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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteNo. Lies of P is a standalone Pinocchio-inspired Soulslike with its own characters, setting and combat systems. You can begin it without knowing Elden Ring, Dark Souls or any other FromSoftware story.
The meaningful choice is structural rather than chronological: Elden Ring is a vast open-world action RPG built around exploration and build variety, while Lies of P is a more directed journey through the city of Krat.
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Lies of P - PlayStation 5 | $38.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Demon's Souls - PlayStation 5 | $39.45 | Buy on Amazon |
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Crimson Desert: Standard Edition - PlayStation 5 | $62.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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PRAGMATA - PlayStation 5 | $59.97 | Buy on Amazon |
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Clair Obscur Expedition 33 PS5 | $47.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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What Lies of P is, and why it stands alone
PlayStation describes Lies of P as “a dark fantasy action game inspired by the classic story of Pinocchio” and a “macabre Soulslike.” Its setting is Krat, a Belle Époque-inspired city overrun by madness and killer puppets. The premise, characters and terminology belong to that world; they are not chapters, spin-offs or prerequisites connected to Elden Ring.
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Its main systems also establish a separate identity. You assemble weapons from different components, swap Legion Arms for distinct abilities and make lie-based narrative choices. Those mechanics give the game a recognizable Pinocchio theme while still using the deliberate attacks, defensive timing, boss encounters and resource management associated with the Soulslike genre.
#1 Best Overall
- The essence of battle: Wield and master various weapons with unique combinations of Fable Arts and Legion Arms to find out what fits your playstyle
- Variety of attraction: Enjoy the beautiful, yet dark atmosphere of the Belle Époque era and explore the once prosperous city of Krat
- Lie system: P is made of a puppet's heart, but he learns how to think and feel like a human by lying
- Legacy of the classics: The city of Krat, the characters, and even the smallest objects reflect our deepest admiration for the original tale of Pinocchio
Because the story is self-contained, prior knowledge of the Lands Between, its factions or FromSoftware’s storytelling style will not unlock hidden context in Krat. A player who has never touched a Soulslike can follow the plot from the beginning. A veteran may recognize familiar design principles, but recognition is optional rather than required.
What Elden Ring asks of a new player
Elden Ring is a separate fantasy world created by Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R. R. Martin. Bandai Namco’s official description presents the player as a Tarnished who is guided by grace to wield the Elden Ring and become an Elden Lord in the Lands Between.
Its defining feature is scale. The game links broad outdoor regions with dungeons, letting you travel on foot or horseback and decide which challenge to approach next. Character creation, weapons, magic, stealth and allies support many different solutions to combat. You can play alone or use online features, but the world and its narrative do not assume that you have completed an earlier Souls game.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThe base game launched on 25 February 2022 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox and PC. The current product information also lists the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. That expansion requires the base game, so buying or accessing the expansion is not a substitute for owning the original campaign.
Rank #2
- Discover where the journey began - Experience the original brutal challenge, completely remade from the ground up. All presented in stunning visual quality with enhanced performance, this is the world of Boletaria as you have never seen it before.
- Become the Slayer of Demons - Venture to the northern kingdom of Boletaria – a once prosperous land of knights, now beset with unspeakable creatures and ravenous demons. Meet strange characters, unhinged and twisted by the world around them, and unravel the unsettling story of Demon’s Souls.
- Face the world’s greatest warriors in ferocious PVP combat - With online invasions adding to the danger of your quest. Or play cooperatively by summoning allies to aid in your fight against the demons. Active PS Plus subscription required for online multiplayer.
How the two games differ in practice
Their shared genre label can make them sound interchangeable, but the moment-to-moment experience is different. Use the comparison below to match the game to the way you prefer to learn and explore.
| Reader priority | Better first choice | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Free-form exploration, horseback travel and many build routes | Elden Ring | Its connected landscapes and dungeons combine weapons, magic, stealth and summons, allowing several approaches to most situations. |
| A tighter, more directed Soulslike in a fairy-tale setting | Lies of P | Krat provides a focused route through a Pinocchio-inspired world, with weapon assembly, Legion Arms and lie choices as its signature systems. |
| Trying a game before paying for it | Lies of P, if an eligible PlayStation Plus entitlement is currently listed | Sony announced it as a monthly Plus game in August 2025, but entitlements and catalog listings can change. |
| Owning a long-term open-world benchmark | Elden Ring | The base game is sold in standard forms, and the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion is available for owners of that base game. |
Can you try Lies of P through PlayStation Plus?
Sony’s PlayStation Blog announcement on 29 July 2025 named Lies of P among the August monthly PlayStation Plus games and said the games would be available to subscribers from 5 August 2025. That announcement describes it as a dark Soulslike based on a popular children’s tale.
Those dates describe the announcement and start of that entitlement, not a permanent guarantee that the game remains claimable. Sony separates Plus benefits by plan: Essential members receive monthly games, Extra members receive the Game Catalog, and Premium members receive trials and streaming. Catalog titles can have an end date, and availability varies by plan, region and time.
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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Before relying on a subscription, open the current PlayStation Store or Plus listing for your account and check three things:
Rank #3
- Join Kliff, captain of the Greymanes, and his comrades as they embark on a relentless journey to defend Pywel and fulfill their mission.
- Along your perilous path stands both dependable allies and countless foes who will stop at nothing to see your downfall.
- Face trials to uncover the truth of the catastrophe looming over Pywel and restore peace to the continent.
- Explore the mesmerizing landscapes of the continent where mystical beings, hidden treasures, and thrilling adventures await.
- Pre-order to receive the Khaled Shield (Pre Order Code on Receipt). PS5 Editions include the Grotevant Plate Set DLC as a PS5 exclusive bonus. (In Pack DLC Voucher). Bonus DLC Includes: Grotevan Plate Helm, Grotevan Plate Armor, along with Grotevan cloak, gloves, and boots!
- Whether Lies of P is included with your specific plan.
- Whether the listing is a monthly entitlement, a catalog title or a time-limited trial.
- The date on which access ends, if Sony displays one.
If you claim a monthly game while it is available, access normally remains tied to an active qualifying subscription, subject to the terms shown on your account. A catalog title can leave the service even while you remain subscribed, so a game you have not purchased outright may stop launching after its removal date.
Do you need PlayStation Plus to play either game?
PlayStation Support says that most PS4 and PS5 games require a PlayStation Plus subscription for online multiplayer, while some games are exceptions and should be checked on their individual store listings.
That rule does not turn Plus into a requirement for learning the single-player premise of either title. You can begin a solo campaign without first understanding online communities or previous entries. Elden Ring‘s official feature list explicitly includes both single-player and online play; if you want its online co-operation or other subscription-gated modes, check the current store and support wording for your platform and edition.
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Do not confuse two separate questions: Plus access is a way to obtain or sample a game, while Plus online multiplayer is a service requirement for applicable modes. Owning a game does not automatically remove the online subscription requirement.
Rank #4
- Out-of-This-World Adventure – Stranded on a lunar space station, Hugh encounters Diana, a mysterious android resembling a young girl. While searching for a way back to Earth, they fight to survive against Bots directed to “neutralize” intruders.
- Hack & Shoot – Use each character’s distinct abilities to take down enemies. In combat, Diana can hack foes to expose weaknesses so Hugh can blast them with weapons. This unique fusion of gameplay offers an action-packed experience like no other.
- Space Exploration – Teamwork also extends to traversing the station. Utilize the thrusters in Hugh’s futuristic suit to dash and hover around while Diana hacks security systems to solve puzzles. Only together can they overcome all obstacles.
- Collect and Customize – Gather materials while exploring the station to unlock upgrades, build out a diverse arsenal of weapons, obtain new outfits, and more. Once you’re ready, use the new gear in battle and take on even greater challenges!
Which game is the better first Soulslike?
Choose Lies of P first when structure helps you learn
A directed route can make it easier to understand a Soulslike’s basic loop: study an enemy, spend resources carefully, improve equipment and retry a difficult encounter with a new plan. Lies of P keeps that learning inside one coherent city and layers its distinctive systems on top of it. Weapon assembly lets you experiment with combinations, Legion Arms add another combat tool and lie choices connect your decisions to the narrative.
This does not make the game a tutorial for Elden Ring. Timing, equipment choices and enemy patterns will still be specific to Krat. The benefit is that you spend less time wondering which distant region to visit next.
Choose Elden Ring first when experimentation is the appeal
Elden Ring is the stronger starting point if your priority is freedom. When a boss, dungeon or area overwhelms you, the connected world gives you room to explore elsewhere, find equipment, adjust attributes or approach the problem with magic, stealth, allies or a different weapon. Horseback travel makes the scale practical, and character creation supports a wide range of builds.
That freedom also creates more decisions. You must decide where to go, which upgrades to pursue and how much optional content to investigate. If you prefer a clear sequence of locations, Krat’s more concentrated design may feel more approachable.
Best Value
- Reactive Turn-based Combat: Craft unique builds for your Expeditioners that fit your playstyle via gear, stats, skills, and &character synergies
- Dodge, parry, and counter in real time, chain combos by mastering attack rhythms, and target enemy weak points using a free aim system
- With only one year left to live, join Gustave, Maelle, & fellow Expeditioners as they embark on a desperate quest to break Paintress’ cycle of death
- Explore an enchanting realm populated by adversaries; Wander through breathtaking landscapes, from Island of Visages to the Forgotten Battlefield
- Experience the debut game from Sandfall Interactive, fully realized in Unreal Engine 5 with stunning graphics and a heartbreaking soundtrack
A practical first-session plan
If you start with Lies of P
- Read the opening information and let the game establish Krat before making assumptions about its characters or rules.
- Test the available weapon parts and Legion Arms rather than treating the first combination as permanent.
- Pay attention to enemy animations and defensive timing; repeated attempts are part of the genre’s intended learning process.
- Record which shortcuts, upgrade materials and useful vendors you have found so a failed boss attempt produces information rather than only a reset.
- Make lie choices for the narrative outcome you want. They are a feature of this game’s story, not a reference to a decision system from Elden Ring.
If you start with Elden Ring
- Finish character creation with a weapon and attributes that match how you actually want to fight; the early game supports experimentation.
- Explore nearby roads and dungeons before deciding that a difficult encounter must be defeated immediately.
- Use the map, horseback travel, stealth, magic or allies when they suit the situation. The game is designed around more than one solution.
- Separate the main objective from optional discoveries. Leaving an area and returning later is a valid route, not a failure.
- Decide whether you want online co-operation before starting, then verify the current Plus requirement for your platform.
Buying decisions and edition requirements
For Elden Ring, the essential distinction is between the base game and Shadow of the Erdtree. The expansion requires the base game, so an expansion listing should be read as additional content rather than a standalone entry. Choose the standard or an explicitly bundled edition according to whether you want only the original campaign or the expansion as well.
For Lies of P, a Plus listing can be a low-commitment way to determine whether the directed structure, weapon assembly and Krat setting suit you. Check the entitlement’s end date before assuming you can return months later. If access is ending and you want to keep your save and continue without a service subscription, compare the current purchase option shown in your store.
Neither game’s official product information supplies an independent completion-time study, sales figure or difficulty statistic. Those numbers should not be used to make a false promise about how long your first playthrough will take or which title is objectively easier.
The decision in one sentence
Start Lies of P whenever its Krat setting and focused Soulslike structure appeal to you, regardless of whether you have played Elden Ring; choose Elden Ring instead when a huge world, horseback exploration and broad build freedom are the features you want most. PlayStation Plus can change how cheaply you try Lies of P, but it does not create a story prerequisite between the games.
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