Parry System

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Lore & Background

The act of parrying is a fundamental defensive technique available to P. As a puppet with free will, unbound by the Covenant that forbade other puppets from harming humans, P must use every tool at his disposal to survive the hostile city of Krat. The parry represents a moment of precise control, turning an enemy's aggression into an opening for counterattack.

In Their Own Story

P didn't flinch; he watched the telegraphed arc, his internal clock syncing with the enemy's predictable rhythm. Just as the steel descended, he twisted his wrist and slammed his own weapon upward. For a heartbeat, the Guard froze, its eyes flickering red, before P drove his blade into the exposed core.

Reader's Guide

The parry system relies on timing and precision. A successful parry inflicts a staggering effect on the enemy and damages their weapon. Blocking causes P to lose a small amount of health, which is partially restored after a successful counterattack. The player can perform light and heavy attacks, as well as parry or block enemy attacks. Weapon durability decreases during combat and can be increased by grindstones, which also give weapons temporary power-ups. Mastering the balance between parrying, blocking, and dodging is key to surviving the enemy-infested city of Krat.

Did You Know?

• Parrying inflicts a staggering effect on the enemy and damages their weapon.
• Blocking causes P to lose a small amount of health, which is partially restored after a successful counterattack.
• Weapon durability decreases during combat and can be increased by grindstones, which also give weapons temporary power-ups.
• The player can perform light and heavy attacks, as well as parry or block enemy attacks.
• A successful parry creates openings for retaliation by staggering the enemy.

Gameplay Mechanics and Combat Systems

Lies of P is an action role-playing game played from a third-person perspective. The player controls a silent puppet referred to as P, who traverses the fictional city of Krat and fights hostile puppets, factions, and citizens disfigured by the petrification disease. At the game's start, the player chooses one of three combat styles, which determines the character's attributes and initial weapons. The player uses melee weapons and Legion Arms equipped with tools that include a grappling hook. Every weapon, except for boss weapons, consists of a blade and a handle that can be upgraded and combined with other similar components. Upon combining, the weapon gains a unique ability called Fable Arts, activated when the corresponding bar is filled up. Weapon durability decreases during combat and can be increased by grindstones, which also give weapons temporary power-ups. The player can perform light and heavy attacks, as well as parry or block enemy attacks. Parrying inflicts a staggering effect on the enemy and damages their weapon. Blocking causes P to lose a small amount of health, which is partially restored after a successful counterattack.

Narrative Themes and Moral Complexity

Set against the backdrop of the fictional Belle Époque-inspired city of Krat, the narrative reimagines Carlo Collodi's Pinocchio through a dark, industrial lens. The story unfolds amidst a catastrophic collapse caused by the Petrification Disease and a subsequent Puppet Frenzy, where automata violate their programming to slaughter humans. Central to the experience is a morality system that forces players into binary choices: tell the truth or lie. These decisions are not merely cosmetic; they actively shape sub-plots, character interactions, and ultimately determine which of the multiple endings the player achieves. The world is populated by characters adapted from the original novel, often presented as humans wearing animal masks with codenames. Information regarding the city's downfall and conspiracies is frequently hidden within optional dialogue trees and item descriptions, rewarding thorough exploration and encouraging players to piece together the fragmented history of Krat themselves.

World Design and Progression Systems

Exploration in Lies of P revolves around navigating a hostile urban environment filled with disfigured citizens and murderous puppets. The luxurious Hotel Krat serves as the player's primary hub for upgrading weapons, purchasing items with Ergo, and accessing fast travel via Stargazers checkpoints. These Stargazers act as respawn points but introduce a risk-reward mechanic where lost currency must be retrieved from the death site; taking damage en route reduces the recoverable amount. Progression is driven by Ergo, which functions dually as experience points for leveling attributes like vitality and vigor, and as in-game currency. Players also utilize Quartz to unlock skills within a branching tree and can equip Defense Parts or Wishstones for temporary buffs. Hidden secrets include ringing phones that pose riddles for Trinity Keys and Cryptic Vessels containing rare loot, ensuring the city remains engaging beyond its main path.

Release History and Critical Reception

Developed by Round8 Studio and published by Neowiz, Lies of P launched in September 2023 across multiple platforms including PlayStation, Xbox, Windows, and macOS. The title quickly garnered favorable reviews for its atmospheric visuals, sound design, and voice acting, though opinions on its narrative depth and gameplay mechanics were occasionally mixed. Despite some divisive elements, the game achieved significant commercial success, selling over three million units by June 2025 and securing nominations at prestigious ceremonies like The Game Awards and Golden Joystick Awards. Its impact led to immediate expansion plans, with a prequel titled Overture released in mid-2025 to add new enemies, weapons, and accessibility features. Looking forward, the franchise continues to grow with a sequel currently in development and a Nintendo Switch 2 version scheduled for release in August 2026, cementing its status as a major entry in the Soulslike genre.