Developer Neowiz released a game in 2023 that I mistakenly underestimated. In part, a Souls-like inspired by a 19th-century novel wasn’t necessarily something that sounded like it would work well on paper. Instead, I was pleased to play through Lies of P with a smile on my face, even through some of the grueling boss battles and toughest moments. Despite loving the base game, I never played the DLC, which made the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Lies of P: Complete Edition a wonderful motivator to return to Krat and experience this great game once more. Let’s dive into a review for Lies of P: Complete Edition. 

For those who haven’t played Lies of P, let’s dive into a short synopsis. In this game, you play as P, a puppet created in a society where the discovery of a mineral has allowed for the invention of robotics technology that has transformed the city of Krat. Unfortunately, something goes very wrong; the puppets turn on everyone, and the city becomes a hellscape. You’re awakened by a woman named Sophia and told to rescue your creator, Geppetto. From there, you work your way through Krat to figure out what went wrong.

The game is a Souls-like experience, in which you level up as you progress and gain new skills. It’s also a Souls-like because it’s very difficult. There are a lot of games that have tried to copy the FromSoftware style of action game; however, none have done it better than Neowiz and Lies of P. Combat in Lies of P is a joy if you can handle the challenge. I’m not a massive fan of the item hotkey system, which left me wasting items from time to time due to incorrectly inputting an action I didn’t mean to, but that’s a personal issue. Every other element, from the mystery of its world to the boss battles you feel triumphant over once you finally complete them, makes Lies of P: Complete Edition a masterclass in this style of action game.

There are a lot of people who are likely going to see the release of Lies of P: Complete Edition and have already played the game. Of course, this version does include the DLC, Overture, and quality-of-life updates, but again, this isn’t new for Xbox, PlayStation, or PC gamers. This is, however, the first time the game is on a Nintendo console, so the question for many who might try it for the first time or double-dip and purchase the title again is whether the Nintendo Switch 2 handles the game well. The answer, simply, is yes. This is a well-optimized game that looks wonderful on Switch 2 in both docked and handheld modes.

The game offers three modes on Switch 2. Performance, which features an upscaled 1080p resolution targeting 60 FPS, Balanced, which is an upscaled 1080p targeting 40 FPS, and Quality, which is an upscaled 1440p targeting 30 FPS. For a game like this, I found myself preferring Performance mode on docked TV gameplay, and Balanced mode in handheld sessions. Quality in handheld is nearly not an option, as it really does not play to the smaller screen’s advantage. Balanced gives the handheld mode more room to vary the frame rate, something I’m not precious about, which makes bed or couch sessions off-TV very enjoyable.

Quality mode in docked TV sessions, however, looked great to me. Performance mode does have the benefit of 60 FPS, which did offer a smoother experience, and to be honest, not too much of a dip in terms of resolution from what I could see. I think if you’re picking this up on Switch 2, you’re looking for Lies of P: Complete Edition to be a great experience given the Switch 2’s specs, and I think Neowiz nailed it. Bad faith arguments comparing it to other consoles really don’t work here, because nobody is saying the Switch 2 is a PC or PS5 Pro. That said, it is a capable console, and optimization means everything. Lies of P: Complete Edition and its Unreal Engine 4 build fit well for the console.

For those who are scared off by the difficulty of these types of games, there is an easy mode, which I played around with for a while. You aren’t immune to dying, but there is a lot more wiggle room when you misjudge an enemy or are working to learn a boss’s attack pattern. I think games like this do require some taste for defeat, as you aren’t going to just breeze through this the way you would on Easy Mode in something like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. However, you know whether or not you’re up for a game that pushes your skills. I can’t answer that for you.

Experiencing the Overture DLC in Lies of P: Complete Edition for the first time cemented this game as an incredible experience. In the 2020s, few games have brought me more challenge and cheer. Having the game on my Switch 2 is a welcome addition to my library, and one that I hope others will pick up to experience. If you are not a Souls-like player typically, I do not think this is the worst place to try your hand in the genre. For those who love Souls games and haven’t tried this one yet, what are you waiting for?

A Nintendo Switch 2 review copy of Lies of P was provided by Neowiz for this review. 

Phenixx Gaming is everywhere you are. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Also, if you’d like to join the Phenixx Gaming team, check out our recruitment article for details on working with us.

Phenixx Gaming is proud to be a Humble Partner! Purchases made through our affiliate links support our writers and charity!

Lies of P: Complete Edition

69.99

9

Score

9.0/10

Pros

• One of the best Souls-likes out there
• Great performance on the Switch 2
• The included DLC is one of my favorite since the Witcher 3

Cons

• Item management is still not my favorite in this game
• Quality Mode in handheld is basically non-playable