The recently unveiled Lies of P demo confirms what many expected after months of previews: Round8 Studio's new Soulslike closely resembles a Bloodborne sequel in terms of its art direction, atmosphere, encounter design, and a preference for aggressive combat. While Lies of P has distinctive elements that differentiate it from FromSoftware's cosmic-horror masterpiece, the comparisons to Bloodborne can be both a significant asset and a potential drawback.
Since its debut in 2015, few titles have sparked as many requests for a sequel or remaster as Bloodborne. Following the changes introduced by Dark Souls 2 in the franchise's new direction, fans were eagerly anticipating Hidetaka Miyazaki's next project, and Bloodborne eventually became one of the most beloved games in FromSoftware's entire catalog until the arrival of Elden Ring. Lies of P has already proven itself as a demo that pleases the crowd, and the initial impressions from this gameplay snippet have left fans craving more. Hopefully, the game has more to offer beyond simply serving as a substitute for Bloodborne 2, aiming to advance the subgenre rather than resting on its laurels.
Bloodborne marked a significant departure for FromSoftware in terms of both design and gameplay. Departing from its lineage of high-fantasy action role-playing games with deliberate and methodical combat, Bloodborne ventured into Lovecraftian gothic horror territory. It introduced a more aggressive combat style, which was a stark contrast to its predecessors, while still retaining many core elements of the Souls series. Lies of P derives substantial benefits from its inspiration drawn from Bloodborne, primarily evident in its eerie horror aesthetic. Even the limited portion of the story showcased in the demo promises a fresh interpretation of Carlo Collodi's classic fairy tale.
While Lies of P does incorporate elements of steampunk aesthetics reminiscent of BioShock, it goes beyond mere visual presentation in its homage to Bloodborne. Bloodborne was renowned for encouraging players to adopt an aggressive, offensive playstyle rather than relying on parrying or dodge-rolling. It introduced the Rally system, which rewarded players for engaging with enemies in combat. Lies of P's adoption of this Rally system not only enhances the visceral combat experience but also serves as a remedy for the absence of a seamless dodge mechanic in the game.
As the studio credited with creating the Soulsborne subgenre, it should come as no surprise that the most outstanding games in this category are all products of FromSoftware. The impact of Dark Souls on the world of video games is still challenging to fully express, but it introduced a fresh approach to action role-playing games, emphasizing intense challenges that led to profound feelings of achievement. While numerous other game developers have attempted to create their own Soulsborne experiences since its release, with a few exceptions, these titles often fall short of capturing the elusive quality that distinguishes FromSoftware's creations.
Lies of P is already showing promise as one of the higher-quality Soulsborne titles not developed by FromSoftware. However, for the subgenre to step out of FromSoftware's shadow, it's imperative for studios to elevate their games beyond mere imitations or superficial adaptations of FromSoftware's classic titles. The comparisons to Bloodborne both benefit and constrain Lies of P by framing its success within a very specific set of criteria. Regardless, Lies of P is among the many exciting Soulslike games to keep an eye on in 2023.
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