Friday Fortissimo – 2/2: “Feel” (Lies of P)

Welcome back to Friday Fortissimo! February is here, and what better way to usher in this month of candlelit dinners and chocolate cavities than by gushing about the games (and music) we love?

Our first entry of the new year spotlights a game I’ve been playing as part of my 2024 Gaming Backlog Challenge—and that’s Lies of P.

The Skinny on Lies of P

If you’re a fan of the Soulsborne series, odds are you’ve heard of this title. Developed by Neowiz Games and Round8 Studio and inspired by Bloodborne and Pinnochio, Lies of P is a retelling of Carlo Collodi’s famed fantasy novel, set to the rhythm of a FromSoftware game.

As Pinnochio, you’ve been tasked by your creator Geppetto with investigating the Puppet Frenzy, a world-stopping revolt that transformed once peaceful puppets into murderers. Adding to the intrigue is the Petrification Disease, an inextricably linked phenomenon that is turning humans into monsters. At Geppetto’s behest, Pinnochio must explore the city of Krat and find a way to stop the madness.

Where Bloodborne went Gothic in its style and tone, Lies of P goes Victorian. Everything—from its cobblestone roads to its grand architecture—paints a picture of industry, commerce, and progress. Yet, a Souls-like isn’t complete without its darker underpinnings, and Lies of P doesn’t hold back. For every magnificent opera house or seaside view, there’s a bloodthirsty beast or hulking heavy waiting to tear Pinnochio apart. Humans may seem civil by comparison, but they’re always out to swindle and cheat.

To survive, Pinnochio himself must learn to adapt. Over a 35-hour campaign, you’ll explore Krat and its surrounding areas, including dark sewers, abandoned factories, and murky bogs. You’ll do battle with puppets, monsters, and people alike. You will die a lot and, perhaps most importantly, you will lie a lot.

In mastering this art of deceit, Pinnochio will learn firsthand what it’s like to be human.

The Significance of “Feel” in Lies of P

While lying is a surefire path to his goal, there’s another way for Pinnochio to gain humanity. Odd as it sounds, you do it by listening to music.

Hotel Krat is located at the heart of Krat. It’s also your home base—think Dark Souls’ Firelink Shrine or Elden Ring’s Roundtable Hold. When you’re not busy upgrading your weapons or abilities, you can take a breather by the hotel’s gramophone.

Here, you can play songs you’ve acquired through side quests, shopkeepers, and other means. And though the music on the whole is stellar, there’s one track that goes above and beyond the rest: “Feel.”

Acquired by reuniting a woman with her baby, “Feel” is easily my favorite record you obtain. Crooned by singer-songwriter Seo Jayeong—and backed by the sultry tones of a trumpet, guitar, piano, and drum quartet—“Feel” is a passionate jazz ballad I never expected in a game about killer puppets and mindless zombies. It tells the story of a pair of lovers dancing through the night, grooving to the music, feeling good. Quite the contrast.

But, it works well! Lies of P is a heavy game, and having a hopeful song to balance out the darkness with some light is a welcome addition. It also serves as a cheeky easter egg: As spotted by an eagle-eyed (owl-eared?) Redditor, most if not all of the gramophone tracks in Lies of P are callbacks to a previous set of music and rhythm games known as the DJMAX series, also owned by Neowiz.

Listen for yourself. (I still can’t believe it, honestly.)

Which Version of “Feel” Do You Prefer?

Regardless of its inception, “Feel” is an exceptional track that adds dimension to an already fantastic Souls-like in Lies of P.

Which version of “Feel” describes your mood heading into the weekend? Let me know in the comments.