Lies of P: New gameplay of the great spirits of Neowiz inspired by Pinocchio

Soulslike is now well known to be a popular genre, just as it is now certain that teams small and large are constantly attempting to be a part of the market by mimicking what FromSoftware has done in the past. However, as we have explained several times, not all development teams take these complex action RPGs on the surface and, being aware of their tools, actually try to take a more original and atypical path, sometimes leading to notable successes. We’ve seen it made by Team Ninja with Nioh, which has a more diverse mix of systems, and even standalone games like Salt and Sanctuary have managed to stand out from the crowd, at least in part.

The release of Elden Ring, however, raised the bar even higher, and if previously alternatives to Miyazaki’s games were mostly seen with fair hope, now there are many who initially see them as failed projects, barely making it. offer. something that has never been done before.

Among those who have tried, however, is a Korean team that stands out: 8. Tour Studiois a subsidiary of Neowiz, which is also known for developing Bless Unleashed. And while this MMO isn’t really considered a masterpiece (actually…), the experience gained with 3D titles must have served something, because from the very first trailer shown, Lies of P always seemed to be above and on the shoulders of the rest of the game. Technically competitive.

After a fair amount of waiting, the game’s healthy playability was finally revealed at Gamescom 2022’s Opening Night Live, and instead of demoralizing, expectations were even higher. we have Analyzed Lies of P’s gameplay video trying to understand in detail how the work of this Korean team can position itself in the market.

Pinocchio, played by… Timothee Chalamet?

There storytelling Lies of P still has a dark veil. The only thing certain is that it was partially inspired. Pinocchio, sure, but at the same time it’s clear that the developers have taken tremendous liberties with the plot and setting. The basis of everything seems to be the desire of the protagonist Pinocchio to definitely meet his father Geppetto, but the role of the old puppeteer is not really specified: will he be a supporting character? Antagonist? Or is it something completely different? All we know is that the good P has woken up in a city that has turned into a kind of hell – not only fully human, but also seemingly extremely close to that of French actor Timothee Chalamet for some strange reason. , dominated by mechanical beasts and almost devoid of survivors.

However, emphasis should be placed on “almost”, as there are various variations between trailers and screenshots. characters has been revealed. First, she appears to be the Blue Fairy, with another female character appearing in another scene, and predictably at the center of the story: an old woman disfigured by an unspecified illness.

But it doesn’t seem like there is only one survivor in the game, but there are survivors. all factions, given that in one scene another person was affiliated with an organization due to the pin he was wearing, and an armed band with the logo appeared in one of the additional images. When we consider the factors in the field, we may find ourselves facing a much richer plot than we thought.

If we leave aside for a moment the protagonist’s traits or the assumptions about the story, it’s hard not to dwell on it.Art DirectionIt’s an interesting mix, very similar to the dark tones of Bloodborne’s Yharnam, but often in a more modern urban context. Style is certainly not lacking in this production, and if the story had been inspiring enough, the setting almost alone could have been a great reason to give it a shot. However, thankfully, the game feels anything but disorganized.

Arm Wrestling

Although we link directly to the narrative discussion, it is better to bring up a mechanic that has not yet been discussed in any way by the developers, but highlighted on the official website:use of lies. It is stated that Pinocchio has to lie constantly in order to survive and become human, and this seems to be more than a simple reference to Collodi’s work. It’s reasonable to have multiple options for these “necessary lies” linked to some dialogue, and it will be interesting to see how and if they will affect progress.

However, true flab, understandably, warLies of P seems to be based on a more technical and action-oriented system than average. For example, the tempo seems noticeably higher than the classic soul-like ones, with very mobile and aggressive enemies more closely reminiscent of Bloodborne. instant parade Among the defensive maneuvers that could indicate a string of multiple attacks by opponents close to that seen in Sekiro or the last Thymesia. It’s hard to say how centralized parry will be between defensive maneuvers, but we suspect it’ll be a hybrid system that can mostly be adjusted to the player’s defensive preferences. The game doesn’t seem to be devoid of normal healing items if nothing else, and there isn’t currently any type of attack regen system, so the mechanics will be classic ones, at least as far as life points are recovered. your kind.

The rest is much more special: weaponry they are extremely diverse and there are apparently 30 basic types that can be made into 100 different instruments of death. Such “changes” are most likely basic system He was seen in the trailer, as Pinocchio had a kind of dynamo, the opportunity to improve his knives or himself during a fight. The use of these upgrades also seems to consume a certain bar of energy apart from classic stamina and does not rule out the possible existence of a craft and weapon enhancement system. With more than thirty sets of basic moves, if similar changes lead to an increase in combinations and techniques available, we might have something extraordinarily detailed on our hands. This possibility excites us.

However, there is another central system in the Neowiz and Round 8 title: arm. In the game, Pinocchio has a mechanical arm, and it seems that it can be replaced with various functions: this base is a Herculean power that seems to allow your alter ego to break through steel doors with enviable ease, but we also see in the video an addition to this useful power. powerful electric discharge and a hook called the Puppet String (perhaps confirmation of the existence of a jump and air combination) that allows you to instantly approach an opponent while hovering. Arms use separate batteries (they’re in the same healing menu, not elemental powers) and have a limited charging bar that prevents them from abusing their abilities; If implemented properly, they can significantly increase offensive approaches.

It will also be necessary to understand its benefits. Torch Your protagonist, which apparently includes Jiminy Cricket and lights up in the presence of enemies. There may be a way to make navigation easier or justify a certain use of the interface, but who knows.

Finally, nothing to criticize technical sector: production values ​​are clearly remarkable, particles are extremely precise, very fluid animations and overall detail in all respects. Definitely this team knows its business from a graphic point of view, there is no doubt about it.