A Puppet’s Lie Never Felt So Human

Story

The story in Lies of P walks a fine line between clarity and mystery. It tells enough to keep you invested but leaves much to interpretation. That ambiguity feels intentional, almost like the game wants you to feel uncertain about what is real.

You play as P, a puppet who awakens in the ruined city of Krat. A mysterious voice guides you toward a place called Hotel Krat, which serves as your hub and safe haven. From there, you begin unraveling the city’s collapse, the secrets of your creator Geppetto, and the nature of what it means to be human.

The world is steeped in tragedy. The puppets meant to serve humanity have rebelled, leaving the city in ruins. The few surviving humans are either insane, infected, or too far gone to save. It is a story of control, free will, and identity — told through quiet conversations, cryptic notes, and environmental detail.

Where the story struggles is in how fragmented it can feel. The lore is rich but scattered. Major revelations often come in subtle exchanges rather than grand cutscenes. For some players, that is a strength; for others, it can feel distant.

Still, the emotional core works. P’s journey is about more than survival. It is about learning to lie — literally — as a way to understand humanity. The moral choice system, which lets you tell the truth or lie in key moments, shapes the ending and reflects one of the game’s central themes: maybe humanity is defined not by honesty but by choice.

Gameplay

The combat is where Lies of P truly shines. It is precise, deliberate, and brutally satisfying. If you have played Bloodborne or Sekiro, you will feel right at home — but also challenged in new ways.

At its core, Lies of P is a game about timing. Every swing, dodge, and parry feels weighted and deliberate. The parry system in particular is one of the best in any Soulslike. Blocking an attack at the exact right moment does not just prevent damage; it opens the enemy up to counterattacks and even staggers bosses. It is risky, but when you nail it, it feels incredible.

The weapon system adds another layer of depth. Every weapon has two parts — a blade and a handle — and you can mix and match them to create your own playstyle. Want a heavy cleaver on a fast handle? Go for it. Prefer a balanced sword with a defensive stance? That works too. It is a clever system that lets you experiment without breaking balance.

You also have your Legion Arm, a mechanical prosthetic that can be outfitted with special abilities. It can fire grappling hooks, release electricity, or act as a flamethrower. Each arm changes how you approach combat and adds welcome variety without feeling gimmicky.

The game is challenging, but it never feels cheap. Bosses hit hard but follow clear rules. You learn through failure, adapt, and eventually overcome. The satisfaction of finally beating a boss that seemed impossible is one of the best feelings in gaming, and Lies of P delivers that repeatedly.

Most importantly, the game respects your time. There are no endless grind loops or filler enemies. Every area has purpose, every fight feels handcrafted, and every victory feels earned.

Exploration

Exploration in Lies of P is more focused than expansive. This is not an open-world game like Elden Ring; it is a tightly designed series of interconnected zones that reward observation more than wandering.

Each area feels distinct, from the cobblestone streets of Krat to haunted factories and decaying theaters. The level design channels the best of classic Souls architecture — twisting paths, vertical shortcuts, and clever enemy placement that constantly loops back on itself.

While the game’s linear structure might disappoint players looking for sprawling worlds, the payoff is in the density of detail. You will find hidden collectibles, optional NPC encounters, and secret rooms that expand the lore or reward you with valuable upgrade materials.

There is a rhythm to exploration that feels satisfying. You push forward, die, unlock a shortcut, and push again. Each new lamp you activate (the game’s version of bonfires) feels like a milestone rather than a routine checkpoint.

That said, exploration is not the game’s strongest pillar. There are not many incentives to revisit old areas once cleared, and the world, while beautiful, does not evolve dynamically. Still, for a linear game, the design quality is high enough to keep you engaged from start to finish.

Immersion

If there is one thing Lies of P absolutely nails, it is atmosphere. The city of Krat is one of the most visually striking environments in any Soulslike.

Everything feels handcrafted. The architecture combines Victorian elegance with industrial decay. Streets are lit by flickering lamps and the glow of distant fires. The puppets themselves, with their porcelain faces and jerky movements, are both beautiful and horrifying. It is a world you can almost smell the oil, rust, and sorrow.

The music adds another layer of depth. Most of the soundtrack is hauntingly restrained, with soft piano melodies and lonely strings that echo the emptiness of Krat. Occasionally, the game will surprise you with a burst of orchestral intensity during a boss fight, and the contrast hits hard.

The sound design is equally impressive. The clatter of gears, the scrape of metal, and the echo of footsteps in empty halls all contribute to the game’s eerie realism.

Perhaps the most immersive aspect is how consistent the tone is. There are no out-of-place moments, no scenes that break the spell. The melancholy of the world is ever-present but not oppressive. You want to keep exploring, not just to progress, but to soak in the mood of it all.

Even for players who are not typically drawn to darker settings, Lies of P’s atmosphere is mesmerizing. It feels both familiar and foreign, like a fairy tale rewritten as a tragedy.

Replayability

Lies of P offers some replay value, but not as much as more open-ended RPGs.

There are multiple endings based on your choices, especially in how often you choose to lie or tell the truth. That alone makes a second playthrough interesting. There are also several secret weapons and boss soul transformations that encourage experimentation.

However, the lack of different classes or radically different builds limits how much variety you will see between runs. You can change weapons and Legion Arms, but you are still playing the same character with largely the same abilities.

Still, the core combat is so satisfying that many players will replay the game simply to master it or experience the story’s alternate outcomes. And for those who enjoy challenge runs, Lies of P offers plenty of opportunities to test your skill with self-imposed restrictions.

Replayability is solid, but it is not the game’s defining strength. Think of it as a game to savor once or twice, not one you will return to endlessly.

Final Thoughts

Lies of P is proof that the Soulslike genre still has room to grow. It does not rely on FromSoftware’s legacy; it builds its own identity through craftsmanship, atmosphere, and emotional depth.

The story might be a little vague, but it carries surprising weight. The gameplay is tight, challenging, and endlessly rewarding. The world design is gorgeous, and the immersion is nearly unmatched among its peers.

For players who appreciate precision over power fantasy, Lies of P delivers an experience that feels handcrafted in every way. It demands focus but rewards persistence, and its beauty lingers long after you put the controller down.

It may not redefine the genre, but it is one of the best examples of why it still matters.

Even if you arrive late to the game, Lies of P will make you feel right at home in its strange, broken world.