The weight of success can be just as challenging as the struggle to achieve it in the first place. For Nough Studio, the South Korean development team behind the critically acclaimed 2023 action RPG Lies of P, this reality has become their daily companion. Three years after releasing what many consider the finest Soulslike game not developed by genre pioneers FromSoftware, the team finds themselves grappling with heightened expectations as they work on the highly anticipated sequel. The pressure to match, let alone exceed, their previous accomplishment looms large over every creative decision they make.
Lies of P burst onto the gaming scene in September 2023, immediately capturing the attention of hardcore action RPG enthusiasts and casual players alike. The game reimagined Carlo Collodi’s classic tale of Pinocchio through a dark, Victorian-era lens, blending challenging combat mechanics with a hauntingly beautiful aesthetic. The title went on to collect numerous industry awards, cementing Nough Studio’s reputation as a serious contender in a genre long dominated by FromSoftware’s legendary franchises including Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring.
The Burden of Excellence
In a recent video released by Nough Studio, key members of the development team opened up about the psychological weight they carry as they develop the sequel. Narrative director Kwon Byungsoo reflected on how surreal their success still feels. “Back then, attending an awards ceremony or standing on that stage felt like something that happened to other people,” Byungsoo explained. “I used to think, ‘I wish I could stand there someday.’ Now I find myself thinking, ‘we have to do even better next time. How much better do we need to be?'” This introspective anxiety highlights the double-edged sword of critical acclaim in the gaming industry, where success raises the bar for everything that follows.
The development team has been refreshingly candid about their approach to handling these expectations. Art lead Cha Byungjun acknowledged the pressure while outlining the team’s strategy for managing it. “There’s definitely pressure, but for now we’re trying to set that aside and return to the mindset we had while making Lies of P,” Byungjun said. “We’re trying to hold onto it.” This philosophy of recapturing their original creative spirit suggests the team understands that overthinking can be just as detrimental to artistic endeavors as complacency.
Building From a New Foundation
Perhaps the most significant shift for Nough Studio lies in their starting position. When developing the original Lies of P, the team worked from what Byungsoo described as “a completely blank slate,” constantly questioning how far they could push their vision. Now, with an established foundation of success, the question has evolved. “Lies of P is our starting point. The question now is how much more we can build from here,” Byungsoo noted. This represents both an advantage and a challenge, as the team must balance innovation with the elements that made their debut so successful.
The Soulslike genre has become increasingly crowded since FromSoftware popularized the format with Demon’s Souls in 2009. Games in this category are characterized by their punishing difficulty, methodical combat systems, cryptic storytelling, and the risk-reward mechanic of recovering experience points after death. What set Lies of P apart was its masterful execution of these elements combined with a distinctive artistic vision and narrative framework. The game sold over one million copies within its first month and accumulated more than seven million players by early 2024, demonstrating substantial commercial appeal alongside critical praise.
A Unified Team Facing New Challenges
Director Choi Juwon emphasized the collective determination driving the sequel’s development. “When we were making Lies of P, there was a real sense of excitement and anticipation,” Juwon recalled. “But when I look at the team now working on our next project, everyone is seriously thinking about how we can do even better. They seem to be grappling with the same questions I am. So now, our drive to push ourselves further has only grown stronger.” This shared sense of purpose suggests the pressure, while intense, may ultimately serve as fuel for creative growth rather than a paralyzing force.
The gaming landscape has continued to evolve since Lies of P’s release, with titles like Black Myth Wukong, the upcoming Nioh 3, and the rebooted Lords of the Fallen all competing for the attention of Soulslike enthusiasts. Each of these games brings unique elements to the table, raising player expectations across the board. For Nough Studio, the challenge will be distinguishing their sequel in an increasingly sophisticated market while honoring what made the original special. As the team continues development, the gaming community watches with anticipation, hoping they can once again capture lightning in a bottle.
Expert Opinion: Nough Studio’s transparency about their creative struggles represents a mature approach to sequel development that bodes well for the final product. The team’s conscious effort to recapture their original creative mindset, rather than simply iterating on safe formulas, suggests they understand that meaningful innovation requires vulnerability. If they can successfully channel their pressure into motivation while maintaining their artistic identity, the Lies of P sequel could potentially elevate the Soulslike genre to new heights.
