Pinocchio

Lore & Background

However, the myth takes a darker turn when viewed through the lens of Krat's reality. The city was founded on the belief that automata could replace humans, yet it succumbed to the Puppeteer's curse and the Blue Rose Virus. The story of Pinocchio becomes a cautionary tale about the cost of this transformation. Just as the puppet struggled against his wooden nature, the automatons of Krat struggle with their programmed obedience versus their emerging free will, often leading to madness or destruction when they fail to meet the impossible standard of 'humanity' set by their creators.

In Their Own Story

The rain in Krat falls like cold needles, washing over the cobblestones where a small wooden figure sits alone. He is not an automaton of brass and steam, but something older, crafted from simple timber with joints that creak in the wind. A voice whispers from the shadows, asking if he truly wishes to be real. The puppet looks at his hands, rough-hewn and unfeeling, then at the distant, burning skyline of the city. He knows the price of a heart is paid in blood, yet he stands up, ready to walk into the storm, hoping that somewhere in this nightmare, a fairy might still listen.

Reader's Guide

The myth of Pinocchio serves as the thematic backbone for the entire narrative of Lies of P. While the game features no direct appearance of the original wooden boy, the protagonist P is a literal embodiment of this legend. Players guide an automaton who must make difficult moral choices to become 'human,' directly mirroring the fairy tale's requirement that honesty and bravery grant life. In-game items like the Puppeteer's notes and Geppetto's journals reveal that the story was used as propaganda or hope by the original creators of Krat. The 'truth' revealed is that humanity did not vanish; they were consumed by their own hubris in creating machines to replace them. The game subverts the happy ending: becoming human does not guarantee salvation, but rather subjects one to the same pain and suffering as flesh-and-blood beings. This connection transforms gameplay mechanics into narrative weight. Every time P chooses a lie or tells the truth, the player is engaging with the core question of the myth: what defines a soul? The city's decay represents the failure of this dream, showing that without genuine empathy, the desire to be human leads only to ruin.

Did You Know?

• The name 'Geppetto' appears in the game's lore as the creator of P, directly linking the protagonist to the classic fairy tale character.
• The story of Pinocchio is used by the citizens of Krat as a metaphor for their own struggle with the Blue Rose Virus and the loss of humanity.
• Unlike the original tale where honesty turns wood into flesh, in Lies of P, 'truth' often leads to painful realizations rather than magical transformation.
• The myth suggests that the boundary between automaton and human is defined by one's capacity for suffering and choice.

Origins and Setting

Lies of P reimagines Carlo Collodi's classic tale within a dark, Belle Époque-inspired world known as Krat. This fictional city thrived on the discovery of Ergo, a mineral that powered an advanced society of automaton-like beings called Puppets. Designed by Giuseppe Geppetto and bound by a strict Covenant to never harm humans or lie, these machines were integral to daily life until catastrophe struck. A mysterious Petrification Disease began blinding and killing citizens, which quickly escalated into the Puppet Frenzy. This phenomenon caused the once-loyal automata to turn homicidal against their creators, shattering the city's order and sparking a bloody massacre. The game dedicates its narrative to Collodi while transforming his original characters; many unnamed animals from the novel are reimagined as humans wearing animal masks with codenames. Set against this backdrop of industrial decay and conspiracy, the story explores a society where the laws of robotics have been violently overturned by an epidemic that defies logic.

Combat Mechanics and Progression

As a Soulslike action role-playing game, Lies of P challenges players to master intricate combat systems while controlling Pinocchio from a third-person perspective. Players begin by selecting one of three distinct combat styles, which dictate initial attributes and weaponry. The arsenal consists of modular weapons featuring blades and handles that can be combined at grindstones in the Hotel Krat base to unlock unique Fable Arts abilities. Durability management is crucial, as weapons degrade during fights, requiring repairs and temporary power-ups. Beyond standard attacks, players must utilize a mechanical Legion Arm equipped with tools like grappling hooks for traversal and combat utility. The game features a stamina-based system where blocking drains health slightly, while successful parries stagger enemies and damage their gear. Progression is fueled by Ergo, serving as both experience points and currency to upgrade stats like vitality and vigor. A skill tree unlocks via Quartz obtained from bosses or shops, allowing for deep customization of passive bonuses and combat efficacy.

Narrative Choices and Morality

A defining feature of the game is its morality system, which forces players to make binary choices between telling the truth or lying during limited-time interactions with non-player characters. These decisions are not merely cosmetic; they actively shape the development of sub-plots and determine the ultimate ending of the story. The protagonist, P, remains silent throughout the journey, allowing player agency to drive the narrative forward through dialogue trees that reveal hidden lore about the world's collapse. Exploring Krat involves solving riddles posed by ringing phones, which reward players with Trinity Keys to unlock secret areas containing gear and resources. Additionally, players can discover Cryptic Vessels and collectibles while navigating a hazardous environment filled with petrified citizens and frenzied puppets. The Hotel Krat serves as a central hub for managing inventory, upgrading equipment, and engaging in side quests that offer valuable items. This intricate web of choices ensures that each playthrough offers a unique perspective on the tragedy unfolding within the city.

Release History and Legacy

Released in September 2023 across multiple platforms including PlayStation, Xbox, Windows, and macOS, Lies of P quickly garnered attention for its atmospheric visuals, sound design, and voice acting. While critical reception regarding narrative depth and gameplay mechanics was mixed, the title achieved significant commercial success, selling over three million units by June 2025. Its impact on the industry was recognized through nominations at prestigious ceremonies such as The Game Awards and the Golden Joystick Awards, securing its place on numerous year-end lists of top video games for that year. Following the main campaign's conclusion, a prequel expansion titled Overture launched in June 2025, introducing new enemies, weapons, side quests, and accessibility features to enrich the experience. Looking forward, a sequel is currently in development, and a version for the Nintendo Switch 2 is scheduled for release on August 6, 2026. The game's New Game Plus mode allows veterans to replay the story with retained gear and upgrades, extending its longevity and encouraging deeper exploration of Krat's lore.