This review will be specifically for the DLC. You can find my original review for the main game here:
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/id/chr1as/recommended/1627720/

After the magical experience I had that is Lies of P my expectations and anticipation for Overture is off the roofs. I was really surprised when the developers decided to shadow drop it. I was planning to go through the story once again right before the DLC launches, but because of the shadow drop I had to do it on the same day which meant I couldn’t get started right away. So that’s probably an irk I have. Besides that, I think the DLC solidified Lies of P as my favourite game maybe for the decade to come.

There isn’t much changes to the mechanics from the original game which I am very thankful for. The base game already have a solid foundation in terms of mechanic and to be able to use that same tool in a new environment was amazing! There is an introduction of a new status effect. I was terrified of it at first but it turned out to be fairly manageable. Overture is super hard like almost excessive for my taste kind of hard. And I’m not even talking about the bosses. The entire level’s mob is out there to kill you. But I think having the additional challenge is befitting of a DLC.

Every bosses in Overture is perfection. And the impeccable level designed continued to be implemented in Overture.

The game shifts from city-scape to a more mountainous / snowy setting which gives an entirely different vibe. While the base game can feel tense and dark most of the time, Overture is more sombre and emotional which fits the story it was trying to tell. Overture really feels like a side quest almost like a relief from the craziness going on in the main story. Despite all that, it doesn’t break immersion at all, because the theme grief and despair is consistent throughout the game. I have to say though, the white snow makes your character’s outfit pop even more and that’s amazing!

This is what I would say is the main highlight of Overture. It completes the game’s entire package. A lot of times as I played the main game (even after 2 complete playthroughs), there are plot points which remained unanswered. Of course, that would be the story of the Legendary Stalker. At first, I thought that Overture would focus entirely on her story which it did, but it also added a lot more context to the main storyline. At the very end of Overture I realised the DLC has been P’s story after all. Overture is weaved beautifully into the main story.

Overture’s story tugged my heartstrings in more ways than I could imagine. In the midst of all the absurd bosses, Overture is in essence the story of a person’s hope and journey to redemption. What’s poetic is the payoff and Carlo’s (the player) role in all this. Carlo is the cause of Lea’s journey of redemption. But he also becomes the key to her absolution. And through it all, Carlo discovered his humanity more (which is the entire theme of the base game).

I would suggest for the best experience for players to finish the main game first without accessing Overture. Then access Overture on your second play through. Not to say that you won’t understand Overture without finishing the game, but I think it will evoke different kind of emotions for the players. For completionist, don’t worry, you can grab all the achievements in Overture from a single run.

And of course, to collect more of those amazing records! The new addition to the collection does not disappoint. My favourite from the collection will be ‘SURVIVOR’ the Red Edition. Simply because there is so much emotional implication weaved into the song. Also let’s not forget about ‘The Clear Blue Sky’.

If you haven’t played Overture, it’s time to get to it. It’s going to make you tear up. Be it from the hard bosses or the touching ending to a beautifully written story. The passion and heart of Neowiz’s development team gets stronger through this DLC. Seems like Overture is really making Lies of P my undisputed favourite game. I love this game.