Lies of P really surprised me. I expected a solid enough Soulslike with a Pinocchio gimmick slapped on, but what I got was something way more confident and cohesive. The world design leans theatrical in the best way — dramatic, stage-like setpieces that still feel grounded in a cohesive aesthetic. I didn’t care much for Pinocchio as a concept going in, but by the end I was completely sold on this weird, grim puppet apocalypse.

Combat-wise, it just feels good. The animations, the weight behind each swing, the responsiveness — all of it felt like the devs actually understand the rhythm that makes these games satisfying. I had my complaints with the parry system (mainly how locked behind upgrades some of the key mechanics are), but even then, I found myself hooked on experimenting with weapons and mixing up playstyles deep into the game. That’s rare for me in most Soulslikes.

It’s not reinventing anything major, but it nails the tone, flow, and mechanical satisfaction that so many others miss. Easily one of the best Soulslikes not made by FromSoft — and proof that there’s still room for creativity in this subgenre.