Re: Lies of P, Roboquest - First Thoughts

On 9/24/2024 1:14 PM, rms wrote:

**** Lies of P

    If I recall the 'field clown boss' correctly (he throws long punches) that's once again down to learning his moveset.
   Also, I watched some Pinocchio movies & read the original book after finishing the game (this was back in February):

The moveset is good to learn, but unless you're leaning into blocking/parrying it's just not possible to avoid some of his attacks (much like the last 3 bosses, and probably King of Puppets and the illusion field boss as well, all later) I'd had very good results just dodging up to that point so it took me quite awhile to get that, and I still didn't do it very well, but well enough to win barely.
The problem is it really requires a respec to pull off well since I went into dodge and stagger, neither of which works well on any of those later bosses mentioned. It may also require a certain amulet I don't have because I took a weapon instead (also gimped my late game dodge build because I did that.) which would require starting over completely or going on through NG+
I'm currently stuck on Nameless Puppet who has the same issue as I really don't want to respec, but it's obvious I should.  I don't really care for that kind of design, but it is somewhat typical of souls games, though it feels far more so in this game.  I did end up restarting my DS3 Pyro like 3 times because of similar issues, and 2 times on my sorcerer.
I know I could just finish the game and skip that last optional boss, but I hate to leave it.
I do feel like the game is worthy of another play-through or two, so it's really not that big a deal if I do. Part of me is thinking I don't want it to end too, which may be part of my problem.

 Pinocchio (2019) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8333746/
Having finished Lies of P -- twice! -- I wanted more of this fable, and P2019 is a great choice for that, as it apparently sticks close to the book (which I'll read soon). I've only vague disney notions of the plot and knew nothing of the serious themes that Collodi put into his stories. This film's avoidance of political references, light touch, and more emphasis on empathy, sentimentality, and the humorous side of dark humor go really well with the wonderful artstyle, and I had a great time with it; loved the costuming and acting as well. Big thumbs up!

I haven't seen that one, I'll see if it's available somewhere.

Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1488589/
Alas, I'm sorry to say that, as a movie, this title fell flat for me. The stop-motion art style had a rudolf-the-rednose-reindeer look that I scoffed at; the shoehorned-in fascism & catholicism exasperated me, and was not what I expected or wanted to see. And here's where a second viewing would be entirely warranted. Watching and reading the excellent batch of Criterion extras, it smacked me in the face how much deep thought and passion del Toro & company put into this project.
 The *technical* side of producing a full-length stop-motion film is a massive undertaking, is discussed in some depth in the extras, but is almost a distraction. The *ideas* del Toro wanted to emphasize -- the *idea* of puppetry, of being taught to speak and behave as ideologies would have you; that respect must be earned; that showing kindness often requires sacrifice -- these are present in other del Toro films as well, and are worth exploring more.

I love stop motion, but something about this one just put me off from seeing it. Guillermo del Toro movies are hit or miss with me.  I don't like the idea of the other political stuff thrown in either, poor Pinocchio has enough darkness to deal with even in the original Disney animation in his coming to age story if I remember correctly.

 Here's where Lies of P re-enters the picture, as I see many parallels with del Toro's themes, especially in the late game and different endings, which involve sacrifice and acceptance or rejection of parental dominance. Good stuff to ponder.

I was just seriously surprised how good this game is in story and atmosphere. From the shorts I've seen it looked really goofy, playing it is very very different. I was also surprised I generally liked the mechanics and didn't mind the lack of mage or similar options (adaptability appears to be somewhat of a mage, but even less than the option in BB.)
I do keep feeling like I need a gun, why can't I just pick up one of the rifles some of the soldier puppets have?  I suppose one of the arms is one though, and the harpoon one is pretty good fully upgraded, which is sort of a type of gun.
Awesome game.  I can't really recommend to non-souls vets as it's pretty damn hard in some parts and compared to my plays of BB & ER at least it's equal or harder, and I've gotten too good at these games to properly judge anymore.
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-Justisaur
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