Initial Release Date: September 19th, 2023
Developers: Neowiz Games, Round 8 Studio
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S
Engine: Unreal Engine 4
Publishers: Neowiz Games, Fireshine Games
Mode: Single-player video game
Genres: Action Role-playing, Adventure, Fighting
I must preface this short review for Lies of P’s Demo by telling you I didn’t complete it 100%. Truth is, after twenty minutes or so I knew this was the closest video game I played to the legendary Bloodborne. With that said, I did play the demo for over an hour and it’s pretty damn solid.
I’m not saying Lies of P will review good or great when the full game releases this September 19th on the PC, current, last gen consoles minus the Switch. I am talking about “feel” strictly related to Bloodborne.
Lies of P’s demo takes the latter crown. If you didn’t know Lies of P is based on the story of Pinocchio. The demo references many of the characters throughout my childhood Pinocchio books, Disney movies. The demo covers two full Chapters from the beginning of the game that’s suppose to be around two hours worth of content.
Lies of P feels nothing like the tanky methodical Dark Souls style of games instead for a more quicksteps and dodges. You must learn the perfect block and be able to parry boss attacks when they turn red. So yeah, there is some Sekiro DNA within Lies of P’s gameplay mechanics as well.
Story-wise the demo didn’t get into that a whole lot. Sophia revives Pinochio via Ergo on a train then informs him to meet her at a hotel. There are newspaper document collectibles scattered about the first two chapters which contribute to world building.
At the demo’s beginning you can select between three different combat styles. I choose balanced with a rapier. Nope I didn’t try the Dex or Strength styles. The balanced combat style felt solid for the most part. I was able to destroy mobs of Puppet enemies fairly easily.
Enemy variety is that of steampunk mechanical looking puppets of all sizes and shapes. You have suit wearing civilian cane puppets, rabid dog-like puppets. You also have larger mini-boss baton officer puppets. And last but not least you have giant boss-like puppets.
I played the Lies of P demo on my Playstation 5 in performance mode. Dodging with Pinocchio’s hit boxes were surprisingly great. I was dodging through, under and around the sweeping melee attacks of the Parade Master with no jank. Lies of P comes pretty damn close to Bloodborne’s hit boxes. Game just feels great.
Visually, Lies of P asides from using too much blur actually nails it’s atmosphere and art throughout Krat Central Station. Lies of P has a classic steampunk look that I really thought was nice along with enemy models and surrounding architecture.
As for gameplay challenge it’s there. Lies of P has a similar challenge level as Bloodborne did. As for mobs Lies of P’s seems to stick to you faster and longer often gangbang killing you almost instantly if you get trapped in a corner.
Stargazers are basically bonfires where you can level up Pinocchio with vitality, vigor etc. You can switch between P’s items via his belt. Pinocchio’s right arm seems set for future weapons like Sekiro’s I’m thinking. You can power up sword attacks by holding the block button + triangle (PS5).
But yeah, I have played probably every Souls-Like video game. Lies of P is easily the closest to Bloodborne’s DNA that I played. With that said a lot can change by Lies of P’s release date for better or worse. So far, so good – Jason
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