Lies of P: New Difficulty Options and Overture Expansion Shake Up the Soulslike Genre
Lies of P, the Soulslike inspired by Pinocchio, is making waves with the upcoming prequel expansion, Overture, and the addition of groundbreaking difficulty options. This move aims to broaden the game's appeal, potentially reshaping the future of Soulslike accessibility.
Almost two years after its initial release, Lies of P is set to expand its universe with Lies of P: Overture, a prequel that delves deeper into the grim world of Krat. Developed by Neowiz and Round8, this expansion introduces players to Krat Zoo, a location teased in the main game. Expect mutated creatures and challenging encounters that demand strategic rethinking.
"Krat Zoo is a fun location for the expansion, and continues the main game’s streak of having highly detailed architecture for the player to explore," reports VGC. The zoo’s abandoned exhibits and mutated versions of animals create a subtly woven world-building experience, tying into the game’s narrative in unique ways.
The mini-boss encounters prove to be intense, with one standout featuring a rhino whose head explodes into a chimera, composed of former zoo attractions. This unexpected challenge forces players to adapt and master new combat strategies.
Perhaps the most significant change is the introduction of difficulty options. Game director Jiwon Choi explained that this decision arose from both player feedback and internal development adjustments. The new difficulty settings, "Butterfly’s Guidance" and "Awakened Puppet," aim to make the game more accessible without sacrificing the challenging essence of the Soulslike genre. The original difficulty will now be named "Legendary Stalker."
This move addresses a long-standing debate within the Soulslike community: should these games offer difficulty settings? While some argue that the inherent difficulty is crucial to the experience, others believe that it prevents potential players from enjoying the genre. Lies of P attempts to bridge this gap by offering easier and harder levels of difficulty, potentially attracting a new audience and allowing them to explore the game's rich story and world.
Overture will introduce a new "Battle Memories" mode, allowing players to replay boss fights on five difficulty levels. This feature will appeal to both newcomers and veterans, offering a chance to hone their skills and experience the game in new ways.
Polygon's Austin Manchester notes that new difficulty options would be great especially for veterans. Some bosses in Lies of P can be frustrating, and the ability to enjoy the game by lowering the difficulty on future playthroughs can circumvent such frustrations.
With a sequel in development, Lies of P: Overture serves as a compelling bridge between the main game and what's to come. The addition of difficulty options and the introduction of challenging new content have the potential to redefine the Soulslike genre, bringing in new players while offering fresh experiences for long-time fans.
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