A dark Soulslike reimagining of Pinocchio with deep combat, customization, and challenging bosses
Introduction: A Twisted Fairy Tale
Lies of P reimagines the classic Pinocchio tale through a dark Soulslike lens, creating a mature gaming experience that stands apart from traditional adaptations.
Unlike Disney’s family-friendly 1940s animated version or Guillermo del Toro’s 2022 interpretation, this game embraces the original story’s darker elements while transforming them into a brutal action-RPG experience. The familiar characters and themes undergo a complete tonal shift, resulting in a narrative that explores violence, identity, and morality in ways previous adaptations couldn’t approach.
Developer Neowiz crafts a compelling premise where Pinocchio must navigate a city overrun by murderous puppets during a mechanical uprising. Rather than seeking to become a real boy, this version of the wooden protagonist battles to save humanity using Geppetto’s advanced technology against his own corrupted creations.
Game Details & Core Mechanics
The combat system follows established Soulslike conventions with precise timing, stamina management, and pattern recognition at its core. Veterans of FromSoftware titles will immediately recognize the familiar rhythm of combat, though Lies of P introduces several unique mechanics that distinguish it from being merely derivative.
Early gameplay may feel heavily inspired by Bloodborne’s aggressive combat style, but the game gradually reveals its own identity through innovative systems. The progression from imitation to authentic experience mirrors Pinocchio’s own journey toward becoming “real,” creating a satisfying parallel between narrative and gameplay evolution.
Pro Tip: Master the perfect guard timing early—this defensive maneuver not only blocks damage but builds stagger on enemies, creating crucial openings against tough opponents.
World & Atmosphere
Krat, the game’s fictional city setting, presents a visually cohesive but sometimes repetitive environment. The plague-ridden streets filled with corpses and debris establish a grim atmosphere, though the environmental variety could benefit from more distinct landmarks and architectural diversity.
The Hotel serves as the central safe hub where survivors congregate and players can upgrade their capabilities. This location becomes increasingly populated with NPCs as you progress, providing narrative context and side quests that expand the worldbuilding beyond the main storyline.
Common Mistake: Don’t rush through environments—hidden pathways often contain valuable upgrade materials and lore items that enhance both your capabilities and understanding of Krat’s downfall.
Combat & Customization Systems
The weapon customization represents one of Lies of P’s strongest features, allowing players to mix and match handles, blades, and components to create truly unique implements of destruction. This system enables extensive experimentation with move sets and damage types, rewarding creative combinations.
Pinocchio’s Steel Arm provides the game’s most distinctive combat mechanic, serving as a customizable secondary weapon with diverse functionalities. This appendage can be equipped with various tools ranging from grappling hooks to elemental projectiles, fundamentally changing engagement strategies against different enemy types.
P-Organs offer another layer of character specialization, allowing granular control over which skills and attributes to prioritize in your build. This system enables everything from tanky strength builds to agile technical fighters, accommodating diverse playstyles.
Advanced Strategy: Combine technique-oriented weapons with elemental Steel Arms for maximum effectiveness—fast weapons build stagger quickly while elemental damage exploits specific enemy vulnerabilities.
Boss Encounters & Difficulty
Boss battles serve as the game’s primary challenge points, testing both mechanical skill and strategic thinking. The first major boss encounter functions as a skill check that forces players to master core mechanics before progressing further.
The stagger system presents both opportunity and frustration—when an enemy’s health bar glows white, holding the heavy attack button can trigger a powerful stagger. However, execution proves challenging during intense combat, requiring precise timing and safe openings that many bosses rarely provide.
AI companions become available from the second boss onward, providing assistance similar to Spirit Ashes in Elden Ring. These allies distract enemies while you analyze attack patterns and exploit weaknesses, making challenging encounters more manageable without trivializing them.
Boss Strategy: Focus on learning attack patterns during initial attempts rather than dealing damage—survival knowledge proves more valuable than aggressive play in the long run.
Verdict & Audience Recommendation
Lies of P occupies a unique position in the Soulslike landscape—it provides the curated, focused experience of classic Souls games while incorporating modern quality-of-life features. Players accustomed to Elden Ring’s open-world freedom may find the linear structure restrictive, while others will appreciate the tightly designed progression.
The game serves as an excellent introduction to the genre for newcomers, offering challenging but fair gameplay with accessible mechanics. Veterans will appreciate the innovative combat systems and deep customization options that provide fresh strategic considerations beyond traditional Souls formulas.
Reviewed on Xbox Series S
Final Assessment: Lies of P delivers a compelling Soulslike experience that honors its source material while establishing its own identity through innovative mechanics and satisfying combat depth.
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » Lies of P review: No strings on this Pinocchio-themed soulslike A dark Soulslike reimagining of Pinocchio with deep combat, customization, and challenging bosses