Newbie developers keep trying to push the hype around the soul-like genre, and there’s no shortage of imitators echoing FromSoftware’s style. Round8 Studio stepped into that arena with Lies of P, a project that immediately signaled a serious take on the genre. Pinocchio’s adventures looked promising, yet the creators’ modest experience sparked concerns. Now the game is out and available to players everywhere. So, did it turn out to be another unoriginal clone or something with real depth? Here is a clear take.
Is the fairy tale about Pinocchio canceled?
Lies of P reimagines the familiar Pinocchio story with a modern, darker twist. The old tale is transformed by moodier tones and grotesque flourishes, while Geppetto, known here as Papa Carlo, stands out not just as a craftsman but as a pivotal figure behind Krat’s power. A revolutionary substance, ergo, underpins a new factory of dolls and launches him into a position of influence in the city of Krat.
Geppetto’s ascent reshapes society as robots take over many daily tasks, from cleaning to moving heavy containers, changing how ordinary people live. Yet the true nature of ergo remains a mystery and is expected to drive key plot points as the story unfolds.
Pinocchio awakens on a moving train, and uncertainty swirls. The city burns, dolls turn violent, and a dispersed group of survivors led by Geppetto and a enigmatic girl named Sofia hide in a luxurious hotel. The plot echoes certain familiar vibes from other games, but this remains a distinct journey with its own path to tread.
From early on, the game sets itself apart from the source material. Small nods exist for purists, such as masked two-faced hunters and symbolic elements like a money tree, as well as a few characters who recall certain archetypes. Beyond these hints, Lies of P carves out an entirely new adventure.
In moments, the game delivers cinematic scenes that stand out. The narrative unfolds at a comfortable pace, lacking the abundance of notes seen in some other projects, but offering enough lore through environmental storytelling to support a rich world without over-explaining everything.
The title’s intrigue lies not only in its story but also in how it handles its world. The setting blends the unsettling with the fantastic, inviting players to piece together the mystery of ergo and its impact on both the city and its inhabitants. The world design supports exploration while leaving room for surprises as the plot advances.
As the plot thickens, a recurring theme emerges: the game implies truth and deception are part of the journey. Players will occasionally face choices related to honesty, with outcomes tied to weapons and rewards in a way that shapes the endgame while keeping most cutscenes consistent in structure and tone.
Yet the narrative is not the sole focus. The gameplay is equally important, offering a thoughtful mix that invites players to test their combat and strategy while navigating this eerily beautiful world.
What other fairy tales would you like to see reimagined in a soul-like format?
What do Lies of P and other soulslikes have in common?
Core combat in Lies of P delivers several surprises. The developers pull from a proven playbook while delivering fresh sensations. A key influence is a precise blocking system that emphasizes timing and rhythm, with opportunities for immaculate parries and well-timed dodges that require careful execution rather than mindless sprinting around enemies.
The game also offers a broad arsenal. Along with a variety of weapons and consumables, Pinocchio gains access to a range of abilities that unlock gradually, deepening the combat with each encounter.
To summarize the core tools: expandable prosthetic limbs with distinct traits, weapons that can be combined with different handles, a modular grinding mechanism for elementization, a gem-based magic cube for temporary boosts, and skill progression through mechanical upgrade points in the Pi system. The breadth of options creates a richly tactical combat loop that rewards experimentation.
Despite the ambition, the experience isn’t flawless. Early play reveals notable issues that can affect pacing and satisfaction as players become more immersed in the battle system.
The basic combat revolves around dodging, blocking, and perfect-block opportunities that resemble a parry without an immediate counterattack. Players naturally seek consistent timing for optimal blocks, but the tempo can be unforgiving, especially against stronger foes. The reward for perfect blocks is real, but it isn’t guaranteed to tilt a fight in the player’s favor every time, making judgment calls and risk assessment essential.
In the demo and early play, some bosses showed a noteworthy demand for precision and timing, while dodges occasionally fell short of expectations. With more practice and better understanding of enemy patterns, players can still dodge effectively and capitalize on openings, but the system remains more punishing than a casual experience.
One persistent issue is hitbox clarity and occasional inconsistent hit detection. It can feel unreliable whether an attack connects or not, which disrupts the rhythm of fights. Opponents are eager to anticipate and counter player movement, adding a layer of tension to every encounter.
Animation timing also plays a role. Some moves lock the player into an animation long enough for enemies to punish, and bosses often retain their own animation windows that feel immune to interruption. This creates a tension between reaction time and the need to commit to powerful attacks, a contrast that defines the soulslike challenge in Lies of P.
It’s easy to compare Lies of P with other entries in the genre. While there are similarities, the game introduces its own twists, particularly through its unique prosthetic set and weapon customization. The result is a combat system that can be deeply satisfying for players who invest time to master it, even as it tests skills and patience in equal measure.
Visually, Lies of P presents a striking aesthetic. The world is richly detailed, with moody streets and sprawling industrial zones balanced by moments of grand design. The performance is solid, maintaining a steady frame rate that helps the experience feel more polished than many contemporaries in the field.
Overall, Lies of P carries the familiar weight of a soullike while injecting creative mechanics and a darker, more ornate atmosphere. It marks a strong debut for Round8 Studio and sets the stage for further experimentation. Yet it also raises the bar for future installments, pushing for deeper combat, more dynamic storytelling, and a broader range of ideas beyond faithful homage.
In the end, Lies of P stands as a bold entry in the genre. It is not a carbon copy but a bold reimagining that threads together a curious story, inventive tools, and a combat system that will reward players who embrace its tempo and nuance.