Is “Wonders of O” the Next Chapter for the Lies of P Universe?
The gaming community is buzzing with speculation regarding the future of the Lies of P franchise. Recent filings suggest that Neowiz, the publisher behind the acclaimed soulslike title, has officially registered a trademark for “Wonders of O,” sparking intense debate over whether this serves as the title for the highly anticipated sequel.
A New Direction for Nough
Originally brought to life by Round 8 Studio-which has since undergone a rebranding to Nough-Lies of P made a significant impact upon its 2023 debut. The studio has maintained momentum with consistent support, including the Lies of P Overture DLC released this past June and the recent expansion of the game’s reach to the Switch 2 platform last month. With the studio now established under its new identity, fans are eager to see how they will evolve the dark, mechanical aesthetic that defined their first major hit.
Connecting the Dots: From Krat to Oz
While some skeptics point out that the trademark filing style mirrors that of the original game, the thematic implications are difficult to ignore. To understand the potential direction of “Wonders of O,” one must look back at the final moments of Lies of P. In a climactic reveal, the character known as Giangio-who identifies himself as Paracelsus-departs the city of Krat. His dialogue strongly implies a quest to track down Dorothy, a revelation punctuated by a lingering camera shot of iconic ruby red slippers and striped stockings.
This narrative breadcrumb points directly toward L. Frank Baum’s classic, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. While the literary world has seen countless reinterpretations of Oz-ranging from the gritty reimagining of Tin Man to the musical spectacle of Wicked-the medium of video games offers a unique opportunity for a darker, more visceral take on the source material. Given the studio’s success in twisting the tale of Pinocchio into a grim, Victorian-inspired nightmare, there is high potential for them to craft a similarly compelling and unsettling version of the Land of Oz.
What Lies Ahead?
As of 2024, the soulslike genre continues to thrive, with player engagement metrics showing that fans are increasingly hungry for narrative-driven experiences that subvert classic fairy tales. If “Wonders of O” is indeed the next project from Nough, it will likely lean into the same atmospheric storytelling that made Lies of P a standout success. Whether this will be a direct sequel or a spiritual successor remains to be seen, but the industry is watching closely to see how this dark fantasy evolution unfolds.
