Lies of P Gifts for Holiday 2025
When Lies of P first arrived, it felt like a bold statement: a studio outside of FromSoftware attempting to craft a Soulslike that could stand shoulder to shoulder with the genre’s titans. What we got was more than just a competent homage—it was a game with its own voice, its own identity, and a willingness to take risks. Now, with the release of the Overture DLC, Round8 Studio has doubled down on its vision, expanding the world of Krat and deepening the lore in ways that feel both satisfying and ambitious.
The story of Lies of P is what immediately sets it apart. This isn’t just another grimdark fantasy; it’s a twisted retelling of Pinocchio, a children’s tale reimagined as a gothic nightmare. You play as P, a puppet created by Geppetto, navigating the ruins of Krat—a city that once thrived during its Belle Époque but now lies in decay, consumed by the horrors of the Puppet Frenzy and the Petrification Disease. The setting is breathtaking in its melancholy. Every street corner, every shattered storefront, every blood-stained alley tells a story of beauty turned to ruin. It’s a world that feels alive even in its death throes, and the environmental storytelling is some of the best the genre has seen in years.
The narrative is layered and morally complex. The Lie System, which allows players to choose between truth and deception, isn’t just a gimmick—it’s a mechanic that shapes the game’s endings and influences how characters perceive you. These choices carry weight, and they force you to think about what it means to be human in a world where humanity itself is crumbling. It’s rare for a Soulslike to make you pause and reflect on your decisions beyond survival, but Lies of P does exactly that.
Combat is where the game truly shines. It borrows inspiration from Bloodborne and Sekiro, but it isn’t afraid to innovate. The Weapon Assembly system is a stroke of genius, allowing you to mix and match blades and handles to create weapons that suit your playstyle. This isn’t just cosmetic customization—it fundamentally changes how you fight. Pair that with Legion Arms, mechanical prosthetics that grant unique abilities like grappling hooks or elemental blasts, and you have a combat system that feels both familiar and fresh. Perfect parries are the beating heart of this design, rewarding precision and timing with devastating counterattacks. It’s a system that demands mastery but never feels unfair. When you land that perfect deflect and turn the tide of battle, it’s pure exhilaration.
Boss fights are another highlight. They’re brutal, yes, but they’re also beautifully choreographed and narratively significant. Each encounter feels like a test not just of skill but of understanding the world’s lore. The only real criticisms lie in occasional difficulty spikes and some uneven pacing in later areas. Level design, while atmospheric and interconnected, leans more linear than the sprawling labyrinths of FromSoftware’s best work. Still, the artistry and attention to detail more than compensate for these shortcomings.
In short, Lies of P is a triumph—a game that respects its inspirations while carving its own path. It’s not just one of the best Soulslikes outside of FromSoftware; it’s one of the most memorable action RPGs of the last decade.
If the base game was a statement, Overture is a declaration. This isn’t a throwaway expansion or a handful of recycled assets—it’s a full-bodied experience that feels almost like a sequel. Clocking in at 15 to 20 hours, Overture takes us back to the eve of the Puppet Frenzy, exploring the events that set Krat on its path to ruin. It’s a prequel that doesn’t just fill in gaps; it enriches the entire narrative tapestry.
The new regions are stunning and diverse. From the eerie Krat City Zoo, where infected beasts prowl among shattered cages, to a frozen shipyard littered with wrecked vessels, the DLC pushes environmental design to new heights. Each area feels distinct, and the sense of place is palpable. You’re not just moving through levels—you’re uncovering stories etched into every corner of these spaces.
Boss encounters in Overture are nothing short of spectacular. There are eight new fights, and several rank among the best in the genre. They’re creative, punishing, and visually arresting, demanding every ounce of skill you’ve honed in the base game. The expanded arsenal adds even more depth to combat. New weapons like Wolverine-style claws and gunblades feel fresh and impactful, while two new Legion Arms—Cataclysm and Icarus—introduce devastating abilities that change how you approach encounters. These additions aren’t mere reskins; they’re meaningful evolutions of the game’s core systems.
Lore is where Overture truly excels. It peels back layers of mystery surrounding the Alchemists and their grotesque experiments, offering insights into characters and factions that were only hinted at before. The storytelling remains largely environmental and subtle, though there are moments where Gemini’s exposition feels heavy-handed. Still, the narrative payoff is worth it, and fans of the original will find plenty to dissect.
If there’s a criticism, it’s that pacing occasionally falters in certain cave sections, and the number of new Ergo weapons might feel limited compared to expectations. But these are minor blemishes on an otherwise stellar experience.
The Art of Lies of P – A Visual Chronicle
For fans who can’t get enough of Krat’s haunting beauty, The Art of Lies of P is an absolute treasure. Released by Dark Horse Books in collaboration with Round8 Studio, this oversized hardcover art book is more than just a collection of pretty pictures—it’s a deep dive into the creative process behind one of the most visually striking games in recent memory.
Clocking in at over 220 pages, the book features a stunning array of concept art, character designs, and environmental sketches that chart the evolution of Krat from initial ideas to its final, decaying grandeur. What makes this art book truly special is the inclusion of intimate commentary from the developers themselves. These insights pull back the curtain on the design philosophy that shaped the game’s oppressive yet elegant aesthetic, revealing how the team balanced Belle Époque opulence with the grotesque horror of a world overrun by puppets and plague.
It’s not just a showcase of finished assets—it’s a narrative in its own right, chronicling the countless iterations and creative decisions that brought Lies of P to life. From early drafts of iconic bosses to unused weapon concepts, the book offers a glimpse into paths not taken, making it a fascinating companion for anyone who fell in love with the game’s art direction.
For collectors and enthusiasts, this is a must-have. It’s priced at $49.99 and available through major retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Whether you’re an artist seeking inspiration or a fan who wants to immerse yourself deeper in Krat’s twisted beauty, The Art of Lies of P delivers on every front.
Round8 Studio has done something remarkable. With Lies of P, they proved they could craft a Soulslike that stands on its own merits. With Overture, they’ve shown they can expand that vision without losing what made it special. And now, with The Art of Lies of P, they’ve given fans a way to celebrate and preserve the artistry that underpins this unforgettable experience.
This is a game—and a DLC—that understands the genre’s demands but refuses to be shackled by them. It’s challenging, atmospheric, and deeply rewarding, offering not just combat mastery but a narrative that lingers long after the credits roll. If you’re a fan of Soulslikes, this is essential. If you’re new to the genre, it’s a brutal but beautiful entry point. And if you’ve already walked the streets of Krat, Overture and the art book are the perfect reasons to return.
Article By Kevin Austin
