Lies of P, like many other big video games, went through content cuts before its official release last year. While the exact details of all the areas, items, and concepts that Neowiz and Round 8 Studios had to remove from this popular Soulslike game may remain a mystery to players, some interesting snippets of the scrapped content have been uncovered by dedicated fans.
From the moment it was first introduced, Lies of P attracted the attention of numerous Soulslike enthusiasts, drawing comparisons to FromSoftware's Bloodborne. While its captivating art style and fresh take on Soulslike mechanics generated excitement, few could foresee the game's ultimate quality. The final version not only served as a solid alternative to a FromSoftware title but also impressed players with its engaging gameplay and innovative progression systems, offering a challenging and intricate experience against a unique backdrop. However, this success did not come without sacrifices.
The Unseen Side of Lies of P
The Omitted ACAB Reference
In the world of Lies of P, the storyline revolves around the conflict between humans and puppets, with the latter rebelling and triggering the Puppet Frenzy. At one stage of development, the game creators planned to draw a parallel between this fictional conflict and the real-world issue of police brutality. They intended to include a sign with the letters APAB, a clear nod to ACAB (All Cops Are Bastards), a slogan commonly associated with anti-police sentiments.
Despite featuring in an early gameplay trailer, this sign was eventually removed from the final game. Ji-Won Choi, the director of Lies of P, explained to Sports Illustrated that the team decided to eliminate this reference to ensure the game would be judged on its own merits rather than in the context of real-world controversies. Given the fantastical and dark nature of Lies of P, which bears little resemblance to reality, the developers made a prudent choice in cutting this reference to avoid potential backlash.
The Shrunken Tenth Chapter of Lies of P
Upon entering Chapter 10 in Lies of P, players descend via a secret elevator from Hotel Krat into a vast cave. Above them, they can spot a network of bridges, cliffs, and platforms near the cave's ceiling, but this area is inaccessible. Through mods and exploits, players have managed to explore this section, revealing bridges and cliffs leading up to a mysterious room and an elevator platform that likely served as the original entrance to the level.
The removal of this area was probably intended to enhance the pacing and ambiance of Lies of P. Following a descent from Hotel Krat only to traverse a relatively unexciting path of rope bridges and cliff edges would likely have been anticlimactic, making this cut a sensible decision by the developers.
A Variety of Items Left Out of Lies of P
Dataminers have uncovered several weapons and key items that were excluded from the final version of the game. While some of these items may have been minor, others could have been linked to significant side content in Lies of P. Some of the removed items include:
- Cricket Mark: a quest item that could have forged a bond with The Survivor
- Leo's Bell: a tool to summon The Survivor into battle
- Rose: symbolizing friendship at 'Murphy's tree'
- Handkerchief: a gift for Belle, likely replaced by Atkinson's Letter
- The serrated circular saw weapon from an early gameplay trailer
As players continue to dig into the game's files, more cut content may come to light. There is also speculation that upcoming Lies of P DLC might reintroduce some of this discarded material.