Black Myth: Wukong (2024) Review

• Developer/Publisher: Game Science ?️
• Platform: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S ??
• Release Date: August 20, 2024 ?
• Genre: Action RPG ?
• One-liner Elevator Pitch: An action-packed RPG rooted in Chinese mythology, where you battle as a legendary figure.?️

Overview ?️

Black Myth: Wukong brings to life the legendary Chinese novel Journey to the West, where you play as "The Destined One," a powerful monkey warrior on a mission to gather the six relics of Sun Wukong (the Monkey King). The game features expansive environments inspired by ancient Chinese mythology, offering an immersive world filled with both natural beauty and perilous challenges. The unique blend of folklore, high-octane combat, and an intriguing storyline makes it stand out.

Gameplay ?

The gameplay focuses on fast, strategic combat that rewards mastering a variety of spells, transformations, and weapon techniques, particularly staff-based combat. Players face off against mythological creatures, human adversaries, and powerful bosses in a world that is as dangerous as it is beautiful. You can combine spells and abilities to suit your style, offering flexibility in how you approach combat. The game also emphasizes exploration, with stunning, hidden locations packed with secrets.

Story ?

The story follows The Destined One as they attempt to revive Sun Wukong by collecting his scattered relics, which represent different senses like sight and hearing. Set after the events of Journey to the West, the narrative is steeped in Chinese myth and offers deep lore. As players progress, they uncover hidden truths and forge their own path, potentially becoming the next Wukong.

Graphics and Sound ??

The game boasts breathtaking visuals, from the lush forests to ruined temples, all brought to life with high-quality animation and design. The world feels vibrant, mixing the mystical with the gritty. Sound design plays an equally important role, with dynamic audio that shifts with the tone of battles, blending intense music and immersive environmental effects.

Performance ⚙️?

Early demos of the game have shown impressive performance, with smooth frame rates and minimal bugs. However, given the ambitious scope of the game and its high-end visuals, it is expected to be demanding on hardware. Next-gen consoles and high-performance PCs will provide the best experience.

Replayability ?

With its deep combat system, multiple abilities to master, and vast areas to explore, Black Myth: Wukong offers high replayability. Players will likely return to uncover more secrets, try new combat styles, and experience different outcomes. The evolving nature of enemy encounters keeps each playthrough fresh and challenging.

Comparison ?

This game is often compared to Souls-like titles such as Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Elden Ring for its tough, strategic combat and focus on mythological themes. However, the unique Chinese folklore and the role of the legendary Monkey King give it a distinct flavor that sets it apart in the action RPG genre.

Pros ?

• Stunning visuals steeped in Chinese mythology.
• Challenging and rewarding combat with deep RPG elements.
• Immersive story that weaves classic tales into modern gameplay.

Cons ?

• High difficulty may alienate more casual players.
• Potential high system requirements for optimal performance.

Conclusion ?

Black Myth: Wukong is shaping up to be a standout RPG in 2024, offering a perfect blend of challenging combat, rich storytelling, and stunning visuals. Its focus on Chinese mythology makes it a unique entry in the genre, and fans of Souls-like games will find a lot to love here. Rating: 9/10 ⭐

Tags: Action RPG, mythology, challenging combat, Souls-like, single-player adventure