Difficulty Options have long been a point of contention among fans of the soulslike genre, but Neowiz and Round 8 have decided to include them in Lies of P with the Overture DLC update. Many fans of the genre feel like difficulty options fly in the face of the desired challenge level, which they feel represents the very heart of soulslike games. However, others feel that it creates a barrier to entry that ostracizes many players who feel the challenge negates enjoyment. With all of this in mind, this guide will explain how difficulty options work in Lies of P, and whether it's worth using them if you are struggling.
How to Use the Extra Bag in Lies of P
Accessing the Extra Bag in Lies of P can be a bit confusing. Here's what you need to know.
All Difficulty Modes in Lies of P
Base Game and DLC:
The new difficulty modes in Lies of P affect both the base game, and the new Overture DLC expansion. There are now three difficulty modes:
- Butterfly's Guidance – "Very Easy"
- Awakened Puppet – "Easy"
- Legendary Stalker – "Standard"
It is important to remember that while the two new modes contain the word 'easy' in their titles, they are anything but. Legendary Stalker represents the game's standard mode – essentially how it existed before difficulty options were added. The difficulty modes offer the following descriptions:
Butterfly's Guidance:
- "A very easy difficulty for players who want a story-focused experience. You can experience the story without being impeded by combat."
Awakened Puppet:
- "An easy difficulty for players who enjoy lighthearted action games. You can experience the story with lighter combat challenges."
Legendary Stalker:
- "The standard difficulty for players who enjoy tense action games. You can experience the story while enjoying challenging combat."
How to Change Difficulty in Lies of P:
You can set the Difficulty Level when you first start a New Game, but this is not the only time. You can change the difficulty level any time you want by entering the Gameplay menu. Difficulty Options are the first item on the list.
You can change the difficulty level at any time. It will not cause the game to reload, as many do, so you will not lose any progress by making this change.
Boss Rush Difficulty Settings:
The new Boss Rush game mode in Lies of P also features difficulty settings. These, however, are simply numbered 1-5. At first, only challenge level 1-3 will be available. These three difficulties line up with the game's normal difficulty modes, with level 3 representing Legendary Stalker. You must complete level 3 to unlock levels 4 and 5.
Best Difficulty for Beginners in Lies of P
While there is no doubt that Lies of P was meant to be played on the Legendary Stalker difficulty – this is the original difficulty offered at release after all – it can be a painfully difficult game that may turn some players off to the experience. Lies of P offers far more than just difficult combat, so if you find yourself struggling early-on, there is absolutely nothing wrong with switching to either of the easy difficulties.
In fact, starting the game on Awakened Puppet or Butterfly's Guidance will allow you to learn enemy timing under far better conditions. We would even go as far as to say that new players should probably begin the game on an easier setting.
It is important to note that even the easier difficulties in Lies of P can pose a serious challenge. These are 'easy' only in relation to the incredibly punishing standard mode. This means that completing Lies of P at any difficulty level is something to be proud of. Currently, there is talk from the developers of lowering the difficulty level even further, and if this happens, we will add the information here.
Lies of P
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 82 /100 Critics Rec: 88%
WHERE TO PLAY
Lies of P is a thrilling soulslike that takes the story of Pinocchio, turns it on its head, and sets it against the darkly elegant backdrop of the Belle Epoque era.
You are a puppet created by Geppetto who’s caught in a web of lies with unimaginable monsters and untrustworthy figures standing between you and the events that have befallen the world of Lies of P.
You are awakened by a mysterious voice that guides you through the plagued city of Krat - a once lively place that has been poisoned by madness and bloodlust. In our soulslike, you must adapt yourself and your weapons to face untold horrors, untangle the unfathomable secrets of the city's elites and choose whether to confront predicaments with the truth or weave lies to overcome them on the journey to find yourself.
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Genre(s)
- Soulslike
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- How Long To Beat
- 20 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 35 GB (November 2023)
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
