Neowiz, the developer behind the critically acclaimed Soulslike game Lies of P, has announced the introduction of two new difficulty modes alongside its upcoming Overture DLC. This significant development aims to make the challenging game more accessible whilst maintaining its core identity.
The addition includes ‘Butterfly’s Guidance’, an easier mode designed for newcomers to the genre, and ‘Awakened Puppet’, a more demanding option for seasoned players. These new modes represent a thoughtful evolution in the ongoing discourse about accessibility in Soulslike games, traditionally known for their unforgiving difficulty.
Game director Jiwon Choi emphasised the studio’s commitment to player inclusivity, stating, “We wanted to make sure the wider audience of gamers could enjoy the game altogether with different traits and characteristics.” This philosophy underlies the careful balance between maintaining the game’s fundamental challenge whilst opening doors to a broader player base.
The Soulslike genre has historically maintained a steadfast position on fixed difficulty levels, making this development particularly noteworthy. By introducing variable difficulty options, Lies of P charts new territory in a genre often criticised for its steep learning curve and limited accessibility.
Beyond the new difficulty settings, the Overture DLC will introduce ‘Death March’, a boss rush mode designed for players seeking an ultra-challenging experience. This addition demonstrates Neowiz’s commitment to serving both ends of the skill spectrum, ensuring the game remains engaging for veterans whilst becoming more approachable for newcomers.
The development team has focused on creating clear, comprehensible challenges that provide subtle hints for progression, particularly in boss encounters. This approach represents a sophisticated evolution in game design philosophy, where difficulty serves the player experience rather than defining it.
These changes signal a potentially transformative moment for the Soulslike genre. As one of the first major titles to implement such comprehensive difficulty options, Lies of P could influence future developments in how challenging games approach player accessibility.
The new features will be available both as part of the Overture DLC and as an update to the base game, ensuring all players can benefit from these accessibility improvements regardless of their purchase decisions.
Source: PCGamesN
