Lies of P: A Twist of the Classic Formula
Nate R.-Guillen
Five Star Journal
There’s no doubt that the Dark Souls series hasn’t had an impact on the gaming community. One of many impacts that it has caused is the birth of the “Souls–like'' genre. Which, by its name, is a game similar to Dark Souls. While there have been many throughout the years, like Nioh Series and Remnant: From the Ashes. There has been one that has skyrocketed to the top of the Souls-like genre: Lies of P. This game has been able to feel almost like a Souls game and has its own unique twist to differentiate itself from other games in the most oversaturated genre. That being its amazing combat/weapon system, merable bosses, and an intriguing story.
First, let’s talk about the weapons in this game, as they are one of the major highlights in Lies of P. In most Souls-Like—and the Dark Souls series itself—weapons are regulated into two classes: regular and boss. Regular weapons are ones that can be found throughout the world and don’t have a uniqueness to them. While boss weapons are on the other side of the spectrum, they have different abilities and something different movesets (A moveset is the way a weapon is fought with). However, in Lies of P that is throughout the window, as each weapon has its own unique moves and abilities. For example, the three starter weapons the Puppet Saber, the Puppet Greatsword, and the Puppet Fencing Sword. All of these weapons have their own special moves and attacks. The saber is the balance of the two other weapons; the greatsword is slow but powerful, and the fencing sword is agile and block-heavy. Yet there’s more! Each weapon you find is split up into two parts: a Blade and a Handle. This is where the weapon system gets truly amazing. As you are able to mix max blades and handles to create your own one-of-a-kind playstyle. Say you love the moveset of the greatsword but not the blade. Switch it out for the saber. So now you swing like a greatsword by having the attack power and abilities of the saber. It’s my favorite mechanic in the game, and I love finding new weapons to switch around to create a powerful weapon or dump like the rocket-powered wrench.
The Dark Souls games are well known for their unforgettable bosses and enemies, like Lord Gwyn and Artorias, the Abyss Walker. Lies of P is able to make its own memorable bosses. Of all the bosses that I’ve fought, three have stuck out: The Parade Master, The Black Rabbit Brotherhood, and the Puppet King. First, there is the Parade Master, who is actually the very first boss of the game and is a perfect mood-setter. He is a massive puppet who has the appearance of a fat “Parade Master.” He wears a red coat that doesn’t fit over his stomach, a tall top hat that acts like a chimney, and a cage on his back. Up to this point, all the puppets we’ve seen have been rundown or falling apart. But the Parade Master is fully intact and almost looks pristine. This shows us that there is a hierarchy to the puppets. Yet while the puppets are the main enemies of the game, there are a few humans that have survived the Puppet Frenzy. The most powerful group is Black Rabbit Brother. A group of five humans have taken it upon themselves to take over what remains of the city. Each member of the Brotherhood is unique in both their playstyles and personalities. Yet all together there is a formidable foe, as when you fight the Eldest, the other members will jump in. And at the end when the Eldest falls, the others rush to his aid, showing that while they are in a broken city, they still care for each other. Without further ado, there is the infamous Puppet King. That is regarded as both the coolest and hardest bosses in the game. The Puppet King was one of the game's major milestones and that shows how he’s introduced. You enter the city’s theater to find the stage set up with blank puppets. Till the lights shine on a puppet version of Geppetto and Picnocio has Geppetto places a puppet heart in Picnocio. And as the puppet springs up to life, a massive robot drops from the ceiling. He is a giant that is made out of gold and beautiful red fabric. However, as the giant falls to the ground, something within begins breaking out. A slim humanoid puppet pops out of the giant’s chest. He has golden hair and has pricing red eyes. This is the true Puppet King.
Lastly, there is the story of Lies of P, which is funny enough and very similar to the original story of Pinocchio, that of a puppet wanting to be a real boy. Yet, this version of Picnocio is a lot darker. It is set in the broken city of Krat, which is best described as London with more trams and tall buildings. However, Krat has been ravaged by the Puppet Frenzy. The Puppet Frenzy is when all of the puppets suddenly attack the citizens of Krat and eventually take over the city, with the last safe haven being the towering Hotel Krat. Throughout the story, Picnocio is given the choice either to lie or to tell the truth. By telling the truth, Picnocio is giving in and saying that he will never be a real boy; however, choosing to lie is Picnocio choosing to push against his puppet ways and become a real boy. This is shown in two ways, with Picnocio’s hair growing longer and gray and a picture of Picnocio where his nose grows longer than everything you lie. Some of your lies have minor consequences, and others change the course of the story. So, overall, there is a moral choice in Lies of P: choosing to tell the truth for the sake of telling the truth or lying to become more human.
