Previously, we had a lengthy discussion about the game “Lies of P“. Back then, we found it to be impressive. With two years passing and numerous updates, our initial opinion on the core game hasn’t shifted much. Interestingly, there’s a significant amount of excitement for a potential sequel due to the captivating cliffhanger in the original ending. At present, the developers at Neowiz have introduced the “Overture” DLC, which primarily aims to provide additional context rather than introducing new plot points for the story we’ve already experienced in the base game.
Let’s tackle an important matter before moving on. The expansion, named “Overture”, is designed for late-game play in “Lies of P”. You won’t be able to access it until you’ve progressed through the ninth chapter of the main game. As a result, it features a new set of characters and a location different from the base game in terms of both geography and time. This could potentially lead to unintentional spoilers for the main storyline. In fact, Neowiz recommends completing the base game at least once before diving into the DLC.
Using this method for the DLC, it’s worth noting that Overture does have a few drawbacks. The primary issue is that to fully appreciate the DLC’s engaging storyline, you should be reasonably well-versed in the main plot of Lies of P. Moreover, since the DLC is designed for play during the latter stages of the main game, if you’ve already embarked on a New Game Plus run, you’ll need to restart from the beginning because there are some complications with the difficulty settings in Overture. We’ll delve into that aspect later.
It’s great that the abridged version of “Overture” is shorter than the original game. This makes it so that the action picks up speed more rapidly, without taking too much time.
In the base game, by the time you can initiate the DLC for Lies of P, it’s almost at its climax. Starting Overture at this point, however, causes a pause in the storyline as it takes its time to introduce new characters and settings. Fortunately, the shorter duration of Overture compared to the base game ensures that the action picks up speed fairly quickly.
Moving on, let’s discuss Overture, which, in essence, offers an enjoyable enhancement to Lies of P. Unlike anticipating it to establish foundations for a future installment, this DLC is primarily focused on delving into the past of the main setting, Krat. This allows us a clearer view of the city as it stands on the edge of the catastrophe we experience in the core game. One of the most exciting moments early in the game is even catching a glimpse of one of Krat’s major structures before its demise – the Krat Zoo.
Viewing Krath Zoo from a high vantage point and reaching it reveals one of the main difficulties that Overture encounters: a scarcity of checkpoints, particularly in the early stages of the DLC. In Lies of P, this issue isn’t as noticeable due to the game’s exceptional level design, which frequently introduces shortcuts. However, these aspects, while still present in Overture, have been notably reduced. In fact, if you perish in the early stages of Krath Zoo, your nearest checkpoint is at the top of the cliff, meaning a lengthy journey back.
“There is definitely an element of checkpoint starvation, especially in the DLC’s earlier parts.”
Moving on to discuss the subject, now seems as appropriate a moment as any for addressing the balance and overall challenge. The unveiling of Overture has led to an update for Lies of P, introducing two less demanding difficulty settings, while maintaining the original level for those seeking a tougher experience. This setup is ideal for the main game, but the DLC appears to tell a separate tale. Certain regular enemies in Overture seem excessively powerful, with attacks capable of swiftly depleting your health bar after only a few hits.
By the way, it appears that this issue doesn’t seem to impact the newly introduced boss battles, which align well with those encountered in the main game. Although they don’t offer anything groundbreaking, these boss battles are still entertaining. For instance, the zoo presents you with a formidable giant alligator early on. Additionally, there are numerous puppets to combat, including one of the new villains, Markiona, whom you engage in a dual-boss fight. In summary, the DLC’s boss fights seem more balanced compared to the common enemies encountered throughout the game.
Regarding common adversaries, the game Overture introduces several fresh types of foes to engage with, such as numerous enraged beasts. Yet, the DLC also relies heavily on recurring enemies from the main game, like zombified canines and people.
“Overture is exactly what Lies of P needed to begin with – just more Lies of P.”
A key point to understand about Overture is that it continues along the lines of the original game, not offering anything dramatically new. Although it refines the combat and weapon crafting mechanics as seen in Lies of P, it doesn’t introduce major storylines or decisions that will impact future playthroughs of the base game significantly. The narrative is engaging but remains mostly independent from the main game, with minimal effects on the overall gameplay.
Instead, Overture serves as the perfect starting point for Lies of P, offering even more of what the game already has. Its fresh locations and challenging boss battles are simply remarkable, and any significant problems within the entire DLC could be addressed with a few balance adjustments or updates.
A developer who knows what made a game great will often enhance the good aspects and expand the game. Lies of P: Overture, unlike major expansions such as Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree or Bloodborne’s The Old Hunters, might not be an extensive DLC you may anticipate. However, it remains a highly enjoyable way to spend your weekend after getting accustomed and avoiding initial deaths from common enemies.
This game was reviewed on PC.
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2025-06-12 14:12