Lies of P (Xbox Series X/Xbox One)

I am a huge souls fan and I’ve played all of the Dark Souls games, Sekiro, and Elden Ring. I was skeptical of this game at the onset, as most soulslike games are a bit disappointing, however, this one blew me away. It has a unique atmosphere, engaging gameplay, and an interesting story.

Here are some of the things I enjoyed:
– Souls combat system: stamina bar, same healing mechanism, fast-paced combat, high-quality bosses, spectre system (summons), powerful consumables, difficult but not overwhelming or impossible (maybe similar to Dark Souls 3 difficulty or a bit easier)
– Unique game mechanics: no weapon stat requirements, cool weapon crafting system, re-usable buffs on weapons, good balance between dodging or parrying, status effects
– Story and characters: interesting story that mirrors Pinocchio but in its own way, high-quality characters, plot that is still a bit mysterious
– Environment: Somewhat linear levels, but amazing art design and ambiance throughout the whole game
– Upgrade system: similar to souls for crafting and upgrade materials, p-organ upgrade tree was awesome

And here are some of the things I disliked:
– Weapon durability: Doesn’t add a lot to the game, but more of a minor annoyance
– Repetitive enemies: human enemies were a bit disappointing or lacked variety
– Status effects: sometimes overused or too gimmicky

Overall, it is a great soulslike game that mimics the best parts of the Souls games, yet still adds enough of its own unique elements to stand above the status of “souls knock-off”. It is difficult, but rewarding in the same way that most FromSoft games are. Definitely recommend.