Since its release in late 2023,Lies of Phas become a very popular and well-received Soulslike among critics and gamers across the board. Taking on a unique setting based around Carlo Collodi’sThe Adventures of Pinocchio,Lies of Phas set itself apart nicely in a genre crowded with new titles. To that end, developers Neowiz Games and Round8 Studio are currently hard at work on its first major DLC and a proper sequel.
Thus far, the development team has chosen topiecemeal its announcements related toLies of P’s downloadable content, with very little info outside of the occasional announcement that it’s still in the works. This is somewhat similar to the approach of another developer working on a Soulslike-adjacent product: Team Cherry, creator ofHollow Knight: SilksongLies of Pshould continue to take notes fromSilksong, even if there are things it can learn from that game’s announcements.
Lies of P Should Follow Hollow Knight: Silksong’s Footsteps
Lies of P’s Developers Should Keep Their Heads Down
Much like how Team Cherry haskept silent as it’s developedHollow Knight: Silksong, Neowiz and Round8 should stay silent while working onLies of P’s DLC. WhileSilksong’s silence has been cause for criticism among its passionate fanbase, it’s good that Team Cherry has focused its attention on just working on the game instead of dropping constant teases. Even with the long wait, it sets expectations at the door and ensures that gamers aren’t filled with false hope.
Neowiz and Round8 should do the same withLies of P’s first downloadable content. Instead of dropping constant teases that confuse fans or give the expectation that it will be released soon, the teams should just put their heads down and work on the project. Even if that leads to more silence than fans might like, it will be worth it when the finished product is finally released.
Lies of P Can Still Learn From Silksong’s Development
Even so,Lies of Pcan learn one thing fromHollow Knight: Silksong’s development timeline: open communication. While it’s understandable thatSilksonghas taken a long time and gamers will understand that Team Cherry wants to make it as good as possible, the sheer lack of communication has been cause for some criticism. Considering that the game was announced five years ago, it’s not unfair for fans to want an open line of communication with the developers on the game’s progress.
IfLies of Pcan learn anything fromSilksong’s development, it’s to at least keep the fans informed. The team doesn’t need to drop copious amounts of teases that create expectations, but a simple acknowledgment that progress is being made will be good enough. Director Jiwon Choi recently penned a letter to fans discussing the DLC, which is a good start when it comes to keeping fans informed about its development.
IfLies of Pcan learn anything fromSilksong’s development, it’s to at least keep the fans informed.
Neowiz and Round8 Should Plan For Lies of P’s Future
What’s more, Neowiz and Round8 should take notes fromSilksong’s development because, beyond the downloadable content,aLies of Psequel is on the horizon. Given that the first downloadable content is still being worked on a year after the game’s initial release, the sequel will probably take even longer to develop. Having a plan in place for announcing new content is important now, as it will help the teams communicate better once the sequel is ready to get promoted.
Hollow Knight: Silksong’s development cycle hasn’t been perfect, and there’s certainly a valid reason to expect better communication. With that said,Team Cherry’s commitment to keeping its head downand working on the project - come Hell or high water - is something other developers can take notes from. Neowiz and Round8 should definitely learn from this as it preparesLies of P’s first DLC and its eventual sequel.
Lies of P
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.
