Bloodbornesits starkly opposite FromSoftware’s other action RPGs due to a number of unique gameplay changes, but primarily because of its Gothic architecture, atmosphere, and Lovecraftian cosmic horror. Therefore, fans of FromSoftware will always be quick to associate aesthetically similar Soulslikes toBloodbornerather thanFromSoftware’s dark fantasyaction RPGs. Some Soulslikes have maintained that essence, but none seem to be emulatingBloodbornemore successfully than Neowiz’sLies of P.
This game looks like the most polished Soulslike to date andLies of P breaks a major Soulslike traditionby featuring a wild interpretation on a known IP.Pinocchiois certainly not the property most fans would think to look forward to in a Soulslike, butLies of P’s dark fantasy is a superb choice with a fair amount ofBloodbornein its genes to flavor it. Indeed,Lies of Pmay never outlive its comparisons toBloodborne, whether that is due to its comparable gameplay mechanics or dark aesthetic, and that could be both a blessing and a curse.
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Lies of P is Emboldened by Its Bloodborne Comparisons
Lies of Pwill get far on itsBloodbornecomparison alone due to the latter game’s drought. It is important to note that there is currently nothing suggesting thatBloodbornewill be revisited, and yet fans are desperately clinging to the idea that it could receive a PC port, a PS5 remake, or a sequel. That is a testament to how seminalBloodborneis, and how badly fans want to see it return.
Lies of PandBloodbornedo actually have separate European settings and periods as aesthetic and architectural inspiration, but they are comparable enough that one can be contrasted with the other in similar environments. It also helps thatLies of P’s Belle Epoque settingis also in a state of dilapidation with bonfires and corpses lying about—though, inLies of P,the corpses littered about are likely all automatons.
It is true that ifLies of Plooked worse than it does it might not bear the same resemblances that fans see in it, or at least it would already be critiqued as falling short ofBloodborne. This shows that fans are looking forward to it due to that merit, specifically, and its gameplay will need to either match or exceed that standard.
Comparing Lies of P to Bloodborne Could Result in Disappointment
However, if fans are holdingLies of PtoBloodborne’s standard they will likely be setting themselves up for disappointment.Lies of Pcould end up being a phenomenal game of its own, but fans who hope for it to be the nextBloodborneand equate one another as such will no doubt be underwhelmed.
It currently seems like the narrative inLies of Pis a huge asset that could carry it further, especially for fans ofPinocchiowho may already know the lore and appreciate any Easter eggs or references thatLies of Ptakes liberties with. If its narrative is not enough to isolate it fromBloodborne, though, then fans will hopefully be able to discern gameplay features between the two that they can appreciate. One way thatLies of Pcould circumvent this fate is by having more FromSoftware influences thanBloodbornealone, and thankfully it does.
Lies of P’s Legion Arms resembleSekiro: Shadows Die Twice’s Shinobi Prosthetic, for example, and there may yet be other familiar features from FromSoftware games waiting for players to find them. Either way,Bloodborneshould not be the end-all-be-all for this aesthetic, andLies of Pwill hopefully open the door to other Soulslikes that are unafraid to dip their toes in similar atmospheres as FromSoftware games that have come before them.
Lies of Pis set to release in 2023 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
