Lies of P is an upcoming Soulslike game inspired by the story of Pinocchio. Though a recent trailer features many of the elements that fans have come to expect from the genre — gothic architecture, a deadly plague, gritty visuals with a muted color scheme — Lies of P also appears to introduce a few innovations that could set it apart from the competition.
One of the game's core mechanics is a "lie" system, which changes elements of the game based on players' actions and dialogue choices. While this may seem like a staple feature for most western RPGs, it's an area that hasn't been explored in many Soulslike games. The worlds of Dark Souls and Bloodborne are somewhat indifferent to the player's presence, typically reverting to their original state as soon as a bonfire is reached. If Lies of P allows players to impact the world in a more permanent way, it could add an interesting twist to the Soulslike genre.
Lies of P Has a Narrator
The announcement trailer for Lies of P is reminiscent of the intro to Darkest Dungeon. A grizzled man bemoans the state of an abandoned city, which has fallen to ruin amidst a deadly plague. This man is likely Geppetto, trudging past piles of rat-infested corpses toward a dilapidated cathedral. After harvesting parts from a mechanical monstrosity, the man puts the finishing touches on a construct of his own and whispers, "Wake up, son."
The construct appears to be a teenage version of Pinocchio, and it seems as though he will be the main character. Developer NeoWiz has already confirmed that Lies of P will be narrated by someone other than the protagonist, which could mean that players will control Pinocchio in a story narrated by Geppetto. This would be a major departure from the typical Soulslike formula, which normally allows players to discover the story through item descriptions and brief snippets of conversation. A narrator would give players a stronger sense of the story, as well as a more concrete idea of what they should be doing next.
How To Lie In a Soulslike
Little has been revealed about how the lie system will affect gameplay in Lies of P, but the decision to make the narrator separate from the protagonist could provide a few hints. The narrator might not always have an accurate understanding of the game's events. He might believe that the protagonist made a particular choice even when players choose to do something else. This is one way that players might be able to "lie," which could affect gameplay difficulty.
The Lies of P trailer also hints that the narrator could eventually become an antagonist. The monstrous creature he slays looks eerily similar to something he might have made. If this is the case, then players might run into a BioShock-style twist where the person controlling their actions turns out to be an enemy. Such a revelation would kick the lie system into high gear, forcing players to choose carefully about when to obey the narrator and when to risk a lie.
With a bevy of Soulslike titles like Thymesia and Elden Ring on the way, NeoWiz will need to work hard to distinguish Lies of P from its competitors. If the choice and dialogue systems are as innovative as they seem, they could go a long way toward making Lies of P feel refreshingly unique.
Lies of P is currently in development for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X.