Threads
- Amidst a sea of imitations, Lies Of P emerges as a standout in the Souls-like genre, offering a fresh and captivating gaming experience transcending mere mimicry.
- Lies Of P introduces innovative gameplay mechanics inspired by From Software’s acclaimed titles like Bloodborne and Sekiro, providing players with nuanced defensive options and rewarding precision and strategy.
- This game borrows a lot of aspects from From Software’s games but still manages to make it feel completely unique and a brand-new experience.
From Software struck gold with the introduction of their Souls games, defining a genre celebrated for its cult following, immersive gameplay, and captivating world design. Naturally, their success spawned numerous imitations in the gaming market, yet none quite captured the enchantment woven by Hidetaka Miyazaki.
However, there was one exception. On the 19th of September 2023, Neowiz Games and Round8 Studios unveiled their masterpiece in the Souls-like genre: Lies Of P.
Delving Into The Combat
Souls-like games inherently share similarities in most gameplay aspects, making it challenging to distinguish themselves from the standard dodge-attack-dodge loop pioneered by the genre’s trailblazers. From Software recognized this challenge and responded with two of their finest creations, Bloodborne and Sekiro.
Both games introduced captivating twists to the traditional Souls formula. Bloodborne implemented a rally system that allowed players to regain health by counterattacking after being hit, while Sekiro seamlessly integrated attacking and defending through its posture and parry systems.
The developers of Lies Of P drew inspiration from these innovations. They endeavoured to incorporate the perfect blend of both into their game, alongside other inventive features that we will explore shortly.
The Three Pillars Of Defence
In Lies Of P, when facing an opponent, you are presented with three defensive options: blocking, parrying, or dodging. However, blocking in this game diverges from the traditional shields seen in Dark Souls or Elden Ring.
Opting for the easier blocking route incurs penalties, depleting your health and stamina. The reduction in health is represented by the portion of your HP bar fading, correlating to the damage absorbed, which can be recuperated through flawless parries or by taking an assertive stance and retaliating.
Both defensive manoeuvres hold unique nuances within this game. Should you opt for aggression, be cautious of potential counter-attacks, as a well-timed strike can nullify all recoverable health and inflict the full extent of the attack’s damage.
Parrying in Lies of P not only restores health but also damages the enemy’s posture, allowing for powerful follow-up attacks.
Successful parries can destroy the opponent’s weapon, reducing damage and attack range. These mechanics blend From Software’s combat styles while giving “Lies of P” its identity. Dismissing it as just another Souls-like overlooks its unique experience.
The World And Story
Beyond combat, Lies Of P’s narrative and world design harmonize elements from From Software’s repertoire to near perfection. The world exudes a sombre ambience and boasts intricate lore reminiscent of titles like Sekiro while weaving a comprehensible tale—a hallmark of From’s storytelling prowess.
Without delving into spoilers, Lies Of P offers a fresh interpretation of Carlo Collodi’s mid-century children’s novel, Pinocchio. While drawing inspiration from the source material, the game adds its own unique twist, much like Elden Ring transformed George R.R. Martin’s literary universe into a gaming masterpiece.
Endless Play Styles
Moreover, the inclusion of weapon customization allows players to tailor their playstyles, adding a layer of individuality to the gameplay. Combined with ingeniously crafted yet challenging level design, Lies Of P pays homage to the autonomy cherished by players in From Software’s titles while innovating in its own right.
Evaluation And Critiques
This is not to say that the game is flawless. Some aspects of this game could have been improved, like the dreadfully named P-Organ that locks essential abilities behind a skill tree that can make players feel like the game is too difficult. Players might also find the game too hard at times because of the razor-thin parry windows, which might be reason enough for many players to stop playing this game.
Overall, we feel like Lies Of P is an excellent Souls-like game, which might even surpass the thresholds that its forefathers created in terms of quality. The attention to detail and the thrillingly complex gameplay force us to recommend this game to anyone who is a fan of the Souls-like genre.
Latest Updates
Thank you! Please share your positive feedback. 🔋
How could we improve this post? Please Help us. 😔
Moiz Banoori, with a decade of experience in gaming and tech journalism and a degree in journalism, is a notable figure in the industry. He has contributed to various esteemed platforms, showcasing his expertise in both reporting and opinion writing.
Join Our Community
