Lies of P director tweaks difficulty for wider appeal

The upcoming Lies of P DLC "Overture" will mark the game's first implementation of difficulty options.

As a Soulslike title, Lies of P has been notoriously challenging—particularly for newcomers drawn to its grim narrative and atmosphere. Initially, director Jiwon Choi maintained that Soulslikes shouldn't include difficulty settings, launching the base game without them.

Developer Neowiz has since reconsidered this stance, stating the change followed careful consideration of player feedback.

"We wanted to ensure a broader audience could experience the game," Choi explained to VGC. "After evaluating player and developer input, we adjusted our approach—implementing difficulty options to accommodate different playstyles while expanding accessibility."

The announcement has sparked debate among fans. One player commented: "Critics constantly cited the lack of difficulty options when discussing the game. It’s understandable that developers would eventually address this—why limit your audience?"

"As someone who started gaming in my 20s, easier settings help bridge my skill gap without sacrificing enjoyment," shared another. "Not everyone grew up mastering difficult games, and that’s valid."

A third player added: "Some treat difficulty like a badge of honor, but accessibility shouldn’t threaten their ego. I’m glad Lies of P prioritizes inclusion over elitism."

However, dissent remains. On Steam forums, one user wrote: "Between difficulty adjustments and nerfs, my interest faded. Stop dumbing down games." Most responses in the thread, however, supported the developer's decision.

Another critic claimed: "Neowiz had something special before caving to casual demands," while a thread titled "Difficulty Settings = Instant Pass" appeared alongside one stating: "This game’s challenge is absurd."

Lies of P: Overture Screenshots

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Lies of P reinvents Pinocchio’s tale as a brutal action-RPG, where choices impact gameplay through its "lie" system. The Overture DLC expands this world with fresh areas, enemies, bosses, characters, and gear. It also debuts Death March—a boss-rush mode for veterans. The expansion offers 15-20 hours of content, unlocked after progressing past a specific story chapter. Neowiz has already confirmed a full sequel is in development.

In our 8/10 review, we praised Lies of P as "a meticulous soulslike that executes its vision with precision," despite staying closely aligned to genre conventions.