Did you enjoy Lies of P? The game, a Soulslike version of the story of Geppetto and Pinocchio, was very successful when it was released in 2023. Now, it seems that we can have our first proper glimpse of what the game’s sequel could become. A pair of new trademarks have appeared at the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), registered by publisher Neowiz, for a mysterious project called ‘Wonders of O’. The tags included in the copyright notice include “interactive multimedia software for playing games; computer software for providing multiple user access to a global computer information network; computer game software downloadable from a global computer network and wireless devices; computer game software downloadable from a global computer network,” etc., so it’s safe to say we’re looking at a video game registration. Additionally, Neowiz is the owner of the application. All signs point to this being a sequel. In terms of the name, you don’t need to be a detective to figure out the naming pattern there, right? I wonder what the ‘O’ could refer to. Oz, perhaps, from The Oz books that form a series of books beginning with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900), by L. Frank Baum. There are 14 books in the Oz canon, so there will certainly be a lot to draw from there, if that’s where the Korean developers choose to go with the sequel. Will it be connected to Lies of P or just a standalone project? It remains to be seen. It’s also worth noting that the first game’s post-credits scene seemed to feature Dorothy, the heroine of the early Oz books. Imagine. Watch it on YouTube Actually, this isn’t the first time we’ve heard about this game. Just after the release of the first title, the developers confirmed that a sequel is in the works. Then, in August, a Lies of P documentary teased that the upcoming game “will be really fun and emotionally moving,” indicating a bit more ambition on the part of the studios behind the title compared to the relatively narrative-light original game. The documentary also revealed a bit about the studio’s philosophy: An internal Round8 team, known as Nough, is dedicated to “testing and refining” its projects before release, and proudly proclaims that it makes “gamer games.” “We’re giving everything we have to make it the best it can be. So please wait a little longer,” director Choi Jivon noted in the documentary. “You won’t be disappointed, we promise. This is the truth, not a lie.” Very appropriate for the Pinocchio-themed game. Eurogamer’s three-star review of 2023’s Lies of P said it has “solid enough foundations in its edgy tone and modified weapons,” but “it’s highly unlikely they can beat the originals at their own game.” Stay tuned for more information soon. A Game Awards reveal, perhaps? We’ll see.
