Summary
2015’sBloodborneis a bittersweet game for many FromSoftware fans. Released as a PS4 exclusive in the middle of that console’s lifecycle, it was the famed developer’s first spin-off from theDark Soulsseries, offering a new world and fresh gameplay fundamentals within a similar framework.Bloodborne’s PS5 release or sequelis nowhere to be seen, but it has nonetheless made a massive impact, influencing a number of games coming out today.
Bloodbornecaptured the imagination of countless gamers, and helped further grow the popularity of FromSoftware as a studio. Taking place in Yharnam, a fictional Victorian-esque city, the game follows a player-created character as they embark on a quest to hunt humans who have been turned into beasts. That simple premise and the striking Gothic art style of the game are enough to get a player hooked, but the experience takes a turn into something that is altogether stranger, more baffling, and deeply thought-provoking, invoking Lovecraftian themes and imagery to tell a twisted, cerebral story. All that is to say thatBloodborneis more than just tough bossesand a spooky atmosphere, and the games industry hasn’t quite seen the likes of it since. However, that could be about to change with a soon-to-be-released title.
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Lies of P Could Continue Bloodborne’s Legacy
Lies of P, releasing this September, wears itsBloodborneinspiration on its dark, tattered sleeve. An action-packed, mature spin on the classic tale of Pinocchio,Lies of Ppresents itself as a sort of darkened fairy tale, with as much blood and gore as wit and charm. Its Gothic architecture and moonlit streets are certainly reminiscent ofBloodborne, but the similarities go a bit deeper than that.
Mechanically,Lies of Pis influenced byBloodborneas well. The game’s weapon system is strikingly likeBloodborne’s, with the opening stage of the demo even offering the player the choice of three weapons in a very similar manner as the 2015 game. Like so many modern action titles,Lies of Pfollows in the footsteps of FromSoftware, with basic attacks, heavy attacks, and guards being linked to the shoulder buttons of the controller, which goes a long way toward making the moment-to-moment gameplay feel likeBloodborne.
Then, there is the difficulty. FromSoftware titles are known for being unforgiving, andBloodborneis no exception.Lies of Pis looking to replicate this as well, packing itself full of challenging boss encountersclearly drawing fromBloodborne’s toughest fights, connected by linear areas laden with crafty, brutal foot soldiers. Just like inBloodborne, tutorialization looks to be taking a back seat, allowing players to figure many elements of the game out for themselves.
All this doesn’t mean thatLies of Pwon’t have its own identity, though. As previously mentioned, the premise of the game, at least at first glance, appears to be a departure from the typical FromSoftware approach, and is vastly different fromBloodborne’s. Aesthetic similarities are abundant, butLies of Palso has a more steampunk-inspired design, especially when it comes to many of the automaton NPCs and enemies, which stand in contrast toBloodborne’s Lovecraftian horror elements.
It’s these differences thatLies of Pwould do well to focus on. Souls-like games are plentiful, but it’s hard to match what FromSoftware has achieved with its titles, and abject comparisons betweenLies of PandBloodbornecould wind up being unfavorable for the former. It’s true thatBloodbornefans are hungry for something to fill the void of the original game, andLies of Pcan leverage this to get its foot in the door, but it should also be sure to stand on its own.
