Lies of P, released September 19, 2023, by South Korean studio Round8, surprised everyone. The “Pinocchio soulslike” concept sounded absurd, yet the game delivered one of 2023’s best Souls-inspired experiences—selling over 1 million copies in one month.
Dark Pinocchio
Set in a Belle Époque city overrun by puppets gone mad, the game followed Pinocchio (P) seeking his creator Geppetto. The dark reimagining featured brutal combat, gothic atmosphere, and a lying system that affected story outcomes—nodding to Pinocchio’s nose.
Quality Over Novelty
Critics praised Lies of P’s tight combat, excellent boss design, and respectful homage to FromSoftware without copying blindly. The game added weapon customization (blade + handle mixing) and creative boss encounters.
Lies of P proved Korean developers could master Souls-inspired design while injecting unique identity—joining titles like Sekiro and Nioh in the soulslike pantheon.