Lies of P's upcoming DLC, Overture, marks a significant shift by introducing difficulty options for the first time. As a "Soulslike" game, Lies of P is known for its challenging gameplay, which can be particularly daunting for players new to the genre but drawn in by its dark narrative and setting. Initially, director Jiwon Choi had expressed that Soulslike games should not include difficulty options, and the game launched without them. However, following extensive feedback from the player community, Neowiz has reconsidered this stance.
Choi explained to VGC, "We wanted to ensure that a broader audience could enjoy the game. We've taken on board a lot of feedback from our customers and developers alike. By adjusting the development and introducing these difficulty options, we can cater to different types of players, thereby expanding our game's reach."
The introduction of these options has sparked varied reactions among players. Some applaud the move, seeing it as a way to make the game more accessible. One player wrote, "I would imagine it's a lot easier to say that you don't want to change the difficulty than to be inundated with negative reviews over it and have it constantly be brought up during discussions of your game and not have any urge to change it so a broader audience can enjoy what you made."
Another player, who started gaming later in life, explained, "I got into gaming around the age of 24. I'm using the easier difficulty settings because, as much as I love Lies of P, I have a major skill issue, and that's okay. I just thought it would be nice hearing why someone would reasonably want the difficulty settings. I never got to own any systems when I was a kid, so now I can as a working adult who doesn't have 10+ years of skills."
On the other hand, some players feel that this change dilutes the game's original appeal. A user on the Steam discussion forums wrote, "Was interested in playing, but after all the nerfs and adding difficulty levels, I lost interest. Game devs, please stop catering to babies," although most replies supported Neowiz's decision. Another comment stated, "You had a masterpiece on your hands Neowitz, and you turned it into laughing stock. For shame." A thread titled "Difficulty settings = Not playing" contrasts with another where a player described the game's difficulty as "ridiculous."
Lies of P: Overture Screenshots
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Lies of P offers a unique take on the Pinocchio story, blending it with a challenging action game and an innovative "lie" system that impacts gameplay dynamically. The Overture DLC expands the game with new locations, enemies, bosses, characters, and weapons. It also introduces Death March mode, allowing players to rematch the game's bosses. The DLC is expected to take seasoned players about 15-20 hours to complete and will become available after reaching a specific chapter in the game. Neowiz has also confirmed plans for a full sequel to Lies of P.
We thoroughly enjoyed Lies of P, giving it an 8/10 and noting, "Lies of P might not branch out particularly far from its soulslike inspiration, but it plays the part extremely well."
