Enotria and Lies of P Are Two Sides of the Same Coin

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Enotria and Lies of P Are Two Sides of the Same Coin

Key Takeaways

  • Enotria: The Last Song draws heavily from Italian folklore and history to create a beautiful setting on the Amalfi Coast.
  • Enotria emphasizes parrying in its combat, but the overwhelming amount of build options may undermine its core mechanic.
  • Enotria and Lies of P, both Soulslike games inspired by Italian lore, approach the genre from contrasting angles.

As someone who has spent countless hours exploring the dark and twisted realms of Bloodborne, I must admit that Enotria: The Last Song is like a breath of fresh Mediterranean air. While it shares similarities with Lies of P, another Soulslike game inspired by Italian folklore, it offers a unique twist on the genre that sets it apart.

Jyamma Games’ “Enotria: The Last Song” is the latest addition to a growing list of Soulslike and Soulslike-inspired games from emerging studios. It joins the likes of “Black Myth Wukong” and “Lies of P” as a standout title for their creators. While “Black Myth Wukong” leans more towards being a conventional third-person action RPG, “Enotria” aligns closely with “Lies of P” by embodying the Soulslike genre. In essence, “Enotria” serves as the bright, sunny counterpart to “Lies of P,” with “Dark Souls” as its darker inspiration, while “Bloodborne” is for “Lies of P.” Despite both games being Soulslikes that draw from Italian folklore, “Enotria” and “Lies of P” share fewer similarities than one might assume.

As an enthusiast, I’d say my personal take is that the tale and ambiance of Enotria resonate deeply with Italian history and folklore, masterfully reimagining the iconic Amalfi Coast and its distinctive vistas. On the other hand, Lies of P also leans heavily on Italian folklore for its narrative and setting, particularly Carlo Collodi’s classic children’s book The Adventures of Pinocchio. However, when it comes to the setting, it seems more akin to the gothic horror of Bloodborne than the picturesque Mediterranean coastline. Both games do emphasize a specific playstyle centered on parrying, but while Lies of P’s build diversity fortified this style, Enotria, in my view, struggles under its abundance of choices.

Enotria and Lies of P Tackle the Soulslike Genre From Opposing Sides

The primary distinction between the worlds of Enotria and Lies of P is clearly their contrasting backdrops. However, when it comes to their interpretations of the Soulslike genre, they adopt almost diametrically opposed strategies. While Lies of P adopts the aggressive parry-focused combat style and eerie ambiance reminiscent of Bloodborne, Enotria appears to be a reinterpretation of many concepts introduced in the original Dark Souls by FromSoftware. This likeness is evident in both their combat mechanics as well.

In contrast to Enotria, where parrying is given significant emphasis over other defensive techniques such as blocking or dodging, Lies of P fully embodies this approach similar to a blend between the aggression and swiftness found in Bloodborne and the parrying in Sekiro. This combat style is supported by how it manages aspects like character movement, traversal, enemy placement, and equipment within the game. Conversely, Enotria appears to cater to various gaming styles as a more diverse alternative to Dark Souls, even though it promotes its parry mechanic.

Enotria’s Character Progression and Buildcraft Undermine its Parrying Rather than Support It

One key difference between Enotria and other Soulslikes in the growing subgenre is its multi-build feature, which sets it apart. However, this flexibility can also be a drawback when it comes to the game’s parry mechanic. Unlike Lies of P where parrying is crucial regardless of player builds, Enotria struggles under the pressure of so many options. Confrontations with bosses or tough enemies often become nearly impossible without parrying, leading players to frequently resort to a preferred build that makes Enotria’s core mechanic less relevant.

Additionally, the game Enotria offers a multitude of possibilities for the player during encounters. There are three Masks to choose from, each offering a unique build and equipment setup. Furthermore, there are numerous weapons, Mask Lines, and Path of Innovators perks that players can customize. Interestingly, some of these options contradict the game’s focus on parrying, a feature that Lies of P never undermines as Enotria, its “Italian Soulslike” equivalent, consistently prioritizes.

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2024-09-22 20:24