“Lies of P” is a fairy tale take on the soullike genre – The Daily Texan

“P’s lie” soul-like Developed by Neowiz Studios (Skul: The Hero Slayer) and Round 8 Studio, the game tells the story of the titular liar Pinocchio as he travels through the gruesome city of Krat after the puppets rise up and slaughter their masters. , players are forced to fight to survive and find out what happens. caused an uprising.

Upon entering the world of “Lies of P,” players may notice that the world bears a striking resemblance to FromSoftware’s “Bloodborne,” which is the game’s main influence. From the general European setting to the game’s UI, older fans of the Souls series will have no problem understanding what’s in store for them. That said, “Lies of P” isn’t just a clone of its genre forebears, it deftly differentiates itself by adding new ideas to the soul-like formula.

The most obvious difference from other Soulslike games is in the combat of this project compared to its predecessor. While ‘Bloodborne’ emphasizes hit-and-run tactics, ‘Lies’ encourages players to adopt an aggressive fighting style using parrying mechanics. This unique ability allows players to perfectly block enemy attacks with precise timing and even dismantle enemy weapons if used consecutively. Additionally, evasion mechanics complement this playstyle. Instead of the rolling mechanics familiar to Dark Souls fans, Lies of P favors quick steps into and out of combat. These steps serve not only as escape maneuvers, but also as a means to maintain a smooth tempo and stay close to the target.

The weapon system represents another unique choice among Soullikes. Somewhat similar to Bloodborne’s transforming weapon mechanic, Lies of P offers players a “handle” system where each weapon is separated into a blade and a handle, which players can swap to create custom weapons. can. This change is a welcome surprise and can significantly change combat. Previously unreachable blades can be attached to the handle of the spear, turning it into a longer range weapon. Similarly, heavier blades that take longer to swing can be attached to the knife handle, greatly increasing swing speed. With 29 sets of weapons and handles, this system offers a very diverse combat approach.

The game’s setting also has unique elements that make it stand out. While it may initially seem like a clone of Bloodborne’s Eurocentric design, Lies of P distinguishes itself with its vibrant colors and warm lighting. This departure from Bloodborne’s Lovecraftian horror injects an almost fairytale-like quality into the game, reminding players of the fable that inspired the game.

“Lies of P” may seem highly derivative, but it seizes every opportunity to differentiate itself and serves as an excellent addition to the soullike genre.

9 out of 10 blue fairies