For the most part,Lies of Padheres to many of the principles of the ever-popular soulslike genre, including a punishing but fair challenge level that demands mastery of the game’s systems in order to succeed. When it comes to how players approachLies of P’s many difficult encounters, the game offers plenty of options in terms of weapons and builds so that various playstyles can survive the deadly streets of Krat, and the player’s initial path choice can help guide players toward a playstyle that suits their tastes.
In a Game Rant interview with various devs on theLies of Pteam, including director Jiwon Choi and associate producer H.Sun Choi, they broke down the various paths that players can choose at the start of the game and how these encourage several unique approaches to the game’s combat and equipment systems. A newcomer himself, producer Choi also gave some advice for new players as well as his own preferred path when beginning a new playthrough.
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Lies of P’s Three Combat Styles Have Distinct Playstyles
At the start of the game, players are given the choice between one ofLies of P’s three combat paths, each with a stat build and starting equipment that leans toward a different playstyle. The paths range from the nimble Path of the Bastard to the slow and heavy-hitting Path of the Sweeper, while the Path of the Cricket lands somewhere in the middle. Director Choi gave his thoughts on which style players may favor, and what their advantages and drawbacks are.
Path of the Bastard will allow players to wield a nimble and agile combat style. This path has more stamina than other paths, which makes players attack more and avoid the risk better. However, this path does not align well with heavy weapons that can do substantial damage in a single blow. Also, damage from their enemies would be more critical. We recommend this path to players who enjoy quick moves and flashy controls.
Path of the Sweeper is the exact opposite of the Path of Bastard. Players with stamina, which requires players to make decisions on their actions every split second in combat. This path excels with weapons that are heavy, slow, and have high attack and guard abilities. Furthermore, the larger capacity from this path grants players easier access to a variety of weapons and armor.
Path of the Cricket seeks the balance in between. Players treading this path experience a more stable position. Opt for the Path of Cricket if you’re uncertain which style suits you best. Beginning with this path can serve as a strategic approach, allowing you to identify your preferred style and then tailor your status upgrades accordingly. This style is particularly favorable for those seeking a unique combat identity of their own.
It’s worth noting that players are only very loosely constrained by their initial path choice, not unlikeDark Souls' starting classes. Very early in the game, players can cheaply purchase the starting equipment from the other paths to try out the other approaches, and the overall stat distributions from the starting path choices shouldn’t make or break a build if players decide to deviate from the approach that their starting path was tailored for.
Lies of P Dev Recommends Trying All Three Combat Styles First
As anewcomer to soulslikes, producer Choi found that the Path of the Bastard was a good fit. This playstyle is focused on agility and avoidance, with a generous pool of stamina so that players can dodge and strike more frequently. This can be an easier approach for beginners compared to the high-risk style of Path of the Sweeper, which uses a much slower greatsword and demands careful planning for each swing.
Every path holds its own allure, making it hard to pick among them. I personally find myself still a newcomer to the soulslike genre, and Path of the Bastard fits well for me.
We recommend not rushing, taking time, and trying all three paths in the early stage of the game. The moment when you discover weapons and styles that align seamlessly with you and overcome the challenging bosses with those weapons and styles, the game starts to get better and better.
The balanced Path of the Cricket is also a great choice for players who are undecided on which playstyle they prefer, and this could be a good move for those who aren’t familiar enough with soulslike gameplay to have established a preferred playstyle. Choi also recommends that players try out each path first before committing to one, andLies of P’s surprisingly content-rich demogives players the perfect opportunity to test these out before the game’s full release.
Lies of Plaunches on September 19 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
