Lies of P

A dark, twisted take on Pinocchio wrapped in a brutal Soulslike shell — Lies of P is as beautiful as it is merciless.

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Lies of P – I Died 87 Times, and That’s Fine
Let me just say this upfront: I am not a Soulslike pro. I’m the guy who rage-quit Sekiro halfway through and never looked back. But Lies of P? Something about it kept pulling me in, even after the game reminded me — over and over — that I’m bad at dodging.

So yeah, I died. A lot. But I also fell in love with the vibe, the combat, and the world. And I think that’s kind of the point.

So... Pinocchio With a Sword?
Yep. That’s the pitch. But it’s way cooler (and darker) than it sounds. Lies of P takes the old Pinocchio story, rips it apart, dips it in oil and soot, and rebuilds it as this twisted, gothic action RPG set in a decaying city called Krat.

You’re not a boy trying to become real — you’re a puppet trying to survive. Everyone’s lost their mind, machines have gone rogue, and nothing about the world feels safe or sane.

It’s weird. It’s creepy. And it works.

The Combat: Weighty, Mean, and Super Satisfying
Let’s talk about fighting, because it’s what you’ll be doing 90% of the time. Combat in Lies of P is all about timing, spacing, and reading enemies. Parrying feels amazing — when you land it. Miss it, and you’ll get smacked hard.

Weapons are fully customizable. You can mix blades and handles to create some really wild combos. I started with a plain ol’ sword and ended up wielding what looked like a bread knife welded to a sledgehammer.

There’s no stamina bar (which I loved), but you still have to manage tempo. Button-mashing won’t save you here — I learned that the hard way.

And bosses? Oh man. They are mean. Creative. Huge. Sometimes straight-up unfair. But never boring.

The World: A Sad, Beautiful Nightmare
Krat is probably my favorite thing about the game. It’s broken, stylish, and filled with this melancholy atmosphere I couldn’t shake. Every street feels like it has a story, even if no one’s left alive to tell it.

The art direction is peak Victorian steampunk — fancy coats, glowing eyes, creaking puppets, huge brass gears turning in the background. If Bloodborne and Bioshock Infinite had a weird, gloomy child, this would be it.

Exploration is rewarding too. Hidden doors, optional bosses, cryptic NPCs — there’s a lot to discover if you take your time. And the game actually wants you to pay attention. Some choices in dialogue genuinely affect your path.

The Lie System (Yes, It’s a Thing)
One of the coolest parts of Lies of P is that your character can lie — and lying changes stuff.

Do you comfort a terrified person with a gentle lie? Or tell the harsh truth? The more you lie, the more human you become… and that matters. I won’t spoil what that leads to, but trust me — the decisions feel meaningful.

There’s even a mechanic where the game subtly tracks your morality through these choices. It’s not black-and-white like most games. It’s murky. I liked that.

Stuff I Liked
Combat: Tight, challenging, and full of style.

Setting: Krat is haunting and gorgeous.

Storytelling: Subtle and strange, in a good way.

Customization: You can really tweak your playstyle.

Lie system: A small thing, but it adds personality.

Stuff That Made Me Swear at My Screen
Difficulty spikes: Some bosses felt wildly harder than others.

Camera: Gets wonky in tight corners. A few deaths were definitely the camera’s fault, not mine (okay, maybe partially mine).

Checkpoints: A bit stingy in places. Losing 30 minutes of progress sucks.

Final Thoughts: Worth It, If You’re Ready to Suffer (A Little)
Lies of P made me mad, made me impressed, and made me want to keep playing — sometimes all in the same hour.

If you’re someone who enjoys figuring things out on your own, taking your time, and facing some serious challenges head-on, this one’s worth diving into. It’s a rough ride, but a memorable one.

And honestly? Seeing a story you think you know turned into something this dark and stylish is just… cool.

So yeah, I died 87 times. Probably more. But I don’t regret a single one.

If you’re playing too, let me know how you’re surviving out there in Krat. Or if you’re just watching from the sidelines, wondering whether it’s worth it — maybe this is your sign to step into the fog.

Just don’t expect it to be easy.