Lies of P: Overture DLC [PlayStation 5] | REVIEW

Nearly two years on from its initial release, Lies of P remains one of the best souls-like releases outside of FromSoftware’s catalogue. And now, with the newly released expansion Overture, developers Neowiz and Round8 Studio have proven it was no fluke. Sure, the DLC might not re-invent the formula, but it does take what already worked and pushes it further, offering a rewarding expansion that builds upon the base game’s foundations with stronger level design, deeper lore, and some genuinely thrilling bosses.

Check out some screenshots down below:

Set before the Puppet Frenzy outbreak that devastated Krat, Overture drops players into the city’s darker past. The DLC takes its time with storytelling, fleshing out characters and lore that previously felt like background detail, and whilst it introduces fewer central figures than the base game, each one serves a clear purpose in the unfolding drama. Lore hunters and returning fans will especially appreciate how decisions and story moments ripple into the present timeline, and whilst the fact that the game is a prequel can undermine the stakes a little, it’s still fascinating to see the small details that help build to the unfolding of chaos.

The expansion doesn’t shake up the core gameplay mechanics, but instead strengthens them with a batch of new weapons and gear that significantly change how players can approach combat. Standouts include the Gunblade-inspired Pale Knight great sword and the Royal Horn Bow, which introduces reliable ranged attacks into the mix to build upon established strategies from the base game in fresh and exciting ways. New Talismans also deepen the possibility for custom builds, with player experimentation certainly at the forefront when tinkering with new tools.

“Overture might not be a total reinvention, but it’s a sharp and confident expansion that knows exactly what fans love about Lies of P – and gives them more of it with plenty of style and substance.”

Of course, boss encounters also remain a highlight, with each showdown fresh, intense, and often visually spectacular (no spoilers, but the final boss easily stands out as one of the best the game has offered so far). Some older bosses do make a return as mini-bosses, but these feel more like welcome callbacks than recycled content – even IF seeing some of these old foes all over again brought back memories of tricky showdowns. As before, these fights test not just skill but patience and adaptability, and fans who’ve already mastered the base game will find that they still manage to remain challenging and engaging.

I’ve got to give high praise to the level design too, with the new environments of Lies of P: Overture more open than before. Whilst the Krat Zoo has been highlighted leading up to the release of the DLC, there are plenty of other locales to uncover that manage to balance out the satisfaction of exploration and discovery in some really intriguing ways that play to the game’s strengths. This Krat might not be as devastated as in the main game, but it’s never felt more fascinating to explore.

Check out some screenshots down below:

Be ready for a TOUGH time though, with Lies of P: Overture upping the ante with enemy encounters and stacking the odds against the player – especially for those returning after time away. The expansion assumes a high level of familiarity and skill since it’s accessible late on in the base game, so if you were hoping to simply drop back in with ease, you’re in for a surprise. The addition of new difficulty options can ease this a little for players, but you’ll still have to perfect your skills if you want to see it through to its conclusion (or even play the Overture content in the first place).

Besides the excellent new content, Lies of P: Overture also brings some smart quality-of-life adjustments, such as a visual level-up progress bar, boss rematch options, and expanded build flexibility for a smoother and more customizable experience. These additions help round out the expansion into more than just extra content – they show a team iterating and improving on their work with care. Lies of P feels better than ever to play with Overture, and given the high standard of the base game, it’s a bloody impressive feat. I simply cannot wait to see what the team does next with a potential sequel…

Developer: Neowiz, Round8 Studio
Publisher: Neowiz
Platform(s): PlayStation 5 (Reviewed), PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
Website: https://www.liesofp.com/