Sony’s PlayStation Plus Essential offerings have been hit-and-miss over the past few months, and many players feel they haven’t gotten their money’s worth, especially as the subscription has become more expensive each year.
Thankfully, with Lies of P finally coming to PlayStation Plus Essential, more players can now enjoy one of the best Soulslikes in recent memory. It’s also one of the rare PlayStation Plus titles to score above 80 on Metacritic. In contrast, recent additions like ARK: Survival Ascended and NBA 2K25 received middling reviews with scores below that mark.
Lies of P stands out as a Soulslike done right. With so much talk of fatigue in the genre, it’s tough for new titles to break through. But Lies of P brings a unique twist to the Pinocchio fairy tale, adding its own strange, lovecraftian edge. The game tells the story of a boy who wants to be human, while wrapping it in a dark world filled with deadly viruses, grotesque monsters, and unforgettable boss fights, echoing the haunting tone of FromSoftware’s Bloodborne.
Now is the perfect time for Soulslike fans to dive in, as Lies of P just received its expansion, Overture, on all consoles. It features a brand new adventure packed with bosses that could rival Messmer the Impaler from Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, and it explores events set before the main story. Unfortunately, it won’t be included in the PlayStation Plus offer, but players can purchase it separately.
Compared to most Soulslikes, Lies of P gets almost everything right. It has that same sense of cryptic lore, winding pathways with conveniently placed shortcuts, and a roster of bosses that’ll have you tossing your controller in frustration. But most importantly, what makes Lies of P work is the responsive combat system, with parry mechanics that could rival Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.
It’s still a tough game, especially for those new to the genre, but it’s a solid entry point. Its systems are more streamlined and polished compared to Dark Souls and Elden Ring, making it easier for newcomers to grasp.
If Sony continues to offer free monthly games with Metacritic scores above 80, it could mark a turning point for its often-criticized subscription service. While it still can’t quite compete with Xbox Game Pass, it keeps building its own identity, and titles like Lies of P are exactly what it needs.
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