We were able to play a few minutes at Lies of P, a video game developed by Neowiz which will be a very dark reinterpretation of Pinocchio. Where the famous puppet will have to fight like in a Dark Souls.
I arrived at gamescom around 9.45 am with one main goal in mind: to play Lies of P, which was treated to an impressive trailer during the opening ceremony. I knew that a demo was available on the Microsoft stand. Problem ? There was only one terminal available and, consequently, an endless queue, proof of immense enthusiasm for this project which assumes itself as the heir to the Dark Souls – that is, particularly demanding action RPGs – and which is centered on Pinocchio (Italian hero of a children’s novel).
I was also told a 2-hour wait before being able to play 10 short minutes at Lies of P. I was finally able to take the controller around 12:30 p.m., motivated by the few positive feedbacks that I had been able to hear here and there while listening. If 10 minutes is too little to fully judge a game, it is enough to say that Lies of P is based on known, but very solid bases.
In any case, they make you want to discover more, knowing that the title will be available in 2023 on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X / S.
A Dark Souls with Pinocchio
Xbox Game Pass
Good news: Lies of P will be available from the day of its release in the Xbox Game Pass.
Lies of P We therefore propose to embody Pinocchio, while he must find Geppetto in a city with an atmosphere much more distressing than the memories you would have of the cartoon adaptation by Disney. In the necessary game of comparisons, one could argue that Lies of P looks a lot like Bloodborne, another offshoot of Dark Souls (also developed by FromSoftware). The first sets consist of ill-famed alleys, populated by strange characters and animated by noises that send shivers down your spine. The Pinocchio myth is depicted here in its most creepy form, far from a children’s story. It’s an interesting approach, provided that the artistic direction, inspired by the Belle Époque, follows from start to finish.
In terms of gameplay, Dark Souls fans will find their mark without worry, as the mechanics are taken almost identically. Between the life bar which reduces very quickly, the endurance gauge to manage well, the dodges, the risky counters or even the experience points to seek from his remains, everything is there. There are also shortcuts to facilitate movement, as well as areas to rest (and revive all enemies in the process). The first confrontations make it possible to take its marks but, very quickly, the tough enemies appear. They ask to consume potions, which are recharged by typing, and to use more powerful special moves.
At first glance, Lies of P does not invent much, at least in the basic elements. But he still strives to reproduce the recipe well. Many have broken their teeth trying to make their own Dark Souls, often due to gameplay that was too perfectible. That’s not the case here. Technically sound, Lies of P relies on smooth movements and responsive controls. These are essential qualities to offer a degree of precision in line with the full-bodied challenge that awaits the players.
Behind this encouraging plinth, Lies of P could — or should — make a difference with his own ideas, linked to his atypical universe and his hero of another genre (personalization will be pushed, we are promised). We think of the lies, which could really fit into the narrative. This is suggested by a press release sent on August 23, which reads: The more lies that are told, the more human players will become, with all that entails in terms of advantages and disadvantages. » Lies of P will visibly propose strong choices having an impact on the condition of Pinocchio, who would lose power by hiding the truth. Unless it’s the other way around…