Black Myth: Wukong is shaping up to be one of the biggest releases of 2024. In fact, it’s literally the most wish-listed game on Steam ahead of its launch on August 20.
And we’ve got good news– it lives up to the hype.
Here are 5 ways Black Myth: Wukong hits that sweet spot of action-RPG goodness.
The Monkey, The Myth, The Legend
Release Date: August 20, 2024
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S (soon!)
Black Myth: Wukong is Chinese mythology meets Dark Souls… or maybe meets Sekiro… and a little bit of God of War too. With its intricate combat system, stunning environments, and a story steeped in cultural heritage, it should scratch that itch for both action RPG enthusiasts and fans of a punishingly good time.
Black Myth: Wukong is an eagerly awaited action RPG that reimagines the 16th-century Chinese novel “Journey to the West” with breathtaking visuals and exhilarating gameplay. Players will take on the role of Wukong; wielding his powerful staff and mastering his shape-shifting abilities to battle a myriad of Buddist-folklore-inspired foes. With its intricate combat system, stunning environments, and a story steeped in cultural heritage, Black Myth: Wukong should scratch that itch for both action RPG enthusiasts and fans of a punishingly good time.
Black Myth: Wukong Is “one of the most gorgeous games I’ve ever played.” -IGN
One of the first things that caught the gaming community’s attention about Black Myth: Wukong is its breathtaking visuals. Powered by Unreal Engine 5, the game delivers an unprecedented level of detail in everything from the lush environments to the fluid, lifelike animations of the characters. The game’s art direction draws heavily from Chinese mythology and culture, creating a world that feels both fantastical and grounded in tradition. Each animation, landscape, and boss fight is meticulously crafted, making it not just a game but a visual spectacle that brings ancient legends to life in ways never before seen.
Confront Mighty Foes, Old and New
Black Myth: Wukong isn’t just about looking good—it plays just as impressively. And to call it a Soulsborne clone is a drastic oversimplification. Wukong game introduces a combat system that blends fast-paced action with strategic depth; with a complexity and nuance all its own.
Players will take control of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, who possesses a wide array of abilities, from transforming into different creatures to wielding the iconic Ruyi Jingu Bang staff with devastating precision. You need to utilize a delicate balance of twitch reflex skill and careful resource management to be successful against the myriad of mobs and vicious bosses. And while IGN notes (in its stellar review) that Wukong is “more forgiving” than games like Elden Ring… “that doesn’t mean it’s any less difficult.”
Explore a Land of Vast Wonders
At the heart of Black Myth: Wukong is its narrative, which draws deeply from the rich tapestry of Chinese mythology. The game reinterprets the story of Journey to the West, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature, but with a darker and more mature tone. Players will encounter various mythical beings, gods, and monsters, each with their own backstory and significance in the lore. This connection to cultural heritage gives Black Myth: Wukong a unique identity, making it stand out in a sea of Western RPGs and offering players a fresh perspective on storytelling.
Black Myth Is Just the Beginning
Black Myth: Wukong is soon to become a global phenomenon, introducing players everywhere to the rich lore of Chinese mythology– and “Wukong” is only the beginning. In an interview with IGN China, Game Science producer Feng Ji shared some juicy hints with the reporter regarding the ambitious future for his team:
The title Black Myth suggests a bigger myth universe. In Chinese myths, Journey to the West is just one of the many great stories. Feng and his team are hoping Black Myth: Wukong is just a beginning to build up a Chinese Black Myth Universe, similar to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He even told me the names of the two other Black Myths – although I am not allowed to tell you what they are, I can say it is a really ambitious plan.
but wait… Is Black Myth: Wukong on Xbox?
Black Myth: Wukong is eventually coming to Xbox X|S. Unfortunately, we don’t know exactly when… although we do know that it won’t be at launch.
According to developer Game Science, the team is still “optimizing” the Xbox version to meet “quality standards.” And they will announce the release date as soon as it meets “quality standards”.
Was this delay due to Xbox Series S hardware limitations (like what happened with Baldurs Gate 3)? Or was there some sort of exclusivity deal between Game Science and PlayStation behind the scenes? We may never know the answer to that question, but here’s Microsoft’s official response on the issue:
We can’t comment on the deals made by our partners with other platform holders, but we remain focused on making Xbox the best platform for gamers, and great games are at the center of that.
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