Lies of P: Overture Review – An Exemplary Encore that Redefines the Soulslike Experience
In the ever-evolving landscape of action RPGs, particularly within the challenging domain of Soulslike games, certain titles manage to transcend expectations, offering experiences that resonate long after the credits roll. Lies of P, developed by Neowiz and Round8 Studio, emerged in 2023 as a formidable entry, weaving a dark, fairy tale-inspired narrative with meticulously crafted combat and an atmospheric world. Now, with the release of its ambitious Overture DLC, we find ourselves presented with an addition that doesn’t merely extend the original game’s playtime but boldly reinvents it, delivering an exemplary encore that stands as a testament to the developer’s vision and prowess. This expansive content, priced at $29.99 and boasting a substantial 20+ hour runtime, is less an add-on and more a full-fledged expansion, artfully ripping free from the narrative constraints of the base game to surprise and utterly delight. It introduces a wealth of new enemies with truly wild new attack patterns, multiple uncharted locales within the city of Krat, and a narrative arc that, remarkably, elicited genuine emotional responses. While we anticipated quality from Neowiz, given the excellence of the original Lies of P, the sheer strength and impact of Overture have exceeded even our highest hopes, solidifying it as a worthwhile investment for anyone who relished the initial journey through this unique Pinocchio-inspired adventure.
A Journey Back in Time: Unraveling Krat’s Pre-Frenzy Secrets
Overture masterfully shifts the player’s focus away from the immediate aftermath of the Puppet Frenzy, instead transporting us into the hallowed past of Krat, mere days before the catastrophic outbreak. What makes this temporal shift particularly impactful is the preservation of all your existing knowledge, progression, weaponry, and items from the base game. This allows players to seamlessly integrate their hard-earned skills and equipment into a fresh, yet familiar, narrative. Pinocchio, our resilient protagonist, finds himself following in the footsteps of the enigmatic “Legendary Stalker,” driven by a quest for answers surrounding his mysterious arrival in this bygone era. This narrative impetus serves as the perfect catalyst for exploring previously unseen areas of Krat. These new environments are not mere cosmetic changes; they are meticulously designed, breathing new life into the world. We are treated to an abandoned zoo, its once vibrant displays now eerily silent and decaying; a macabre carnival, hinting at the fleeting joys that preceded the city’s downfall; a frozen shipyard, a stark testament to the encroaching cold and despair; and an estate that, tantalizingly, lies at the very heart of the entire Lies of P story thus far. Each location is imbued with a distinct atmosphere and a wealth of environmental storytelling, further deepening the player’s immersion.
Evolving Combat: New Legion Arms and Formidable Foes
The introduction of new locales within Overture also brings with it a suite of welcome additions to the game’s established combat formula. Chief among these are two new Legion Arms, each offering distinct tactical advantages. The first, a spinning saw arm, provides a relentless source of damage, ideal for maintaining pressure when direct attacks are unfeasible. While not as fundamentally game-altering as some of the base game’s Legion Arms, its consistent damage output is a valuable asset. The second new arm, reminiscent of Bloodborne’s firearm mechanics, allows for potent ranged attacks. Though neither arm dramatically redefines player approach in the same vein as, for example, the Flamberge or Aegis, they offer nice ways to keep damage numbers rolling and add further depth to combat encounters.
However, the most significant expansion to the combat system comes in the form of a massive swath of new enemies designed to challenge even the most seasoned players of Lies of P. Every new location is populated with unique adversaries, moving beyond simple cosmetic reskins. We encounter infected apes, their primal fury unleashed; decrepit elephant-hippo-horse monstrosities, grotesque amalgams of biological horror; ravenous sharks, a terrifying aquatic threat; frenzied sailors, their desperation fueling their aggression; and zombie dogs, their loyalty twisted into predatory instinct, among many others. What truly sets these new foes apart are their all-new attack patterns. These are not merely tougher versions of existing enemies; they require players to master entirely new defensive and offensive strategies, providing a fresh layer of demanding, yet rewarding, challenge. As dedicated enthusiasts of thematic design, we can attest that the thought developers Neowiz and Round8 Studio have put into Overture’s new enemies is thoroughly appreciated. The process of discovering new foes, alongside the introduction of a few new weapons, items, and amulets, remained a consistent and delightful treat throughout our playthrough.
Boss Encounters: A Symphony of Scale and Unpredictability
The new bosses featured in Overture are where Neowiz and Round8 Studio truly shine, demonstrating a willingness to experiment and push the boundaries of the Lies of P formula. Several of these encounters feel utterly unlike anything seen in the base game, both in terms of their visual design and their intricate combat mechanics. Two bosses, in particular, left an indelible impression, impressing us with their sheer scale and the captivating arenas in which these titanic struggles took place. These encounters are not just tests of reflexes; they are operatic battles that demand strategic thinking and perfect execution.
In conjunction with our exploration of Overture, we took the opportunity to rigorously test the two new difficulty settings that have been introduced to Lies of P alongside this substantial content update. The highest difficulty is the default, the very same setting on which we initially conquered Lies of P and subsequently Overture. However, before facing these formidable bosses in their ultimate challenge, we subjected each to trials on the two more accessible difficulty levels. We are pleasantly surprised by the team’s dedication to creating an easier experience without sacrificing the core fun and inherent challenge that defines Lies of P. This thoughtful approach ensures that players of varying skill levels can engage with and enjoy the game’s intricate combat. It is particularly noteworthy that both new difficulties have been retroactively applied to the base game for free. This generosity is further bolstered by an update that includes a boss rush mode and the ability to replay previously beaten bosses, offering players ample opportunities to hone their skills and relive their most triumphant moments.
On these easier difficulties, the challenge is not diminished to the point of triviality. Enemies and bosses do not simply become pushovers; players are still required to parry, dodge, and attack with precision to achieve victory. The difference lies in a slightly more forgiving margin for error, which provides a perfect playground for less experienced Soulslike players to gradually understand the intricate mechanics and rhythms of these demanding games. This inclusive design philosophy is an addition worthy of significant praise and something that other developers in the genre would be wise to emulate to broaden their game’s appeal and reach new audiences.
Narrative Resonance: Emotional Depths and Thematic Brilliance
Much like its acclaimed predecessor, Overture strategically prioritizes its storytelling, presenting a narrative that is easy to parse on a surface level, yet remains sufficiently mysterious and secretive to encourage and reward thorough exploration. We found ourselves engrossed in the act of discovering new notes and audio logs, each fragment providing crucial context to the unfolding events and the broader tapestry of the narrative. The narrative itself is, quite simply, fantastic. It admittedly begins with a seemingly unremarkable premise – the simple directive to follow clues to find the Legendary Stalker – but its eventual trajectory left us deeply impressed by Neowiz and Round8 Studio’s nuanced approach to narrative within a genre often characterized by inaccessible and unnecessarily obtuse storytelling.
The culmination of this narrative journey is truly remarkable. The final hour of Overture delivered a series of moments that provided genuine chills, introducing a subtle yet profoundly impactful mechanical twist that directly engaged with the nature of the enemies we had been fighting. This twist forced us to reflect deeply on the very purpose of adversaries in an action game of this caliber, elevating the experience beyond mere combat. The final boss fight stands as one of Lies of P’s most formidable challenges yet, characterized by relentless, hard-hitting attacks that kept us perpetually on our toes until the very last second of combat. We will refrain from revealing specific plot points here, but suffice it to say, this climactic sequence masterfully rewards the player’s accumulated hours of experience and dedication.
With a finale that wraps up Lies of P neatly in a bow, akin to the very ones Gepetto so often lugged through Krat, we are left with a profound sense of fulfillment and gratitude for this peculiar yet undeniably unique Pinocchio-inspired package. Overture, much like its exceptional base game counterpart, represents an excellent Soulslike journey that positively oozes confidence, pure fun, and a deep, abiding appreciation for the genre. It is an expansion that not only meets but significantly exceeds expectations, solidifying Lies of P as a benchmark for future Soulslike titles.
Score: 9/10
About Our Review System: Our review scores are a holistic reflection of a game’s merits, considering gameplay mechanics, narrative depth, artistic presentation, technical performance, and overall player experience. A score of 9 indicates an exceptional title that is highly recommended and sets a high standard within its genre. We strive to provide comprehensive and insightful evaluations to help players make informed decisions.