In a year full of incredible games, Neowiz’s SoulslikeLies of Pproved to be one of the stand-out titles of 2023. This original and clever take on the story ofPinocchio, presenting a dark, Lovecraftian world coupled with impressive soulslike gameplay, proved to be a hit with fans and critics. It didn’t take long for the game’s director, Jiwon Choi, to announce that work on both DLC and a full-blown sequel is already underway, but since then details for either have been scarce. With the DLC likely to arrive significantly faster than the sequel, fans won’t be playing aLies of Psequel any time soon, but hopefully, the long road to it will be entertaining nevertheless.
Lies of P’s story sees Pinocchio battling hordes of mechanoidson the streets of the fictional city of Krat, all while searching for his creator, Geppetto, and trying to uncover the truth behind his origins. The game’s conclusion contained a teaser featuring what appears to be Dorothy from the infamousWizard of Oz, leading many to think she will be the series' next protagonist. Whether this comes to fruition in the DLC or the sequel is unknown, but it certainly opens the door to an interconnected world based on retellings of classic stories.
Lies of P Has a Bright Future Ahead
DuringLies of P’s initial launch period, despite its positive reviews, some felt it was too hard, even for a Soulslike. The game contains some steep difficulty spikes throughout its roughly 30-hour campaign, and a lack of accessibility mechanics means that if a player gets stuck, their options are limited.
Imposing late-game boss fights against the likes of The King of Puppets, Simon Manus, and Laxasia the Complete serve as huge roadblocks for many players. To the developer’s credit, though, several patches were released to try and combat this. While the jury remains out on whether this was enough to fix the issue, it certainly hasn’t dampened the overall mood surrounding the game, or its future sequels.
Early reveals of gameplay footagedrew comparisons with FromSoftware’sBloodborne, a title that many consider to be among the best PS4 exclusives ever made. These early comparisons proved completely justified, with the end product indeed invoking strong memories of Hidetaka Miyazaki’s twisted world of Yharnam, thanks to its similar tone and aesthetic. Instead of simply settling for being known as aBloodborneclone, however,Lies of Pmanaged to create its own identity and set the groundwork for a sequel and a connected world.
Lies of P Has Plenty of Options for Content
The inclusion of Dorothy during the game’s post-credits scene generated considerable excitement around the possibility ofan interconnectedLies of Pworld, featuring famous characters from fairy taleslikePinocchioandThe Wizard of Oz.
Rumors are swirling around other famous stories that could be used, with the likes ofPeter Panbeing mentioned. Right now, there’s no timeline in place for either the DLC or the sequel, but with the game marking its first anniversary in August, it certainly isn’t unrealistic to expect the DLC to arrive within the next 12 months. Whether this DLC focuses on the character of Pinocchio once more, leaving Dorothy for the sequel, remains unknown.
There’s also the possibility thatDorothy andThe Wizard of Ozthemesare specifically for the DLC, with the sequel focusing on something else entirely. Should these future related projects manage to build on the series' lore, while enhancing the gameplay even further and introducing new elements, then the road to the game’s sequel will likely feel like a nice and short one for fans, however long it turns out to be.
Lies of P
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Lies of P is a thrilling soulslike that takes the story of Pinocchio, turns it on its head, and sets it against the darkly elegant backdrop of the Belle Epoque era.You are a puppet created by Geppetto who’s caught in a web of lies with unimaginable monsters and untrustworthy figures standing between you and the events that have befallen the world of Lies of P.You are awakened by a mysterious voice that guides you through the plagued city of Krat - a once lively place that has been poisoned by madness and bloodlust. In our soulslike, you must adapt yourself and your weapons to face untold horrors, untangle the unfathomable secrets of the city’s elites and choose whether to confront predicaments with the truth or weave lies to overcome them on the journey to find yourself.
