I still remember the exact moment when Lies of P dropped in September 2023—it absolutely destroyed my expectations! 🎮 What started as cautious curiosity turned into an obsessive 80-hour journey through one of the darkest, most twisted reimaginings of Pinocchio I'd ever witnessed. Now, as I sit here in 2026, my hands are literally trembling with anticipation because Director Choi Ji-won just promised us something that sounds completely bonkers: a sequel that aims to deliver "the highest level of entertainment ever." Yeah, you read that right. EVER.
The Expansion That Changed Everything
Let me take you back to June 2025 when Lies of P: Overture launched. I downloaded it expecting maybe 5-10 hours of extra content, some new weapons, perhaps a bonus boss or two. What I got instead was basically a whole new game disguised as DLC! 😱
Director Choi Ji-won dropped an absolute bomb during his interview at the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 when he said: "We didn't consider it a simple expansion, but rather a sequel and an entirely new project." And honestly? I felt that in every single frame. The narrative depth was insane, the visual density made my PS5 work overtime, and the gameplay polish... chef's kiss! 👨🍳
This wasn't just content—it was a statement of intent. Round8 Studio basically used Overture as a test run for what they're planning next, and if that's the baseline, I'm genuinely concerned for my sleep schedule when the full sequel drops.
What Makes This Sequel So Mind-Blowingly Ambitious?
Now here's where things get absolutely wild. During that same interview with GamesRadar+, Choi Ji-won addressed the future of the franchise with the kind of confidence that either means they're sitting on something revolutionary or they're completely insane. Maybe both? 🤔
The director confirmed that Round8 Studio is working around the clock—and I mean literally grinding—to ensure the upcoming sequel doesn't just meet the standards of the first game. No, no, no. They want to surpass them entirely. Let that sink in for a moment.
Based on the hints we've gathered, here's what I'm expecting:
Combat Systems That'll Melt Your Brain
The original Lies of P had some of the most satisfying combat I've experienced in a Souls-like. The weapon assembly system, the perfect guard timing, the legion arm abilities—all of it clicked in ways that made me feel like an absolute gaming god (until I got destroyed by the same boss for the 47th time 💀).
But "deeper combat systems"? That's terrifying and exciting in equal measure. I'm imagining:
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More complex weapon fusion mechanics that let us create truly unique builds
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Enhanced enemy AI that adapts to our playstyle (please have mercy)
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Expanded legion arm varieties with potentially game-breaking combinations
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New parry/counter systems that reward even riskier gameplay
Environments That'll Make Your Jaw Drop
The original game's Belle Époque-inspired Krat was hauntingly beautiful. The puppet-infested streets, the decrepit opera house, the clockwork horrors lurking in every shadow—I spent hours just soaking in the atmosphere. "Richer environments" suggests we're getting:
| Feature | Original Game | Sequel Expectations |
|---|---|---|
| Map Size | Large interconnected areas | Potentially massive open zones |
| Visual Detail | Stunning Victorian steampunk | Next-gen ray tracing showcase |
| Environmental Storytelling | Excellent | Industry-defining |
| Secret Areas | Many | Absolutely ridiculous amounts |
Storytelling That'll Destroy Your Emotions
Okay, this is the part that really gets me. The original Lies of P took a children's fairy tale and turned it into a philosophical nightmare about humanity, identity, and the nature of truth. The choice system genuinely impacted how I saw Pinocchio's journey, and that ending? I'm still processing it. 😭
"Even more audacious storytelling" from Choi Ji-won means they're planning to push narrative boundaries in ways we haven't seen. I'm talking:
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Multiple protagonists or perspectives
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Branching storylines with drastically different outcomes
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Deeper lore connections to other fairy tales (Red Riding Hood DLC when?)
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Choices that actually matter in ways that'll haunt us for years
NEOWIZ's Master Plan: Gaming Domination?
Here's something most people aren't talking about: NEOWIZ isn't putting all their eggs in one basket. While Round8 Studio focuses on the Lies of P sequel, the publisher is quietly developing a whole arsenal of new projects. We're talking:
✅ A fresh Souls-like RPG (because apparently one masterpiece wasn't enough)
✅ A narrative-driven role-playing game (give me all the story!)
✅ An action-adventure survival title (interesting pivot)
✅ A life simulation game (wait, what?)
This multi-genre expansion is either genius or completely insane. They're clearly trying to establish themselves as a major player across different gaming categories while maintaining that narrative-first identity that made Lies of P special. It's like watching a studio speedrun their way to industry relevance, and honestly? I'm here for it. 🚀
The Waiting Game: What Happens Next?
As someone who's been following this franchise religiously, the lack of concrete details is both frustrating and thrilling. We don't have:
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A release date (even a vague one)
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Gameplay footage
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Story teases beyond vague promises
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Platform confirmations
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Even a proper title!
But you know what? That's probably a good thing. The fact that Round8 Studio isn't rushing this gives me confidence they're cooking something truly special. After Overture set such an absurdly high benchmark for post-launch content, they know the sequel needs to be perfect.
My Completely Unrealistic Wish List
Look, I know I'm setting myself up for disappointment, but here's what I'm desperately hoping for:
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Co-op multiplayer - Imagine experiencing this nightmare with a friend! 👥
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New Game+ that actually changes the story - Not just harder enemies, but altered narratives
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Photo mode - I need to capture these horrifying puppets in 4K glory
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Boss rush mode - Let me practice without replaying entire chapters
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Expanded character customization - I want my Pinocchio to look exactly right
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Dynamic weather systems - Imagine fighting in a thunderstorm
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More music tracks - The original soundtrack was phenomenal
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Easter eggs referencing other fairy tales - Give me that extended universe!
The Souls-like Genre in 2026
It's wild to think about where we are now. When Lies of P launched back in 2023, the Souls-like market was already crowded. We had Elden Ring still dominating conversations, Lords of the Fallen trying to make a comeback, and countless indie attempts at capturing that FromSoftware magic.
But Lies of P did something different. It didn't just copy the formula—it understood what made these games work and then added its own twisted fairy tale spin. The weapon customization system alone was more innovative than entire games I'd played that year. 🎭
Now, heading into 2026, the genre feels more vibrant than ever. We've got:
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Black Myth: Wukong's success proving there's room for cultural diversity in the space
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Hollow Knight: Silksong finally on the horizon (we hope 🤞)
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Multiple AAA studios working on their own takes
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And now, Lies of P 2 positioning itself as the potential king
The competition is fierce, which means we're living in a golden age for challenging, thoughtful action RPGs. And I am absolutely here for it!
Why This Matters Beyond Just Another Sequel
Here's the thing that keeps me up at night: if Round8 Studio actually delivers on these promises, we're not just getting a great sequel. We're potentially witnessing the birth of a franchise that could stand alongside the industry's most respected names.
Think about it:
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FromSoftware took decades to build their reputation
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Team Cherry did it with essentially one game (Hollow Knight)
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Round8 Studio might be on the path to doing it in under five years
The ambition on display here is genuinely remarkable. They're not content with being "the good Pinocchio Souls-like." They want to be industry-defining. They want players in 2030 to look back and say, "Yeah, that's when everything changed."
The Community's Role in All This
One thing I've loved about the Lies of P community is how passionate and creative everyone is. The fan theories, the challenge runs, the lore deep-dives—it's been incredible to witness. And I genuinely believe our enthusiasm is part of why NEOWIZ is investing so heavily in this sequel.
We proved there's an audience hungry for this specific blend of:
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Challenging gameplay that respects our intelligence
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Narrative depth that goes beyond surface-level storytelling
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Visual artistry that creates truly memorable moments
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Mechanical innovation that isn't just gimmicks
Every time we share our experiences, create content, or simply talk about the game, we're essentially voting with our attention. And the developers are listening. 📢
Final Thoughts: Managing Expectations While Staying Hyped
Look, I'm trying really hard not to get too hyped because we all know how that can backfire. Remember Cyberpunk 2077? Yeah. But there's something different about how Round8 Studio is approaching this. They're not making wild promises about features they might not deliver. Instead, they're showing us through Overture that they can execute at an incredibly high level.
Choi Ji-won's confidence isn't coming from nowhere—it's backed by a track record of delivery. The original game exceeded expectations. Overture was basically a full sequel disguised as DLC. The pattern suggests they know exactly what they're doing.
So yes, I'm hyped. Ridiculously, probably-unhealthily hyped. But it's a cautiously optimistic hype, grounded in what they've already proven they can do. 💪
What I'm Watching For
As we move deeper into 2026, here's what I'll be obsessively checking for:
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Gaming conventions - Will they show up at Summer Game Fest? Gamescom?
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Social media teases - Those cryptic developer tweets drive me crazy
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Industry insider rumors - Sometimes the leaks are accurate
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Studio hiring posts - What positions are they filling? That tells a story
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Technology partnerships - Any Unreal Engine showcases featuring their work?
The moment we get our first real trailer, I'm calling in sick to work. I don't care. This is that important to me. 😂
The Bottom Line
Lies of P changed my perspective on what Souls-likes could be. It proved you don't need to be FromSoftware to create something genuinely special in this genre. The upcoming sequel represents something even bigger: the potential for a relatively new studio to establish itself as a major creative force in gaming.
Director Choi Ji-won's promise of "the highest level of entertainment ever" might sound like marketing hyperbole, but based on everything they've shown us so far, I'm choosing to believe. Call me naive, call me overly optimistic, but when a studio consistently over-delivers, they've earned the benefit of the doubt.
We're potentially looking at one of the defining games of this generation. A title that could set new standards for storytelling, combat design, and world-building in the action RPG space. And the fact that it's built on a twisted fairy tale foundation just makes it that much more special.
So yeah, I'm ready. My controller is charged, my schedule is clear (or will be once we get a release date), and my expectations are simultaneously sky-high and carefully managed. Bring on the nightmare puppet show. Bring on the philosophical questions about humanity and choice. Bring on the bosses that'll make me question my life decisions.
Most importantly: bring on the sequel that could cement Lies of P as one of gaming's essential franchises. Round8 Studio, NEOWIZ—the stage is set, the audience is waiting, and we're ready to see if you can actually deliver on these absolutely insane promises.
Let's see if 2026 truly becomes the year that changes everything. I'll be here, controllers in hand, ready to dive back into the darkness. Who's with me? 🎮🔥
