Lies of P este un RPG atmosferic care reinventează povestea clasică a lui Pinocchio, transformând-o într-o narațiune de coșmar impregnată de groază gotică și estetică steampunk. Dezvoltat de Neowiz și Round8 Studio, Lies of P se inspiră din genul Soulslike — gândiți-vă la Dark Souls sau Bloodborne —, combinând mecanici de luptă brutale, design de niveluri complex și o lume profund atmosferică. În această recenzie, vom analiza designul vizual al jocului, gameplay-ul, narațiunea și experiența generală pentru a vedea cum se prezintă pe PS5. Restul recenziei va fi în limba engleză.

Story & Setting

At its core, Lies of P is an imaginative retelling of Carlo Collodi’s Pinocchio, but with a twisted, dark fantasy twist. The story takes place in the city of Krat, a once-vibrant metropolis now consumed by chaos, where humanoid automatons and puppets have turned into dangerous, mindless machines. The city’s descent into madness is the result of a mysterious event, and you, as Pinocchio, are caught in the middle of this unraveling world.

Your journey begins with a simple goal: to find Geppetto, your creator, and discover the truth behind the calamity. However, things quickly grow complicated as the line between truth and lies begins to blur. You’re forced to lie at times to progress, and each lie you tell (or truth you uncover) seems to pull you further away from your goal of becoming human.

The narrative is both captivating and darkly philosophical, exploring themes of identity, morality, and the consequences of deception. Every NPC you meet, every journal entry, and every scrap of dialogue enriches the world and draws you deeper into its mysteries. The game challenges you to question the very nature of humanity, not just through its plot but through the choices you make in interactions.

The pacing of the story is tightly woven into the gameplay, with emotional beats that hit hard during major plot revelations or boss fights. Though it doesn’t rely on overt exposition, the game’s lore is rich and fleshed out through environmental storytelling and cryptic messages scattered throughout the city.

Visuals & World building

On the PS5, Lies of P is an absolute visual triumph. The game’s art direction is one of its most impressive features, with a striking blend of gothic, Victorian-inspired architecture and a grim, steampunk twist. The city of Krat feels both lived-in and abandoned, with crumbling buildings, dark alleys, and eerie mechanical creatures populating the streets.

Lighting plays a critical role in Lies of P, often casting long shadows and providing just enough visibility to keep you on edge. Every corner of the city feels oppressive and haunting, with each area offering new visual delights: rusted factories, fog-covered streets, towering clockwork structures, and eerie mansions.

Character design is equally detailed, especially when it comes to the robots and automatons that populate the world. These twisted, often grotesque mechanical creatures look as though they were once human but have become corrupted, adding an additional layer of unease. Pinocchio himself is designed to be both childlike and unsettling, with his wooden body and expressive, almost human-like face. His appearance evolves throughout the game based on the choices you make, underscoring the themes of transformation and growth.

The animations in Lies of P are fluid and responsive, with combat sequences feeling weighty and impactful. The PS5’s hardware does justice to the intricate design of the environments and the smooth frame rates, ensuring that the game’s dark beauty comes to life without significant performance issues.

Gameplay

Lies of P is heavily inspired by the Soulslike genre, particularly Bloodborne and Dark Souls. This means you can expect methodical, challenging combat, environmental storytelling, and a world that feels both interconnected and relentlessly punishing. The game leans into these influences while adding its own unique mechanics.

Combat in Lies of P is satisfying and brutal. You wield a variety of weapons, from swords and axes to more intricate, customized tools. The combat system is tight, requiring precise timing for attacks, dodges, and parries. The „pulse” mechanic is a standout feature, where you can use a charged attack that allows you to stagger enemies or temporarily slow them down, adding an extra layer of depth to the combat.

The most significant innovation in the combat system is the ability to modify your weapons. As you progress, you can equip your weapons with various parts to change their form and abilities. This customization allows you to adjust your playstyle on the fly, whether you prefer faster, lighter weapons or heavier, slower ones with massive damage output.

The game also features a “puppet” mechanic where Pinocchio’s body can be upgraded using parts, which can enhance various stats like strength, endurance, and health. These upgrades, coupled with the customizable weapons, give the player a lot of freedom in how they approach combat.

Exploration & Progression

Like other Soulslike games, exploration is a key part of Lies of P. Krat is a massive, interconnected world, with different districts to explore. Every area is filled with secrets, hidden paths, and rewards for the curious player, encouraging thorough exploration. Much like Dark Souls, there are shortcuts to unlock, items to collect, and environmental puzzles to solve.

As for progression, the game features a central hub area where you can upgrade Pinocchio, craft new items, and rest. The progression system is tied to the collection of “memory shards,” which are obtained by defeating enemies and bosses. These shards allow you to level up your stats and enhance your capabilities.

Difficulty

The difficulty of Lies of P is substantial. Bosses are punishing but fair, requiring careful strategy and execution to defeat. The game’s combat rewards patience and precision, and if you rush or become too reckless, you’ll be punished. The challenge can be daunting, especially for players new to Soulslike games, but the feeling of overcoming a tough encounter is deeply satisfying.

One caveat is the game’s steep difficulty curve, which may alienate some players. Progression can feel slow at times, particularly when faced with overwhelming odds or punishing enemies. However, this difficulty is ultimately part of the game’s design, making every victory feel hard-earned.

Sound Design & Music

The sound design in Lies of P is effective at building tension and enhancing the dark atmosphere of Krat. The ambient sounds—wind howling through broken windows, the clanging of metal in distant factories—help immerse you in this broken world. Enemy sounds are crisp, with mechanical screeches or ominous footsteps that hint at the threat before you even see it.

The music, composed by several contributing artists, is minimalistic but haunting. There are moments of orchestral grandeur that enhance boss fights and pivotal moments, while most of the game relies on subtle ambient tracks that keep the tension high. The music is far from overpowering, but it serves its purpose in building the game’s bleak tone.

Another welcome addition to the game is the presence of a record player in the main hub area where you can play records obtained from different story lines. Here’s a line-up of those songs:

Final Score: 9/10

Lies of P is a beautifully crafted, atmospheric action RPG that takes a familiar story and turns it into a deep, compelling experience. Its world is rich in lore, the combat is satisfying and rewarding, and its exploration and progression systems provide the player with ample challenges and rewards. While its punishing difficulty may not be for everyone, those who enjoy the Soulslike genre will find much to love here.

With stunning visuals, a gripping narrative, and innovative gameplay mechanics, Lies of P stands as one of the standout titles of 2023 for PS5. It’s a dark, emotionally charged adventure that not only reinterprets the story of Pinocchio but also delivers a fresh, thrilling experience for fans of action RPGs.

Lies of P is a game that will resonate deeply with players who enjoy challenging, atmospheric experiences. It’s a dark, immersive journey that offers plenty of depth for those willing to dive into its world.