Unmasking the Untold Secrets: How Resident Evil Surpasses Lies of P's Vinyl Catalog

Highlights

Lies of P stands out among other Soulslike games with its digestible storytelling and familiar mechanics.

The game incorporates a one-of-a-kind deception mechanism that influences the relationships between characters and the eventual outcomes. Additionally, it provides a calming atmosphere through its collection of records.

Resident Evil could greatly benefit from adopting Lies of P's record player functionality to heighten the atmospheric effect of its save room themes, granting players the ability to choose their preferred tracks.

Lies of P is a haunting and unnerving tale, blending tragedy and solemnity. Unlike other Soulslike games, it presents its story in a more accessible manner, drawing inspiration from The Adventures of Pinocchio. However, it still maintains the core mechanics and elements that define the genre. Players familiar with FromSoftware's other non-Armored Core games will find themselves at home in Lies of P, knowing how to build their character and anticipate hidden enemies.

Despite imitating FromSoftware's games, Lies of P also brings unique elements to the table. One such feature is its lie system, where dialogue choices can impact character relationships and the game's endings. Additionally, the game creates a serene atmosphere through its record collection, providing a pleasant experience when interacting with NPCs or performing activities in Hotel Krat. This aspect is something that Resident Evil could learn from.

Lies of P’s Records are as Narratively Impactful as They are Atmospherically Enriching

Records in Lies of P are rare collectibles that can be viewed and listened to at Hotel Krat's record player. The game enables players to listen to these tracks while carrying out their activities in the game's hub. These tracks have a classical charm and melancholic Belle Epoque atmosphere, which are integral to the world-building of Lies of P. The records themselves are ideal for completionist collectors.

Obtaining records involves various methods such as completing side quests, purchasing them from merchants, or selecting specific dialogue options. For instance, players will only receive the "Quixotic" record if they give Red Fox and Black Cat a Gold Coin Fruit when requested. Likewise, the "Why" record can only be obtained by deceiving Belle and falsely claiming that Atkinson died in action fighting a puppet.

Resident Evil’s Save Room Themes Could Afford to Include Records or Music Selections

Collecting all records in Lies of P has a crucial role in the narrative. It allows P to react to Ergo as he gradually embraces his humanity, regardless of whether he was deceiving others throughout the adventure. Moreover, playing these tracks creates a captivating atmosphere in one of the rare places where P experiences a sense of safety. This respite is also reflected in the save/safe rooms in Resident Evil, where players can finally relax and breathe a sigh of relief upon finding them.

By resembling the safe rooms in Resident Evil games, Hotel Krat evokes a sense of familiarity among fans. These safe rooms, where players would seek refuge to momentarily escape the horrors, were crucial in the survival horror genre of Resident Evil. They housed typewriters and storage boxes, and players would frequently dart back and forth to these rooms when faced with limited inventory space.

Furthermore, when players step into a save room and the distinctive theme starts playing, they can finally relax and release the tension. These musical themes have become a nostalgic hallmark for fans, helping them recall their favorite installments and debating which games have the most memorable save room themes. However, by incorporating the record player feature from Lies of P, Capcom could enhance the atmospheric ambiance of the save rooms even further.

If players could find and collect records or other audio sources to play in the save rooms, they would have the ability to choose their desired ambiance. While it is true that players spend more time in Lies of P's expansive Hotel Krat compared to Resident Evil's save rooms, the option to listen to selected Resident Evil themes would be a valuable addition for players. It would provide a delightful source of entertainment as they ponder over which items to take or store and devise strategies to navigate the treacherous labyrinth of the environment.

Lies of P is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.