Lies of P is a game that I am glad to have played but am left wanting more out of at the end of the day.
The combat system is incredible strong but it felt hindered by pushover regular enemies, well-designed but not worthwhile elites, and bosses who attacked way too erratically and quickly to trust my intuition and reactions, instead forcing me to memorize the boss as opposed to actually engaging with their fights. To be clear, there were still a number of really well-designed bosses but I often finished the fights feeling glad it was over so that I could move on, rather than overjoyed for overcoming a challenge.
The exploration and atmosphere are by far my biggest issue with this game. By the second area, I already came to understand that levels were basically single routes with the occasional shortcut leading to a boss that I probably wouldn't like. The art direction was decent and the shortcuts were useful but I found myself missing the element of discovery that I love in a typical FromSoft title and instead feeling like the game was pretty formulaic with a basic level layout, electric door #36, and then the boss shortly after.
I think another large reason that this game didn't impress me like it did so many others is that I think it played the genre too safe. Lies of P despite a few new mechanics felt like it tried too hard to clone a Fromsoft title and didn't take any risks with introducing its own flair. Frequently, all I could think about while playing was how uncanny the resemblance to Fromsoft titles was and how it didn't match the quality I had come to expect. The atmosphere wasn't as eerie or imposing as Bloodborne, the combat wasn't as tight as Sekiro, and the level design and build variety weren't as impressive as Dark Souls.
Lies of P comes across to me as a game that genuinely does well as a clone and can stand on its own as a very good game that I would recommend to most Soulslike fans who want more of the genre at a high level of polish. I really do believe Lies of P is a good game but I never felt impressed or amazed by it. I saw glimpses of the games I love but I never felt their atmosphere or character or quirks resonate with me in a way that charmed me.
Neowiz is clearly talented and very passionate about their game. I hope they take the opportunity to expand on their success here and cement their own truly unique twist on the genre.
The combat system is incredible strong but it felt hindered by pushover regular enemies, well-designed but not worthwhile elites, and bosses who attacked way too erratically and quickly to trust my intuition and reactions, instead forcing me to memorize the boss as opposed to actually engaging with their fights. To be clear, there were still a number of really well-designed bosses but I often finished the fights feeling glad it was over so that I could move on, rather than overjoyed for overcoming a challenge.
The exploration and atmosphere are by far my biggest issue with this game. By the second area, I already came to understand that levels were basically single routes with the occasional shortcut leading to a boss that I probably wouldn't like. The art direction was decent and the shortcuts were useful but I found myself missing the element of discovery that I love in a typical FromSoft title and instead feeling like the game was pretty formulaic with a basic level layout, electric door #36, and then the boss shortly after.
I think another large reason that this game didn't impress me like it did so many others is that I think it played the genre too safe. Lies of P despite a few new mechanics felt like it tried too hard to clone a Fromsoft title and didn't take any risks with introducing its own flair. Frequently, all I could think about while playing was how uncanny the resemblance to Fromsoft titles was and how it didn't match the quality I had come to expect. The atmosphere wasn't as eerie or imposing as Bloodborne, the combat wasn't as tight as Sekiro, and the level design and build variety weren't as impressive as Dark Souls.
Lies of P comes across to me as a game that genuinely does well as a clone and can stand on its own as a very good game that I would recommend to most Soulslike fans who want more of the genre at a high level of polish. I really do believe Lies of P is a good game but I never felt impressed or amazed by it. I saw glimpses of the games I love but I never felt their atmosphere or character or quirks resonate with me in a way that charmed me.
Neowiz is clearly talented and very passionate about their game. I hope they take the opportunity to expand on their success here and cement their own truly unique twist on the genre.