Black Myth: Wukong surprised me with its unique take on action-RPG gameplay. Despite its similarities to the souls-like genre, the game’s Chinese developer, Game Science, insists it isn’t one, defining it instead as a straightforward action-RPG. This distinction holds true, as Black Myth: Wukong is not a traditional souls-like. Instead, it feels more like an extended boss rush, frequently transitioning from one challenging boss fight to another. These elaborate battles are where the game truly shines, though the segments between them can sometimes feel aimless and tedious. Thankfully, the satisfying combat and diverse boss encounters help to mitigate these issues.
The game’s narrative is inspired by the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, originally published in the 16th century during the Ming dynasty. This epic saga has had a lasting impact, influencing works from Ninja Theory’s Enslaved: Odyssey to the West to Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball manga. Black Myth: Wukong is set after the original story while incorporating familiar characters such as Zhu Bajie, Kang Jinlong, and the Bull Demon King, although some character allegiances differ from the source material.
In Black Myth: Wukong, you step into the role of a mute monkey known as the Destined One, who bears a striking resemblance to the legendary Sun Wukong, better known as the Monkey King. This connection to such an iconic character from Journey to the West adds a layer of intrigue, as players are left wondering about your true identity: Are you a reincarnation of the Monkey King, or perhaps a clone setting out on your own journey? While the ultimate answer to this mystery isn’t particularly shocking, it culminates in a thrilling conclusion to the adventure.
However, I found the overall narrative to be somewhat lacking. While it’s evident that Game Science had the freedom to diverge from the original story, I often felt lost trying to grasp the intricacies of Black Myth: Wukong’s plot. The game is structured into six chapters, each focusing on a self-contained tale that explores universal themes like love, hate, and greed. Yet, for players unfamiliar with Journey to the West or Chinese mythology, many references and concepts may be confusing.
This makes it challenging to fully engage with both the overarching narrative and its more personal stories. It’s disappointing because the opportunity to experience a Chinese interpretation of such a classic tale is inherently captivating. Many people are familiar with the story through adaptations from other cultures, so seeing it handled with care and detail here is refreshing. There are standout moments, such as the encounters with a headless monk who serenades you with a Sanxian, and the character designs are exceptional throughout. However, without a solid grasp of the source material or the context of Chinese folklore, it can be tough to fully appreciate the richness of the story being told.
One of the standout features of Black Myth: Wukong is how it integrates Sun Wukong’s extraordinary abilities into its fast-paced combat system. Players control the Destined One, who is closely tied to the legendary Monkey King, and this connection is reflected in the diverse combat mechanics available.
At the heart of Wukong’s arsenal is the Ruyi Jingu Bang, a magical staff that can change size at will. Players will find themselves executing fluid combos with this staff, which can elongate to deliver devastating blows and then retract to strike with precision. This dynamic combat style is complemented by a range of magical spells that utilize mana and come with cooldowns. For instance, players can create clones of the Destined One, allowing them to distract and overwhelm enemies. Another notable spell is Immobilize, which freezes opponents in place for a brief period, granting players the chance to unleash a flurry of attacks or retreat and heal.
Shapeshifting is another critical aspect of gameplay. The Destined One can transform into certain defeated enemies, each offering unique movesets and abilities. Early on, players gain the Red Tides transformation after defeating the giant wolf Guangzhi. This form allows you to wield a flaming glaive, inflicting burn damage while executing impressive combos. Notably, each transformation comes with its own health bar, effectively acting as an extra life. Once this health bar is depleted or after you’ve used up your Might through attacks, you’ll revert to your original form, adding a strategic layer to combat.
These elements combine to create a combat experience that feels both engaging and versatile. The ability to seamlessly switch between different styles of play—whether through staff combat, magic, or shapeshifting—keeps the gameplay fresh and dynamic. This intricate system showcases the Monkey King’s prodigious combat capabilities and offers players a variety of tactical options as they navigate the game’s challenging boss encounters and explore the richly detailed world of Black Myth: Wukong.
In Black Myth: Wukong, the combat system is intricately designed, blending unique mechanics that keep players engaged, particularly through its combo system and focus on strategic timing. The combat revolves around building Focus points through light attacks, which can then be unleashed as heavy attacks. This creates a rewarding cycle where players must balance quick hits with the timing of more powerful moves. While light attacks may feel somewhat insubstantial, serving primarily to build Focus, the satisfaction comes from chaining these attacks into heavier finishers. Executing a full combo—especially one that transitions into a heavy attack—results in visually striking moments where your staff glows red-hot, delivering significant damage and staggering foes with a powerful impact.
Finding openings in enemy attacks is crucial, particularly using the Immobilize spell to create opportunities for your most effective combos. As players master the dance of dodging and executing their abilities, boss fights transform into exhilarating, fast-paced battles. This core gameplay loop is at the heart of what makes combat in Black Myth: Wukong feel alive and dynamic.
As an action RPG that often feels like a boss rush, the quality of the boss battles becomes pivotal, and Black Myth: Wukong largely excels in this area. Each chapter introduces a cast of formidable Yaoguai, mythological beasts that offer diverse challenges. From a giant black bear to a fierce dragon and a blood-spattered tiger, these encounters are visually and mechanically varied. The combat focuses on dodging rather than blocking or parrying, with the latter being limited to a magic spell with a cooldown. This design choice encourages players to develop their dodging skills, navigating the frenetic pace of battles.
While some may find the lack of traditional blocking and parrying options daunting, the overall challenge is balanced well. Many bosses can be defeated on the first attempt, even for those familiar with more challenging action RPGs. This accessibility does not undermine the game’s intensity, as tougher bosses still provide a significant challenge without adjustable difficulty settings. The game offers a forgiving ramp-up to its most demanding encounters, ensuring that players are engaged without feeling overwhelmed.
Overall, Black Myth: Wukong successfully merges its unique combat mechanics with thrilling boss battles, creating a fast-paced, strategic experience that both challenges and entertains players. The intricate design and the satisfaction of mastering its systems contribute to the game’s identity as a fresh take on the action RPG genre, rooted in the rich lore of Journey to the West.
The boss battles in Black Myth: Wukong are undoubtedly the highlight of the game, offering a visually stunning and mechanically engaging experience. The variety of settings—ranging from frozen lakes to blood-soaked pools—adds to the drama of these encounters, enhancing the feeling of immersion as you face off against the formidable Yaoguai. The fights have a choreographed elegance that combines martial arts influences with supernatural elements, creating a sense of tension and excitement. Players are encouraged to study attack patterns, time their dodges precisely, and exploit openings for counterattacks, which elevates the combat from simple button-mashing to a more nuanced dance of strategy and skill.
The strategic component of combat is particularly noteworthy; players must adapt their approach based on the unique traits of each boss. The Immobilize spell, for instance, may not always be effective, prompting players to think creatively about their abilities and transformations to exploit an enemy’s elemental weakness. This tactical depth contributes to the thrill of victory, especially when defeating tougher bosses elicits a rush of adrenaline and a profound sense of accomplishment.
While the game shares certain traits with souls-like titles—such as the checkpoint system that respawns enemies and the limited healing mechanics—its overall design diverges significantly from the genre. The linear structure of levels often feels straightforward and occasionally uninspired. While there are some branching paths that lead to optional bosses and crafting materials, the majority of the gameplay follows a singular route. This design choice can make the exploration feel less rewarding, particularly when combined with an abundance of invisible walls and a jump mechanic that lacks utility throughout most of the game. The result is that sections between the exhilarating boss battles can feel sparse and drawn out, detracting from the overall pacing and engagement.
A significant moment toward the end of the game highlights the design’s shortcomings. Players may encounter a puzzle or task that feels out of place compared to the rest of the game, requiring a very specific solution that lacks clarity. This moment can lead to frustration, as players may spend hours trying to figure out the correct approach, only to be left questioning whether they’ve encountered a bug or simply overlooked something obvious. This kind of design misstep can sap the momentum of the final chapter, undermining the otherwise thrilling experience built throughout the game.
In summary, while Black Myth: Wukong excels in delivering memorable boss battles infused with strategic depth and visual splendor, its linear level design and occasional frustrating moments can detract from the overall experience. Despite these shortcomings, the game’s ability to evoke strong emotions and provide exhilarating combat moments makes it a noteworthy entry in the action RPG genre.
Black Myth: Wukong undoubtedly excels in its visual presentation and combat mechanics, creating an engaging experience that captures the essence of its source material while offering players thrilling encounters. The environments, from the serene bamboo forests to the eerie, spider-infested estates illuminated by moonlight, are beautifully crafted, showcasing the game’s artistic direction and attention to detail. Each setting is distinct and vibrant, enhancing the overall immersion and making exploration feel rewarding, even if the level design itself can sometimes be linear and uninspired.
The game’s performance on PC has been commendable, particularly with its use of Unreal Engine 5. The preemptive shader compilation effectively mitigates stuttering issues, allowing for a smooth gameplay experience that showcases the stunning graphics without interruptions. This technical polish helps to elevate the overall impression of the game, making the beautiful environments even more enjoyable to traverse.
While the boss battles are the standout feature of Black Myth: Wukong, serving as exhilarating highlights that keep players engaged, the moments between these encounters can feel lacking. The scarcity of enemies and the straightforward level design contribute to a sense of stagnation, which may leave players yearning for the next thrilling clash with a Yaoguai. Despite these drawbacks, the choice to focus on boss fights rather than adhering to the traditional souls-like formula is commendable and offers a refreshing take on the action RPG genre.
In summary, Black Myth: Wukong strikes a balance between its cinematic boss battles and the less compelling elements of its design. The game is uneven, yet the highlights often outweigh the low points. Its ambitious approach, striking visuals, and fast-paced combat make it a noteworthy title, even if it falters in certain areas. Overall, it represents an exciting step forward for action RPGs, carving out a unique niche that sets it apart from the increasingly saturated souls-like landscape.