Lies of P was released in September 2023 and immediately struck a chord with fans of action RPGs, particularly those who enjoy games like Bloodborne, Dark Souls, or Sekiro. The game’s premise, a grim retelling of Pinocchio in a dark, industrial world, is already very intriguing. It also took full advantage of music and vinyl players and the custom mix-and-match combat and weapon systems that drew the comparison to Bloodborne from the get-go.
In the base game, Lies of P establishes a strong foundation with its weapon assembly system, but it primarily focuses on using existing combinations within a structured framework. Although the exact details have not yet been confirmed, if the DLC introduces new weapon parts — handles, blades, and possibly entirely new mechanics — it could open up new creative possibilities for players that would parallel Bloodborne’s DLC, The Old Hunters.
The Shift to Expansion Over Retirement Would Make the Progression Synonymous With Bloodborne’s DlC
In Bloodborne, the base game featured a solid arsenal, but it was the DLC that introduced experimental, complex weapons like the Whirligig Saw and Simon’s Bowblade. These additions didn't just expand the arsenal, but they also encouraged players to reimagine combat and experiment with previously unexplored tactics. Lies of P's DLC could transform its customization system similarly.
Bloodborne introduced weapons that catered to underrepresented playstyles, such as ranged or heavy-damage strategies. If Lies of P introduces blade and handle types that fundamentally alter gameplay dynamics (e.g., ranged mechanics, elemental effects, or trick-style transformations), it will echo how Bloodborne fundamentally shifted its gameplay landscape with its DLC weapons too. The unsaid similarity between the two becomes more relevant here because, up until now, Lies of P hasn’t offered the same level of extreme mechanical variance.
Both Games Thrive on Thematic Parallels
Both Lies of P and Bloodborne thrive on similar familiar tropes with dark, twisted aesthetics. Bloodborne has its Lovecraftian and Victorian horror, and Lies of P with its steampunk and gothic reinterpretation of classic tales along with the use of music, ends up giving off similar vibes. The introduction of new weapons in Lies of P's DLC might also bring a thematic edge, and tie them to the story, much like Bloodborne's DLC tied new weapons and items to its lore.
For instance, if Lies of P incorporates weapon designs inspired by Dorothy or other Wizard of Oz motifs (e.g., a whip-like blade resembling a tornado or elemental weapons like Ruby Spark), it would mimic Bloodborne’s approach.
Better Weaponry Additions Would Take Lies of P's Strategic Combat up a Notch
In Bloodborne, the DLC weaponry gave way to a new combat strategy and allowed Bloodborne players to reengage with the game in fresh ways. While Lies of P already supports this with its weapon customization, the current system has practical limitations based on the existing pool of blades and handles. The following are a few examples of how this might be realized:
- A blade with a passive life-steal effect might pair with a high-speed handle for health-regenerating and aggressive gameplay.
- A handle with a charged, ranged projectile attack might redefine how ranged combat works in Lies of P.
- Entirely new archetypes, like transforming weapons (akin to Bloodborne’s Trick Weapons), could push the mix-and-match mechanic into uncharted territory.
Lies of P
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 82 /100 Critics Rec: 88%
WHERE TO PLAY
Lies of P is a thrilling soulslike that takes the story of Pinocchio, turns it on its head, and sets it against the darkly elegant backdrop of the Belle Epoque era.
You are a puppet created by Geppetto who’s caught in a web of lies with unimaginable monsters and untrustworthy figures standing between you and the events that have befallen the world of Lies of P.
You are awakened by a mysterious voice that guides you through the plagued city of Krat - a once lively place that has been poisoned by madness and bloodlust. In our soulslike, you must adapt yourself and your weapons to face untold horrors, untangle the unfathomable secrets of the city's elites and choose whether to confront predicaments with the truth or weave lies to overcome them on the journey to find yourself.
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One
- Genre(s)
- Soulslike
- How Long To Beat
- 20 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- File Size Xbox Series
- 35 GB (November 2023)
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
