Discovering the World of Lies of P: A Dark Souls Tribute
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and Lies of P may just be the most glowing Dark Souls tribute yet. Built on Unreal Engine 4, this game captures the essence of From Software’s iconic series, with its focus on learning attack patterns and timing parries. Developed by Neowiz Games and Round8 Studio, Lies of P not only pays homage to Dark Souls but also surpasses recent From releases in terms of technical polish.
A Unique Setting: A Twist on the Souls Formula
Lies of P’s unique setting deserves special attention before diving into the game’s performance on different consoles. Set in the ruined gothic world of Krat, the game draws inspiration from the 19th-century story of Pinocchio. In this game universe, mechanized puppets have risen up against their human rulers, and players will face deranged creations like mannequin policemen wielding stop signs, robotic dogs, and rogue circus masters. The biggest draw of Lies of P is experiencing the familiar Souls-like gameplay in a brand new world.
Choosing the Best Graphics Mode
Now, let’s dive into the different graphics modes available on the PS5, Series X, and Series S. Lies of P offers players three modes to choose from, each with its own blend of fidelity and performance. There’s a 30fps quality mode, a smoother 40fps quality mode for those using 120Hz displays, and a 60fps performance mode. It’s worth noting that Series S, in particular, stands out by offering a full spread of three modes, which is rare for the console.
Comparison of Consoles
Before discussing the performance of each mode, let’s take a look at how the three consoles compare. In the 30fps quality mode, both PS5 and Series X offer a practically fixed 4K resolution, with no deviations below 3840×2160. Series S also holds up well, with a native 1440p image that gets upscaled to 4K with temporal anti-aliasing.
All three consoles share the same core visual settings, including texture quality and geometric detail. However, Series S does have some subtle differences, such as lower-grade ambient occlusion shading and slightly reduced volumetric fog in certain scenes. Despite these differences, Series S still looks superb in its own right.
Performance Testing and Frame-Pacing Issues
When it comes to performance, all three consoles perform similarly in the 30fps quality mode. However, the one drawback is the uneven frame-pacing, which affects the smoothness of the gameplay experience. This issue is present on all consoles and can make camera motion and animation appear less smooth than they should be.
High Frame-Rate and Performance Modes
Thankfully, Lies of P offers two additional modes to address the frame-pacing issue. The high frame-rate toggle, available on PS5, Series X, and S, increases the frame-rate target to 40fps while keeping the quality mode visual settings in place. This mode requires a 120Hz display to work effectively. While the frame-pacing issue remains, the increase in frames rendered improves motion flow and reduces button-to-pixel response times.
For players seeking the smoothest gameplay experience, the 60fps performance mode is the way to go. This mode solves the frame-pacing issues of the quality modes, delivering 60 unique frames per second at a steady 16.6ms cadence. It’s the recommended setting for Lies of P, providing optimal playability and responsiveness.
Visual Sacrifices and Final Recommendations
While the performance mode offers the best gameplay experience, it does come with some sacrifices. The resolution drops noticeably on all platforms, with internal resolutions ranging from 1512p to 1800p on PS5 and Series X, and from 972p to 1080p on Series S. Additionally, visual settings like shading and volumetric fog may be reduced on the premium consoles, affecting the overall atmosphere of the game.
Despite these sacrifices, Lies of P is a well-balanced and optimized game on all consoles. Whether you choose the quality modes or the performance mode, each offers a unique experience with its own benefits and trade-offs. The technical flaws, such as the frame-pacing issues, are overshadowed by the game’s overall excellence.
The Verdict: Lies of P Shines Bright
Based on our testing, Lies of P is a game worth checking out for any Dark Souls fan. It captures the spirit of the beloved series while introducing a unique and captivating world. With its well-executed mechanics and technical polish, Lies of P proves to be a worthy tribute to From Software’s iconic franchise. Whether you’re exploring the ruined gothic world of Krat or timing your dodge and parry with precision, this game delivers an immersive and challenging experience.
So, grab your controller and prepare to embark on an unforgettable journey. Lies of P awaits, ready to test your skills and transport you to a clockwork world filled with danger and wonder.