Lies of P Director Clarifies Difficulty Adjustment: 'Aiming for Broader Accessibility'

Lies of P, the critically acclaimed "Soulslike" game, is set to introduce difficulty options with its upcoming DLC, Overture. This marks a significant shift for the game, which was initially released without any such adjustments, adhering to the traditional challenging nature of the genre. Director Jiwon Choi had previously expressed that the team believed Soulslike games should not feature difficulty options. However, after listening to extensive player feedback, Neowiz has decided to implement these changes to cater to a broader audience.

Choi elaborated on the decision, stating to VGC, "We wanted to make sure a wider audience of players could play the game. We have a lot of feedback from customers, and from our developers. So by making development adjustments and introducing these difficulty options, we can offer the experience to different types of players. This broadens the base."

The announcement has sparked a lively debate among the gaming community. Some players appreciate the move, seeing it as an inclusive step that allows more gamers to enjoy Lies of P's dark and compelling story. One player shared, "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."

Another player criticized the so-called "Souls elitists," stating, "Souls elitists don't want difficulty because they like bragging about their video game achievements. I'm glad Lies of P is not servicing them."

However, not all reactions have been positive. Some players feel that the addition of difficulty options dilutes the game's essence. A comment on the Steam discussion forums read, "Was interested in playing, but after all the nerfs and adding difficulty levels, I lost interest. Game devs, please stop catering to babies," though most replies supported the developer's decision. Another player expressed disappointment, saying, "You had a masterpiece on your hands Neowitz, and you turned it into a laughing stock. For shame." A thread titled "Difficulty settings = Not playing" contrasts sharply with another player's experience who found the game's difficulty "ridiculous."

Lies of P: Overture Screenshots

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Lies of P offers a unique, darker twist on the classic tale of Pinocchio, featuring a challenging action game with a dynamic "lie" system that influences gameplay. The new Overture DLC will expand the game with new locations, enemies, bosses, characters, and weapons, and introduce Death March mode, allowing players to battle the game's bosses again. The DLC is expected to take experienced players 15-20 hours to complete and will unlock after a specific chapter. Neowiz has also announced a full sequel to Lies of P.

Our review of Lies of P awarded it an 8/10, stating, "Lies of P might not branch out particularly far from its Soulslike inspiration, but it plays the part extremely well."