Lies of P Director Explains Difficulty Changes for Wider Reach

Lies of P's upcoming DLC, Overture, will introduce difficulty options for the first time.

As a "Soulslike" game, Lies of P is known for its punishing challenge, which can be especially daunting for players drawn to its dark narrative and atmosphere. Initially, Director Jiwon Choi stated the team believed Soulslike games should not include difficulty settings, so the base game launched without them.

Neowiz has since reconsidered this stance, confirming the change was made after carefully reviewing player feedback.

“We wanted to ensure a wider audience could enjoy the game,” Choi explained to VGC. "We received substantial feedback from our community and our development team. By refining the gameplay and introducing these new difficulty options, we can cater to different player preferences. This makes the experience more accessible."

This shift has sparked debate among players regarding the director's change of heart. One player commented: "It's one thing to state you won't alter the difficulty, but it's another to face persistent negative feedback and have it continually brought up in discussions. Adjusting the game to welcome a broader audience is a reasonable response."

"I started gaming around age 24. I use easier settings because, despite loving Lies of P, I struggle with the high skill ceiling—and that's perfectly fine," shared another. "I never had access to game systems as a child, so now, as a working adult, I can finally play, even without years of built-up skills."

"Some Souls veterans oppose difficulty options because they enjoy the prestige of overcoming extreme challenges. I'm glad Lies of P is prioritizing inclusivity over exclusivity," added this player.

However, not everyone is pleased, as seen on Steam forums and social media.

"I was interested in playing, but after the nerfs and the addition of difficulty levels, I lost interest. Developers should stop catering to less dedicated players," complained one user, though the majority of replies in that thread support the developer's decision.

Another stated: "Neowiz had a masterpiece on their hands and turned it into a joke. What a shame." A thread titled "Difficulty settings = Not playing" sits directly above a post from someone who tried the game and found the "difficulty simply unreasonable."

Lies of P: Overture Screenshots

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Lies of P offers a unique, darker interpretation of the Pinocchio tale, blending challenging combat with a dynamic "lie" system where your choices and actions shape the gameplay. The new DLC introduces fresh locations, enemies, bosses, characters, and weapons. It also adds Death March, a mode that lets players re-challenge the game's formidable bosses. Overall, the DLC provides about 15-20 hours of content for seasoned players and becomes accessible after completing a specific chapter. A full sequel to Lies of P has also been announced.

Our review of Lies of P was positive, earning it an 8/10, with the note: "While Lies of P doesn't dramatically deviate from its Soulslike roots, it executes the formula with exceptional skill."