Is Lies of P Free on PC?
No — Lies of P is a paid game. Standard Edition: $59.99 / €59.99 on Steam. It is also available on Xbox Game Pass (PC and console), making it free-to-play with an active subscription. This is one of the best ways to try the game before committing to a purchase.
A Deluxe Edition ($69.99) includes the base game + Digital Soundtrack + Digital Artbook — cosmetic extras only; no gameplay advantage.
DLC: Overture (2024) is the first paid story expansion. It adds new areas, boss encounters, and weapon assemblies; it is a substantial content addition recommended for players who completed the main game.
System Requirements
| Tier | CPU | GPU | RAM | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum (1080p/30fps Low) | Intel Core i7-7700 / AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | GTX 1060 6GB / RX 5500 XT 8GB | 12 GB | 50 GB SSD |
| Recommended (1080p/60fps Medium-High) | Intel Core i7-8700K / AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | RTX 2080 Super / RX 6700 XT | 16 GB | 50 GB NVMe SSD |
| High (1440p/60fps Ultra) | Intel Core i7-9700K / AMD Ryzen 7 3700X | RTX 3080 / RX 6800 XT | 16 GB | 50 GB NVMe SSD |
| Ultra RT (4K/60fps) | Intel Core i7-10700K / AMD Ryzen 9 5900X | RTX 4080+ | 32 GB | 50 GB NVMe SSD |
Key notes:
- 12 GB RAM is the stated minimum — Lies of P built on Unreal Engine 4 can struggle with 8 GB in later acts.
- SSD required in practice. HDD causes level-load hitching that disrupts pacing during boss retries.
- The game does not require constant internet. After activation it plays fully offline.
- Steam Deck: Verified by Valve — runs well at Medium settings, 60fps with FSR Quality.
How to Download Lies of P on PC
Steam
- Open the Steam client and search "Lies of P."
- Purchase the Standard or Deluxe Edition.
- Click Install — approximately 30–35 GB download.
- First launch triggers a brief shader compilation step (~2–3 minutes).
Xbox Game Pass (PC)
- Open the Xbox app on PC.
- Search "Lies of P" and click Install.
- The game installs to the default Xbox app directory (usually
C:\XboxGames\). - Game Pass saves are stored locally — you keep them if you purchase the game after the subscription ends.
Note: Cross-progression between Steam and Game Pass is not supported. Your save file stays on whichever platform you started on.
Best PC Settings for Lies of P (2026)
Open Settings → Graphics from the main menu. These recommendations target the current 1.5.x patch.
Display Settings
| Setting | Recommendation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Display Mode | Fullscreen | Best performance |
| Resolution | Native | Don't run below native without upscaling |
| VSync | Off | Cap FPS manually via RTSS to avoid latency |
| FPS Limit | 60 or 120 (match your monitor) | Uncapped causes input lag on some hardware |
Upscaling
| GPU | Upscaler | Preset |
|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA RTX 20/30/40 | DLSS | Quality |
| NVIDIA GTX | FSR | Quality |
| AMD RX 5000+ | FSR | Quality or Balanced |
| Intel Arc | XeSS | Quality |
DLSS dramatically improves performance on RTX cards with minimal visual tradeoff — enable it at every GPU tier. FSR is a solid fallback.
Graphics Quality (Biggest FPS Levers)
| Setting | FPS Impact | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Shadow Quality | ★★★★★ (highest) | High → Medium saves 10–20% FPS |
| Ambient Occlusion | ★★★★ | SSAO (not HBAO) for ~10% gain |
| Anti-Aliasing | ★★★ | Disabled if DLSS/FSR/XeSS is on |
| Texture Quality | ★★ | Ultra if VRAM ≥ 8 GB |
| Ray Tracing | ★★★★★ | OFF unless RTX 3080+ |
| Motion Blur | ★ | OFF — hurts readability in fast combat |
| Film Grain | ★ | Personal preference — OFF for clarity |
| Depth of Field | ★ | OFF — causes visual confusion near enemies |
Quick low-end preset (GTX 1060 / RX 5500 XT — 1080p/60fps target): Shadow Quality: Medium, AO: SSAO, Anti-Aliasing: Off (use FSR Quality), Motion Blur: Off, DoF: Off, RT: Off.
GPU-Tier Performance Targets
| GPU | Target | Settings |
|---|---|---|
| GTX 1060 6GB | 1080p/45–60fps | FSR Quality, shadows Medium |
| RTX 2060 | 1080p/60fps | DLSS Quality, shadows High |
| RTX 3060 Ti | 1440p/60fps | DLSS Quality, shadows Ultra |
| RTX 3080 | 1440p/60fps+ | DLSS Quality, RT on if desired |
| RTX 4080+ | 4K/60fps | DLSS Quality + Frame Gen |
Game Overview: What Is Lies of P?
Lies of P is a Soulslike action RPG developed by Round8 Studio and published by NEOWIZ. Released September 2023, it has sold 4 million+ copies and earned strong critical praise as one of the finest Soulslike games outside of FromSoftware's own catalog.
The setting is a dark reinterpretation of Carlo Collodi's Pinocchio: you play as P, a puppet built by the genius craftsman Geppetto, awakening in the decayed Belle Époque city of Krat. The once-magnificent city has been consumed by the Puppet Frenzy — an event that caused all the city's worker puppets to turn violently against their human creators. The story's central mechanic is lying vs. telling the truth in NPC conversations, which affects the ending and certain item rewards.
The game is known for its:
- Demanding but fair combat — comparable to Sekiro's parry-forward system with Bloodborne's aggression
- Assembly system — blades and handles are interchangeable between weapons, enabling extensive customization
- Legion Arm — a prosthetic left arm with equippable attachments providing combat utilities
- Deeply atmospheric world — gorgeous art direction inspired by late 19th-century Paris/Belgium
Combat System: Core Mechanics
The Guard System (Key Differentiator)
Unlike Elden Ring (where blocking reduces damage based on shield stats), Lies of P uses a Perfect Guard / Deflect system similar to Sekiro:
| Action | Input | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Block (Hold) | [L1/LB] | Reduces damage; fills Guard Gauge — if full, you're staggered |
| Perfect Guard | [L1/LB] at exact impact timing | Deflects the hit entirely; no damage; refills HP |
| Dodge | [Circle/B] | Invincibility frames (i-frames); good for unblockable attacks |
| Charge Attack | Hold [R2/RT] | Stagger-breaks enemy posture; exposes guard windows |
The game actively teaches you to perfect guard. Most bosses become significantly easier once you internalize the timing. The guard window is generous compared to Sekiro — approximately 0.25 seconds, signaled by a visual flash.
Fatal Attacks (Finishers)
Staggering an enemy (via repeated hits or guard breaks) triggers a Fatal Attack prompt. Press [R1/RB] during the prompt to execute a context-sensitive finisher that deals massive damage and restores HP. Bosses have their own Fatal Attack phases — triggering these is essential to efficient boss fights.
Pulse Cells (Your Estus Flask)
Pulse Cells are your healing items. You start with 2 and can expand to a maximum of 9 via Ergo upgrades. Unlike Dark Souls, healing in Lies of P is slightly faster and works while moving (not while sprinting). Key mechanic: enemies can regain health if you take damage during the heal animation — time heals during safe windows.
Weapon Assembly System
Every weapon in Lies of P consists of two components that can be freely mixed between any compatible weapons:
| Component | What It Determines | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Blade | Damage type, scaling stat, moveset | Electric Coil Stick Blade (Electric ATK) |
| Handle | Secondary scaling, special mechanic | Fire Carrier Handle (adds Overheat) |
Example assembly: Taking the Greatsword of Fate blade (heavy physical, scales with Motivity) and attaching the Carcass Crystal Curved Sword handle (changes grip) creates a hybrid weapon with a new moveset and different stat scaling.
Important rules:
- Assembly is done at Venigni Works or Krat City Hall (workbenches), not in the field.
- Some boss soul weapons cannot be disassembled.
- Fable Arts (special abilities) belong to the Handle — so swapping handles changes your weapon's special move.
P-Organ System (Level-Up Mechanic)
Lies of P replaces traditional attribute points with the P-Organ system, a talent tree. Ergo (the game's currency/experience) levels up P's stats via the Ergo upgrade system at Sophia (your in-game guide), while the P-Organ unlocks passive abilities organized in tiers:
| P-Organ Tier | Unlock Requirement | Example Abilities |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Ergo 1× | Add Pulse Cell slot, Fable Art ATK boost |
| Phase 2 | Ergo 3× | Link Dodge to consume less Stamina, add Recovery |
| Phase 3 | Ergo 5× | Perfect Guard Fable Catalyst, extra Legion Cartridge |
| Phase 4 | Ergo 8× | Fatal ATK buff, Guard Regain increase |
Tips: Prioritize adding Pulse Cell slots (healing charges) and Guard Regain (HP recovery from perfect guards) early. These compound throughout the entire game.
Stats and Scaling (Which Stat to Build)
| Stat | Scales | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Motivity (STR equivalent) | Big/heavy weapons, crushing damage | Slow weapon players; high stagger |
| Technique (DEX equivalent) | Faster weapons, crit multipliers | Aggressive players; dagger builds |
| Advance (Arcane equivalent) | Elemental damage, Status buildup | Electric/Fire/Acid status builds |
| Vigor | Max HP | Universal — increase at every build |
Beginner recommendation: Start with Motivity for heavier weapons (Greatsword of Fate, Puppet's Saber) or Technique for faster weapons (Rapier, Katana). Don't split early — specialization produces better results through most of the game.
Legion Arm Guide
The Legion Arm is P's mechanical left arm, equipped with interchangeable modules (called Legion Arms) found throughout Krat:
| Legion Arm | Type | Utility |
|---|---|---|
| Puppet String (Starting) | Pull | Grabs enemies / items from range |
| Flamberge | Fire lance | Burst fire damage; staggers |
| Fulminis | Electric shock | Applies Electric buildup; excellent vs. machines |
| Pandemonium | Acid launcher | Applies Acid buildup; excellent vs. organic enemies |
| Deus Ex Machina | Buff pulse | Boosts nearby allies (multiplayer future use) |
Each arm uses Legion Cartridges — refilled at Stargazers (checkpoints). Puppet String is deceptively strong throughout the game for repositioning enemies.
Lies vs. Truth: The Story Mechanic
Throughout Krat you make conversation choices that amount to lies or the truth. Key effects:
- Humanity Score (hidden stat) increases with lies — higher humanity unlocks certain late-game dialogue and items.
- Some NPCs respond differently depending on your honesty record.
- The ending is directly affected by a major choice in the final act — there are three distinct endings.
- No choice permanently locks you out of quests until the final area; feel free to experiment early.
Boss Strategy Primer (First Act)
| Boss | Phase | Key Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Scrapped Watchman | 1 (Tutorial Boss) | Practice perfect guard. Attack after he finishes combo strings (3–4 hits). |
| Mad Donkey | 1 | Dodge rather than block; his attacks are fast. Bait the delayed overhead. |
| Parade Master | 1 | Giant humanoid. Stay behind him. Punish the multi-hit body slam. |
| Parade Master P2 | 2 | Sticks attached to his torso — attack the body, not the legs. |
| Geppetto's Monster | Late | Charge attack to stagger. Perfect guard his delayed lunge. Two phases. |
General boss philosophy: Learn phase 1 completely before spending healing items. Most bosses have a very readable pattern — die to the same attack several times until you internalize the dodge timing.
Troubleshooting Common PC Issues
| Issue | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Stuttering in new areas | Shader compilation (UE4) | Occurs on first visit to each area; resolves on re-entry. No fix except waiting. |
| FPS drops in Krat City Hall | Dense NPC+geometry area | Known performance spike; lower Shadow Quality to Medium temporarily. |
| Game won't launch (Game Pass) | WindowsApps permissions | Run Xbox app as Administrator; or reinstall via Xbox App. |
| Controller not working | Steam Input conflict | Disable Steam Input in Steam Big Picture → Controller Settings for this game. |
| Crash after logo screen | VRAM overflow | Lower Texture Quality one tier; ensure GPU drivers are current. |
| Unable to save / cloud sync errors | Steam Cloud sync conflict | Pause Steam Cloud, load game, then re-enable. |
| Audio crackling | Sample rate mismatch | Set Windows audio device to 48000 Hz, 24-bit. |
| Screen tearing | VSync off + no FPS cap | Cap FPS to your monitor's refresh rate via RTSS or in-game limiter. |
Lies of P vs. Elden Ring vs. Sekiro: Which Is Right For You?
| Game | Difficulty | Parry Focus | Open World | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lies of P | Hard | ★★★★ (primary mechanic) | No (linear) | Players who want Soulslike in linear format; Gothic atmosphere lovers |
| Elden Ring | Hard | ★★ (optional) | Yes (massive) | Players who want freedom; easier to avoid hard bosses |
| Sekiro | Very Hard | ★★★★★ (mandatory) | No (semi-linear) | Players who want the purest parry experience; least build variety |
| Bloodborne | Hard | ★★★ (aggressive dodge) | No (hub-based) | Players who prefer speed and aggression over defense |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Lies of P on Game Pass? A: Yes — Xbox Game Pass PC includes Lies of P as of 2026. Check the Xbox app to confirm current availability.
Q: How difficult is Lies of P compared to Elden Ring? A: Comparable in overall difficulty, but combat demands are tighter — perfect guard timing is more central. If you enjoyed Elden Ring, Lies of P will feel familiar but more punishing in individual encounters.
Q: Does Lies of P have multiplayer / co-op? A: No. It is a strictly single-player game. There is no co-op or invasion system.
Q: How long is Lies of P? A: Main story: 25–35 hours. Completionist (all bosses + NPCs + endings): 45–55 hours. New Game+ is available.
Q: Is New Game+ worth doing? A: Yes — NG+ allows you to pursue the alternate endings you missed, and bosses gain additional attacks. Highly recommended for fans of the combat.
Q: Does Lies of P have Steam Deck support? A: Verified by Valve. Runs at 60fps on Medium/Low settings with FSR Quality. Excellent handheld experience.
Q: Is the DLC Overture necessary? A: Not for the base story, but if you finish the main game and want more Krat content, Overture is a substantial addition that answers questions left open at the main story's end.
Q: Can I play with a controller on PC? A: The game is built for controller. Xbox pads work plug-and-play; DualSense works via USB with correct button prompts if Steam Input is configured for PlayStation. The game is not recommended with mouse and keyboard — the parry timing windows feel unnatural without analog input.