Publisher Serenity Forge has recently published a statement to address the changes they have made in LISA: Definitive Edition for PlayStation release. The cult favorite RPG has released today on two new consoles – Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5.
According to the content guidelines and regulations of these platforms, some parts of the game had to be altered; however, the publisher emphasizes that the ‘heart’ of this game will remain intact.
LISA: Definitive Edition is a remake of the LISA RPGs popular for their absurdist humor, sensitive content, and thought-provoking narrative. The game is designed in a unique way that forces players to deal with increasing difficulties warranted by a physical changing world and morally changing characters.
LISA: Definitive Edition will feature some narrative and some asset name changes
Two noteworthy changes made in LISA: Definitive Edition are the introduction of the Salvation Ranger, as well as the change in the flashback of Junior. The publisher mentions that they have made very small alterations in these two instances. They further emphasize that the decision to make these changes was a tough one. However, it was made with a curiosity to examine how a changed perspective can amuse and attract new players, welcoming in the game’s absurdly dark world. Notably, these two scenes in the original games were deemed ‘racist’.
Additionally, in order to comply with PlayStation’s release guidelines, some small changes have also been made to certain gameplay elements. This mostly entails to renaming various substances to soften their usage by players in the game. In PlayStation version of LISA: Definitive Edition, cigarettes will be renamed as ‘candy cigarettes’, joy will no longer be referred to as ‘pills’, and alcohol will be rebranded as ‘soda’ in the Joyful (the expansion for LISA: The Painful, included in the Definite Edition).
Publisher has ensured to keep ‘heart’ of LISA: Definitive Edition intact for PS release
This renaming, naturally, will not have any impact on the actual gameplay. Both the developer and publisher have maintained that their loyalty still remains to the wickedly humorous experience afforded by the original content of LISA. They claim that the decision to make changes in this iteration of LISA: Definitive Edition was driven by a desire to offer an enhanced experience with regard to the game’s main themes as well as the values it presents.
They further highlight that the dark nature of the game or the inappropriate decisions players have to make at times in the game are not meant to demean or attack players but offer an opportunity to reflect and question their characters’ motives. LISA is a game that urges players to find their own purpose in the vast deadlands, find and do what they love, and care for others, even in moments of extreme emotional turmoil. The publisher is sure that the changes made to comply with PlayStation’s release standards still iterate these messages and keeps the heart of the game intact.
LISA: Definitive Edition is out for PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and PC via Epic Games Store and Steam on July 18, 2023.
Source – Serenity Forge
