Highly-Anticipated Horror Game Makes Content Changes for PlayStation Release: What You Need to Know!

The developers of Lisa: Definitive Edition have disclosed that they were required to make changes for the game's release on the PlayStation. Although Serenity Forge and Dingaling Productions stated that these modifications do not alter the fundamental essence of Lisa, Serenity Forge founder Zhenghua Yang confirmed that the publisher was compelled to implement these alterations.

Lisa, a series of indie games that achieved a cult following, was created by Austin "Dingaling" Jorgensen. The journey began with Lisa: The First in 2012, followed by Lisa: The Painful RPG in 2014, and finally, Lisa: The Joyful in 2015. Set in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by an event known as The Flash, the Lisa games delve into topics such as mental health, emotional and physical abuse, and drug use. On July 18, 2023, a remastered edition of the second and third installments, titled Lisa: Definitive Edition, was made available on all major platforms.

Lisa: Definitive Edition introduces various changes to Dingaling's independently developed horror RPGs. Some modifications are artistic in nature, encompassing updates to gameplay mechanics, new quests, and additional dialogue. However, other alterations were necessary to ensure Lisa complied with content policies set by Sony and Nintendo. While certain scenes have been adjusted across all platforms, the PlayStation version underwent the most extensive censorship, as the publisher chose to remove numerous depictions of substance abuse. Serenity Forge regards these changes as insignificant, although founder Zhenghua Yang confirmed on Twitter that the publisher had no alternative.

Dingaling and Serenity Forge conveyed the situation in a post on the latter's website. The article clarifies, "Lisa includes sensitive content meant to jolt players out of their comfort zones, transport them to an absurd and inappropriate world, and prompt them to confront their emotions in these particular moments." Although Dingaling and Serenity Forge stand by this creative vision, certain concessions had to be made for Lisa: Definitive Edition to reach as wide an audience as possible. Serenity Forge affirms that the fundamental experience, message, and essence of Lisa remain intact.

The Lisa: Definitive Edition has made some changes to the Salvation Ranger introduction and Junior's flashback sequence, according to Serenity Forge. These alterations have been carefully made and are considered to be minor. Additionally, the PlayStation release includes warning notices at the beginning of the game.

In Lisa: The Joyful, cigarettes and alcohol have been replaced with "cigarette candy" and "soda," and the substance Joy is no longer referred to as a pill. However, characters still consume alcohol in the Definitive Edition version of Lisa: The Painful.

Serenity Forge and Dingaling Productions view these changes as insignificant and non-essential, aiming to ease the concerns of fans. Furthermore, the Steam release of Lisa: Definitive Edition includes the legacy versions of Lisa: The Painful RPG and Lisa: The Joyful as launch options.

Lisa: Definitive Edition is out now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

Source: Serenity Forge