When Lies of P was first released, it made a name for itself through the perfect fusion of dark fairy-tale aesthetics and Soulslike gameplay. Now, with the release of its first DLC, Overture, the game doesn’t reinvent the wheel or bring any earth-shattering innovations—but it does deliver a deeply satisfying experience built on an already solid foundation.
This roughly 12-hour new journey serves as a prequel, throwing the protagonist back into Krat, the mechanical city plagued by catastrophe. As before, the environments remain oppressive and gloomy, the enemies eerie and grotesque, yet every scene is still meticulously crafted and rich in detail. The newly added areas and boss battles clearly show that the development team has grown even more adept at pacing and player experience.
Playing Overture feels a bit like revisiting a favorite old restaurant. You already know the dishes are reliable and the service is great, and you’re familiar with the overall process—only this time, a few new dishes have been added to the menu, making the whole experience just as enjoyable. As Jason, an American Soulslike enthusiast, recently shared online after finishing the DLC in one go over the weekend: “There aren’t many surprises in the flow, but being able to return to this fantastical yet brutal world feels like seeing an old friend again.”
Overture isn’t merely filling in narrative gaps from the original—it actually provides a kind of emotional closure, a sense of “completion.” Many of the hints and foreshadowing left unexplained in the main storyline finally come to light in this DLC, and some revelations may even make you exclaim, “So that’s what that line meant back then.” It’s like rereading a mystery novel years later, only to find that the author’s newly released side story suddenly reveals that all the overlooked clues had been there all along.
The newly added environments are particularly well designed. Early on, you pass through a deranged zoo, ambushed by monkeys, elephants, and crocodiles in scenes reminiscent of a Hollywood horror movie about animals gone mad. Later, there’s an ice lake battle and a chaotic fight with puppet pirates aboard ships—so much so that British player Michelle commented, “I almost thought I was playing a dark version of Pirates of the Caribbean.” These fresh designs bring immense visual and atmospheric impact, leaving a strong impression.
However, not everything is brand new. Some areas, like the amusement park, feel similar to parts of the main game, and repeated enemy types—such as the too-many-teeth rabid dogs and the standard mechanical puppets—somewhat weaken the sense of discovery. While still acceptable, a bit more daring creativity and deviation from the comfort zone would have made it even better.
One of the series’ most beloved elements—the boss fights—remains strong in Overture. The number of bosses isn’t large, but each one is distinct, ranging from gigantic monsters wielding massive weapons to agile humanoid elites with rapid attack-and-defense rhythms. Every battle tests your timing and observation. The final boss, in particular, features such over-the-top attack patterns that players will find themselves laughing and cursing through repeated attempts, evoking memories of being “taught a lesson” by certain Bloodborne bosses.
American player Robert shared, “It took me three nights to beat the final guy, but when I finally did, I screamed so loud in my living room that I nearly scared my wife off the couch.” That’s the essence of Soulslike games—the coexistence of pain and triumph, an emotional cocktail that Overture reignites brilliantly.
Gameplay-wise, things haven’t changed much. The combat remains punishing yet precise, and the maps retain their linear structure. The new weapons, like clawed gloves, give agile players more build options, while new amulets and passive upgrade systems allow greater flexibility in character customization. These additions may not revolutionize the experience, but for returning players, they’re more than enough to rekindle the urge to dive back in.
Still, Overture carries over some flaws from the base game. Certain sections have uneven difficulty spikes, with sharp jumps between minor enemies and bosses. Combat still leans heavily toward Bloodborne’s fast-paced aggression, lacking the RPG-style freedom seen in Elden Ring. While these issues don’t ruin the experience, in a 2025 landscape brimming with polished Soulslike titles, it may be time for Neowiz to consider how to push the genre further.
All in all, Overture feels like an extended special episode—a polished, expanded revisit to a familiar story that offers meaningful closure. For players still waiting for the next installment, this DLC serves as a spectacular intermission, reigniting the thrill of controlling a puppet and cutting down monsters in a cold, twisted world. And if you ever found yourself wandering through the night streets of Krat, then this “Overture” is absolutely worth another encore.
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