Chapter 1: The Competitive Gaming Landscape

As autumn unfolds, gaming enthusiasts are treated to a slew of new releases. Today, titles like Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Spider-Man 2 have garnered rave reviews and impressive sales, captivating players with their immersive environments and stunning visuals. However, amidst this annual barrage of high-profile games, some truly exceptional titles tend to fade into the background, despite initial excitement surrounding their launch.

One such game is Lies of P, which debuted around a month ago. While it had a strong launch, the conversation around it has significantly diminished, except for a handful of passionate supporters on Steam who fervently defend it. Unlike iconic franchises like Spider-Man or Starfield, Lies of P operates on a smaller scale, lacking the widespread recognition that typically drives sales.

The overall reception of Lies of P was less favorable compared to its more mainstream counterparts, yet it still achieved a commendable score of 80 on Metacritic. The initial buzz was palpable, with many of my friends playing it—likely due to its availability on Game Pass. It seemed poised to carve out its niche in the saturated market of Souls-like games and be remembered as something extraordinary.

Now, however, even my friend who is a die-hard Souls enthusiast has shifted his focus to mentioning Lords of the Fallen during our gaming sessions. The game's publisher recently announced in a Steam update that it reached one million sales, which might seem promising at first glance. However, it's essential to consider that Lies of P launched across six platforms, including both current and previous generations of PlayStation and Xbox consoles, as well as PC and Mac. Given its five-year development cycle and the extensive platform reach, one million sales may not meet their expectations.

Chapter 2: An Underappreciated Masterpiece

Having experienced the game firsthand, I believe it deserved far greater sales figures—perhaps with a more aggressive marketing approach or a different release window, it could have achieved this. Lies of P stands out as a remarkable game, delivering the polish and enjoyment expected from a major title, combined with the passion typically seen in indie projects. With its impressive use of Unreal Engine 4 and striking artistic visuals, the game performs exceptionally well, especially compared to Lords of the Fallen, which utilizes the less familiar Unreal Engine 5.

The design and mechanics draw clear inspiration from From Software classics like Dark Souls and Bloodborne, yet Lies of P manages to carve out its unique identity. Combat is faster and more engaging than anticipated, featuring a health penalty for blocking that can be recovered through offensive actions—a nod to Bloodborne's mechanics. Additionally, enemies possess a secondary stamina meter that can be depleted to stun them, reminiscent of Sekiro.

Executing stun attacks involves a multi-step process, requiring a charge attack followed by a precisely aimed standard hit, all accompanied by stunning animations. Players engage more frequently with enemies than in traditional Souls-like games, resulting in exhilarating moments filled with sparks, metal, and oil.

Chapter 3: The Challenge of Branding

Despite its merits, Lies of P faces challenges partly due to its title. Based on the classic story The Adventures of Pinocchio, the name "Lies of P" is both clever and humorous, yet it may not resonate well with broader audiences. The protagonist's design also raises eyebrows, seemingly inspired by a certain famous actor but ultimately being a legally distinct character. The lack of a character creator diminishes some of the personal engagement typically found in similar games.

Moreover, the developers fully embraced the concept of creating a Pinocchio-themed game, an IP that hasn't been particularly popular in recent sales. Nonetheless, fans of Souls-like titles or Bloodborne will likely appreciate Lies of P's offerings. Elements reminiscent of the stunning early trailers for Bioshock Infinite can also be found in some of the level designs and enemy concepts. The soundtrack is beautiful, and the narrative is more accessible than what players might expect from a typical Souls game.

Chapter 4: Conclusion

While it’s understandable that larger titles dominate the current gaming landscape, Lies of P deserves recognition as a well-crafted and engaging experience. Its commitment to the Pinocchio narrative may have hindered its marketing potential, but it successfully establishes its identity as a distinct title. Lies of P is undoubtedly one of the standout action games of the year.

If you enjoy games of this nature and don't mind your character resembling a certain famous actor, Lies of P is worth your time.

This video, titled "We Didn't Deserve Lies of P," explores the game's unique qualities and its overlooked status in the gaming community.

In this video, "Lies of P Reviews - Are The Critics Wrong?" reviewers discuss the game's reception and whether it truly deserves its current standing among other titles.