A dark adaptation of the Italian 19th-century novel, The Adventures of Pinocchio, Lies of P repurposes a great deal of content from its source material. Perhaps most notable is the names and likenesses of many of its characters - a vast number of whom occupy the role of the game's main and mini-bosses. In spite of this, Lies of P neglects to include a few figures that are incredibly significant in the novel, some of whom would make for exceptional bosses in any future DLC. Though not all omitted characters would suit the dark ambiance of the game, some are perfectly suited for life in the city of Krat.
As with the vast majority of action RPGs, the most significant threat that faces the protagonist of Lies of P, Pinocchio, is the game's numerous incredibly powerful bosses. Although these bosses are, for the most part, all entertaining to face and incredibly well-designed, there are a number of startling omissions from this roster of adversaries - many of whom could conceivably play a significant part in any potential future Lies of P DLC.
7 The Farmer
Although in some translations Giangio is known as Farmer John, there is an unnamed Farmer that could be an interesting boss battle in Lies of P's future DLC. This Farmer, although a comparatively insignificant figure, previously had a watchdog named Melampo. If included in the DLC as a boss, perhaps the Farmer and his Dog could work in tandem to terrorize Pinocchio. The deadly combination of aggression, speed, and power would make for a potentially devastatingly difficult boss battle. With that being said, the lack of a substantial background would allow the developer to make the Farmer whatever they want.
6 The Parrot
The Parrot is a loquacious creature in the source material, who takes a great deal of joy in lying to, manipulating, and mocking Pinocchio. This antagonistic beast would make for an excellent optional mini-boss - perhaps constantly goading the player to engage with them. Furthermore, they would not be the first adaptation of a bird from the novel to feature in Lies of P - The White Lady is based on the Pigeon and the Owl Doctor on the Owl. However, while these two mini-bosses are elegant, even graceful, competitors, perhaps the Parrot could be a dirty and very vocal fighter that, to a certain degree, mimics the strategies of the player.
5 The Ringmaster
Although a rather obscure figure in the grand narrative of the novel, the Ringmaster is one with extraordinary potential as a boss in Lies of P. His main role in The Adventures of Pinocchio is to purchase the puppet from the Coachman - a blessing as the Coachman is a reprehensible man; however, the Ringmaster is not a great deal kinder. Though the Ringmaster is potentially a component in the characterization of the Mad Puppet Clown or Parade Master, a dedicated boss battle based on the Ringmaster and his circus would be an excellent and potentially terrifying feature in future Lies of P DLC.
4 The Serpent
Like many of the other animal characters in The Adventures of Pinocchio, the Serpent has a great deal of potential as a mini-boss in Lies of P. Furthermore, like the Red Fox, the Black Cat, and the Mad Donkey, the inclusion of the Serpent could also bring with it excellent character customization options in the form of cool costumes and accessories. In the novel, the Serpent is an enormous snake with mesmerizing green scales, vivid red eyes, and a tail that appears to be ablaze. The Serpent would undoubtedly be an excellent addition to Lies of P DLC, even if they are not a significant factor in the overall plot.
3 The Coachman
The Coachman, also known as the Little Man depending upon the translation, is the main antagonist of Carlo Collodi's The Adventures of Pinocchio. It is baffling, therefore, that he is not a prominent feature in the Lies of P base game. The Coachman is the owner of Land of Toys; although this may imply he is a jovial figure, he is far from kind. This undoubtedly evil figure kidnaps disobedient and lazy children and turns them into donkeys - either keeping them to pull his enormous stagecoach or selling them into hard labor - hence the inclusion of the Mad Donkey mini-boss.
How this abominable figure would fit into potential future Lies of P DLC is difficult to predict; however, his ability to transform children into donkeys could play a part. Perhaps he could turn Pinocchio into a donkey as he does in the source material, or, possibly, his ability to transmute life into a different form could be an explanation for the pestilence that has ravaged the city of Krat. No matter how he manifests in the game, the Coachman is certainly a potential main boss who would be a welcome and obvious addition in any future Lies of P DLC.
2 Mangiafuoco
Mangiafuoco serves as a secondary antagonist in Carlo Collodi's novel; however, he is simply reduced to faceless factory robot in Lies of P as King's Flame, Fuoco in Venigni Works – one of the game's easier bosses. This is an enormous disservice to his significance in the source material, and, moreover, a great shame - primarily as Mangiafuoco has such exceptional potential as a near insurmountably difficult fire-weapon-wielding foe in the thematically dark and rugged world of Lies of P. The disappointing simplification of his character could be resolved, however, if Mangiafuoco ends up being a more central boss, and core plot component of the potential upcoming DLC.
The director of the Great Marionette Theater, Mangiafuoco is a conflicted character in the novel. On one hand, he is shown to be kind and compassionate; on the other, he is imposing and quick to anger - at one stage he desires to use Pinocchio as firewood before threatening to throw another puppet, Harlequin, on the pyre. Perhaps his willingness to listen to reason could come into play in a potential new Lies of P depiction, or possibly Mangiafuoco could be presented as a giant mad pyromaniac with an insatiable desire to murder the protagonist by using his wooden corpse as kindling.
1 The Terrible Dogfish
Perhaps the most glaring omission from the base game is the complete absence of the monolithic sea creature, the Terrible Dogfish. This behemoth plays a pivotal role in the final act of The Adventures of Pinocchio, yet it is nowhere to be found in Lies of P. Furthermore, the absence of the Terrible Dogfish is yet more bemusing as it undoubtedly would be perfect as a late-game boss - in a manner potentially similar to the Green Monster of the Swamp. Although not guaranteed a place in Lies of P's DLC, and not yet teased, the inclusion of the Terrible Dogfish would be welcomed by those familiar with the source material.
In The Adventures of Pinocchio, the Terrible Dogfish holds a significant place as the novel's final antagonist. It is an enormous foe, a mile-long and five-story-high - although this scale would be unreasonable in-game, an adaptation of the beast could still capture its enormity, as well as the threat it poses. In the novel, the Terrible Dogfish swallows Geppetto, and Pinocchio endeavors to rescue his creator - a task that would be impossible if not for the Terrible Dogfish's asthma and need to sleep with its mouth open. This Achilles heel could easily be replicated in-game, perhaps not an exact copy, but a similar exploitable weakness that Pinocchio must utilize to win.
Image sources: Richard Johnson, storynory.com