Lies of P director on difficulty tweak: Expanding player appeal

Lies of P's upcoming DLC, Overture, marks a significant shift by introducing difficulty options for the first time in this challenging Soulslike experience.

As a Soulslike title, Lies of P presents formidable challenges that may deter less experienced players drawn to its dark narrative and atmospheric setting. Initially, director Jiwon Choi maintained that Soulslike games shouldn't include difficulty options, launching the base game without any accessibility features. Now, developer Neowiz has reconsidered this stance after carefully evaluating player feedback.

"We wanted to ensure the game reaches a broader audience," Choi explained to VGC. "After analyzing player and developer feedback, we adjusted our approach. Introducing difficulty options allows different types of players to enjoy the experience."

The announcement has sparked lively discussions among players. One observer noted: "It's one thing to reject difficulty options ideologically, but another to face consistent criticism limiting your game's accessibility. This change welcomes more players."

An adult-onset gamer shared: "I started gaming at 24 and appreciate easier settings. While I adore Lies of P, my skills don't match veterans with decades of experience - and that's perfectly fine." Another player added: "Some Souls purists just want to gatekeep achievements. I'm glad the developers are prioritizing broader enjoyment over elitism."

Not all reactions have been positive, as evident across Steam forums and social media. One detractor claimed: "All these nerfs and difficulty options ruined my interest. Stop catering to casual players." However, most responses supported Neowiz's decision. Another critic argued: "You compromised the game's integrity," while a separate thread titled "Difficulty settings = Not playing" appeared alongside player complaints about the game's punishing nature.

Lies of P: Overture Screenshots

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Lies of P reimagines Pinocchio's tale through a dark, challenging action-RPG lens with innovative "lie" mechanics affecting gameplay. The Overture DLC expands this universe with new areas, enemies, bosses, characters, and weapons. It introduces Death March mode, allowing players to re-challenge all bosses. The DLC offers 15-20 hours of content for veterans, unlocking after reaching a specific story chapter. Neowiz has already confirmed a full sequel is in development.

In our review, we awarded Lies of P 8/10, praising it as: "A remarkably polished Soulslike that honors its inspirations while delivering a distinctive experience."