Pros
- Tight parry-and-dodge combat with weapon variety
- Leg system adds meaningful build customization
- Strong art direction in Krat-inspired city
- Fair difficulty tuning for soulslike newcomers
Cons
- Boss difficulty spikes frustrate casual players
- Some enemy variety repeats in late game
- Story lore requires optional reading to fully appreciate
Lies of P reimagines Pinocchio as a dark soulslike — mechanical limbs, blood and lies mechanics, and brutal parry windows. This Lies of P review updates July 2026 for PC patches, DLC availability, and honest comparison to Elden Ring scale versus focused linear excellence.
What Is Lies of P?
Lies of P is an action RPG by Neowiz set in the Belle Époque city of Krat. You play Pinocchio awakening amid a puppet frenzy, upgrading mechanical arms and legs, and choosing truth or lie responses that subtly affect narrative tone. Combat follows stamina management, perfect guards, and weapon assembly from blades to greatswords.
Official screenshot — Neowiz (Steam)
Combat and Build Customization
Weapons combine handles and blades with unique movesets. Legion Arms add ranged and utility options — flamethrowers, shields, and grappling hooks. The leg system modifies dodge distance and weight class — deeper than cosmetic swaps.
World and exploration — Neowiz (Steam)
Difficulty sits below Elden Ring open-world spikes but above Hogwarts Legacy action comfort. Boss patterns reward observation; aggressive play without learning tells punishes quickly.
Story, World, and Level Design
Krat blends European architecture with industrial horror — streets, factories, and cathedrals interconnect via shortcuts classic souls fans expect. NPC quests unlock gear and lore fragments; lying sometimes yields easier paths at moral cost.
Art direction competes with Bloodborne vibes without direct imitation — oil lamps, puppet joints, and orchestral score sell atmosphere.
Performance and PC Experience
PC port stabilized after launch with driver-friendly frame pacing. Mid-range GPUs target 60 fps at high settings; ultrawide support and DLSS help budget cards. Controller recommended for parry timing consistency.
Systems and performance — Neowiz (Steam)
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent combat feel | Spiky boss difficulty |
| Deep weapon crafting | Repetitive late areas |
| Unique Pinocchio twist | Lore hidden in items |
| Strong value on sale | Not open-world |
FAQ
Lies of P vs Elden Ring?
Smaller scope, tighter story; Elden Ring wins scale and freedom.
Good first soulslike?
Yes — more guided than FromSoftware baseline.
DLC worth it?
Check current expansion reviews; base game stands alone.
Verdict
Lies of P is the best soulslike alternative for players finished Elden Ring and wanting focused narrative action. Not revolutionary, but polished and respectful of the genre. Recommended on PC and consoles.
Score: 8.7/10 — Best Soulslike Alternative
