Lies Of P Review
A Clockwork Fairy Tale, Drenched in Blood
Developer: NEOWIZ Games | Platform: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S | Release Date: September 2023
Narrative And Worldbuilding
Pinocchio reimagined as a Soulslike? Against all odds, it works.
Set in the haunting Belle Époque-inspired city of Krat, Lies of P weaves a grim, twisted tale loosely inspired by Carlo Collodi’s Pinocchio. You play as P, a puppet searching for Geppetto, unraveling dark secrets about human ambition, soul mechanics, and the collapse of a once-glorious city. The storytelling is subtle and layered, rewarding players who dig into side quests, item descriptions, and environmental storytelling. Fans of Bloodborne will feel right at home in this brooding, lore-dense world.
Gameplay And Mechanics
Precise, punishing, and delightfully mechanical.
This is very much a Soulslike, with methodical combat, tight parry windows, and strategic stamina management. But Lies of P adds its own flair: customizable mechanical arms (Legion Arms), weapon fusion, and a morality system (“lying”) that actually impacts the narrative and ending. The perfect guard system feels incredibly satisfying but unforgiving until mastered. Boss fights are the highlight — brutal, grotesque, and demanding full focus.
Visuals and Art direction
Gothic elegance meets automaton horror.
The art direction is outstanding. Krat is a tragic beauty, with gaslit streets, rusting puppet factories, and grand cathedrals fallen into ruin. The puppet enemies are both tragic and terrifying, often evoking subtle emotion as much as fear. Every location oozes atmosphere, and visual cues often hint at hidden lore.
Sound Design And Music
Haunting lullabies echo through metal and mayhem.
The score is rich with melancholic piano themes and orchestral swells that mirror the game’s tragic tone. Sound design is crisp — from the hiss of steam-powered limbs to the crunch of sword against puppet shell. Optional collectible records let you literally change the soundtrack in your hub, a beautiful little touch.
Favourite Boss
Nameless Puppet – A Boss Worth Remembering
The Nameless Puppet, the true final boss of Lies of P, is one of those encounters that really sticks with you. Not just because it’s tough (and trust me, it is), but because it ties together the game’s themes in such a meaningful way.
This boss throws everything at you — fast combos that are really fun to parry, relentless aggression, and a second phase (reminded me of Malenia) that hits like a truck. But what makes it so memorable isn’t just the difficulty. It’s the emotion behind the fight. The music, the setting, the backstory… it all comes together in a way that feels personal.
Without spoiling too much, this battle makes you reflect on the choices you’ve made throughout the game. It’s not just a test of skill — it’s a test of what kind of character you’ve become. The design is beautiful, eerie, and tragic all at once, and the fight feels like it truly means something.
Performance
Mostly smooth sailing, with a few splinters.
The game runs well across platforms, though early patches addressed some stuttering and hitbox inconsistencies. Controls are responsive, though the dodge/parry system has a learning curve. Menus are clean and easy to navigate, though a “compare gear” feature would’ve helped. Personally, I’ve only had a minor frame drops in huge open areas like the entrance to the Exhibition.
Pros:
Beautiful, oppressive worldbuilding
Deep combat system with weapon customizations
Rich lore with impactful choices
Some of the best boss designs in recent Soulslikes
Cons:
Slight hitbox issues on a few bosses
Weak enemy variety in some areas
Reused bosses
Weak endgame areas
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Final Rating
Lies of P is more than a Bloodborne or Sekiro clone — it’s a love letter to the genre, filtered through a chilling fairy tale lens. Its mechanics are challenging but fair, and its world invites players to linger, question, and speculate. A must-play for Soulslike fans craving something fresh yet familiar.
Score: 8/10
