Is Lies of P the Hardest Soulslike Game? A Deep Dive into Difficulty
The question of whether Lies of P is the hardest Soulslike game is complex and nuanced, with a straightforward answer being: it depends on the player. While it’s not universally agreed upon as the absolute most challenging title, many veteran Dark Souls players and genre enthusiasts have found it to be exceptionally difficult, even surpassing some of FromSoftware’s most notorious titles in perceived brutality. The game’s unique mechanics, particularly the emphasis on Perfect Guards and aggressive enemy AI, create a learning curve that can feel incredibly steep for some. While some will find it on par with Sekiro, many consider it even more punishing, placing it squarely in the conversation for the most challenging Soulslike experience available today.
Lies of P’s Unique Difficulty Factors
What makes Lies of P so challenging? Several factors contribute to its reputation as a grueling experience:
The Perfect Guard Mechanic
Unlike the standard rolling and blocking mechanics of many Souls games, Lies of P heavily emphasizes the Perfect Guard. This requires precise timing to deflect enemy attacks, which is not only crucial for defense but also for staggering enemies. Failing to master this mechanic can lead to a rapid and frustrating series of deaths, creating a significant hurdle for players accustomed to more forgiving timing windows. The game will punish you severely for not having the timing down, making it far more challenging than blocking in other Souls titles.
Aggressive Enemy AI
Enemies in Lies of P are often relentless and aggressive, not giving you a lot of room to catch your breath. Their attack patterns are complex, and they often chain attacks in rapid succession, forcing players to be consistently on the defensive. This contrasts with the more deliberate pacing found in some other Soulslike games, creating a constant sense of pressure. The game’s AI doesn’t offer a lot of opportunities for cheesing or taking advantage of predictable patterns.
Boss Encounters
The boss fights in Lies of P are particularly notorious for their difficulty. Many bosses feature multiple phases, complex move sets, and the ability to quickly overwhelm players. The most infamous is the Nameless Puppet, often considered the most challenging boss in the game, featuring an unrelenting barrage of aggressive attacks that require near-perfect timing and execution to overcome. The boss encounters serve as the true test of player skill and patience, pushing them to the very limit.
Limited Exploits
Unlike some other Soulslike titles, Lies of P does not lend itself to easy exploits or cheese strategies. The game is very polished, with the developers appearing to have anticipated and corrected potential exploits, forcing players to confront challenges head-on. This further increases the difficulty by making it impossible to bypass challenging sections by using unconventional tactics.
How Lies of P Compares to Other Soulslike Games
Lies of P vs. Dark Souls
Many players report Lies of P as significantly more difficult than any of the Dark Souls games. While Dark Souls can be challenging, it has been argued that the timing on blocking is far more lenient compared to the perfect guard mechanic in Lies of P. This places a heavy emphasis on precise timing and parrying, leading to a much higher skill ceiling. The more forgiving windows for defense in Dark Souls make Lies of P a far more aggressive and less forgiving experience overall.
Lies of P vs. Sekiro
The difficulty comparison between Lies of P and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a closer contest. Both games require aggressive parrying and punishing attacks. Many see the difficulty of these two games as being on par with one another. Some players find Sekiro more difficult due to its emphasis on rhythm and deflection, while others feel that Lies of P’s unforgiving Perfect Guard system and aggressive enemy AI make it a steeper challenge overall. Sekiro relies on a more defined rhythm for blocks and parries, making the learning curve different, yet both games require a high degree of skill and precision.
Lies of P vs. Elden Ring
While Elden Ring offers a vast open world and numerous difficulty options, most players find Lies of P to be the harder of the two. Elden Ring’s flexibility in approaches often allows you to bypass some difficult encounters using leveling or alternative paths. Lies of P offers little room for such alternatives, pushing players into a more direct and consistently difficult gauntlet. While Elden Ring can certainly be difficult, its challenges are more varied and more flexible than the tight and unforgiving mechanics of Lies of P.
Lies of P vs. Bloodborne
The consensus is that Lies of P is slightly easier than Bloodborne, mainly due to some small concessions. However, this does not mean it is not challenging. Bloodborne’s relentless aggression and Lovecraftian horror themes push players to the brink, whereas Lies of P, although challenging, might feel more approachable to some while still maintaining its difficulty, due to some minor tweaks.
Lies of P: Is It Right For You?
Lies of P is definitely not a game for the faint of heart. It will test your patience, skill, and perseverance. However, players who enjoy challenging combat, tight mechanics, and overcoming difficult obstacles will find it to be an incredibly rewarding experience. While it may not be the absolute hardest Soulslike game for everyone, it certainly pushes the boundaries of the genre and stands as one of the most difficult and rewarding experiences for players who seek that type of challenge.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Lies of P actually hard?
Yes, Lies of P is a challenging game. It requires precise timing and a high degree of skill, particularly in mastering the Perfect Guard mechanic. While it becomes more manageable with practice, it is never a walk in the park.
2. Is Lies of P easier than Sekiro?
Many players feel Lies of P is as difficult as Sekiro if no exploits are used, while some feel it is even more challenging due to its emphasis on Perfect Guard and aggressive enemy AI. Sekiro has a more defined block window and some say a rhythmic combat, while Lies of P is far more aggressive and less forgiving.
3. What is the hardest level in Lies of P?
The consensus is that the Nameless Puppet boss fight is considered the most challenging level in Lies of P, mainly due to its relentlessly aggressive nature and the requirement for perfect parries and dodging.
4. Who is the secret final boss in Lies of P?
The secret final boss is the Nameless Puppet, a faceless marionette summoned by Gepetto. This boss is known for its difficulty, placing an emphasis on precise parrying and aggressive attacks.
5. How many hours of gameplay is Lies of P?
The main story of Lies of P will take around 29½ hours. For completionists aiming for 100%, gameplay could extend to around 58 hours.
6. Is Lies of P harder than Elden Ring?
Most players feel that Lies of P is harder than Elden Ring, mainly due to its tighter design and unforgiving combat mechanics, while Elden Ring offers more freedom to explore, level, and strategize.
7. Is Lies of P harder than Dark Souls?
Many Souls veterans say that Lies of P is harder than any of the Dark Souls titles, due to its emphasis on Perfect Guard and more aggressive enemy AI.
8. Is Lies of P about Pinocchio?
Yes, Lies of P is a dark reimagining of the story of Pinocchio, where he must navigate a grim world to find his creator, Mr. Gepetto, while his ability to lie plays a significant role in the story.
9. Is Lies of P an open world game?
No, Lies of P is not an open-world game. It features large, interconnected linear areas similar to the layout of Bloodborne , allowing you to revisit previously explored locations.
10. How many chapters are there in Lies of P?
There are 11 chapters in Lies of P, each with distinct locations and sub-areas to explore, that are accessed by use of the Stargazers (bonfires).
11. Is Lies of P boring?
No, most players find Lies of P to be an engaging experience. It takes inspiration from FromSoftware’s titles while adding its own unique twists on combat and story. If you enjoy tough challenges, you’ll enjoy this game.
12. Is the first boss in Lies of P hard?
Yes, the Parade Master is considered a considerable difficulty leap from the starting area’s normal enemies. He acts as an early trial by fire to prepare the player for the challenges ahead.
13. Is Lies of P more difficult than Bloodborne?
The consensus is that Lies of P is slightly easier than Bloodborne overall, though both games present significant challenges.
14. Does Lies of P have replayability?
Yes, Lies of P has high replayability due to its diverse weapon and build options, allowing you to try different approaches, in addition to having three different endings.
15. How linear is Lies of P?
Lies of P is very linear. There aren’t alternate areas, and progression is generally on a narrow pathway in each section.