Black Myth: Wukong [Review]
When it comes to Black Myth: Wukong, you're either one of the eager fans who's been waiting with bated breath for over four years, or you're one of the many who were blindsided by its sudden release and the record-breaking frenzy that followed. This game, developed by the relatively unknown studio Game Science, has become nothing short of a phenomenon, quickly setting new standards in the industry. With over 2.3 million concurrent players on Steam and an astonishing 10 million copies sold in just three days, Black Myth: Wukong is not only a critical success but a commercial juggernaut, even outpacing the likes of Elden Ring. The title's popularity has reached such heights in China that the PS5 has reportedly sold out across the country. But what exactly is it about this game that has captivated so many? Is it really worth the hype?
A New Take on a Timeless Tale
At its core, Black Myth: Wukong is an ambitious adaptation of the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. You step into the shoes (or rather, fur) of the "Destined One," a character on a quest to recover the six lost senses of Sun Wukong, the legendary Monkey King who dared to challenge the Heavens. The game’s narrative is rich with lore and myth, weaving a tale that’s as much about self-discovery as it is about epic battles and divine retribution. Along your journey, you’ll encounter martial artists from various animal tribes, each with their own unique fighting styles, all while honing your abilities to eventually rival even the celestial powers.
Combat: A Dance of Martial Prowess and Magic
The combat in Black Myth: Wukong is where the game truly shines. As the Destined One, you are a martial artist of extraordinary skill, wielding a magical staff and a growing arsenal of powers. The core of your combat experience revolves around a balanced use of light and heavy attacks. The light attacks build focus points, which are then channeled into devastating heavy attacks. While this sounds straightforward, the combat system is nuanced and encourages strategic thinking.
However, Black Myth: Wukong sets itself apart from its Souls-like predecessors in a significant way: there is no parry or block mechanic. This omission is a bold choice, forcing players to adopt a more fluid and aggressive combat style. At first, the lack of a parry can feel disorienting, especially for veterans of the genre, but it quickly becomes apparent that this decision was made to encourage a different rhythm in battle. The light attacks, while serviceable, can sometimes feel a bit underwhelming in terms of impact, with enemies occasionally shrugging off your strikes as mere annoyances. But the heavy attacks, when properly timed, deliver the kind of satisfying crunch that makes you feel like a true warrior.
Adding to the depth of combat are the game's spells and transformations. The variety of spells available is staggering, from freezing enemies in place to summoning shadowy clones to distract your foes. The game introduces these spells gradually, allowing you to experiment with different combinations and strategies. The transformations are another highlight, giving you the ability to assume the forms of defeated enemies, each with their own unique abilities. While I haven’t counted all 72 transformations as described in the classic story, each new form offers a fresh approach to combat, often with elemental enhancements like fire or lightning. These transformations aren't just cosmetic changes—they're integral to the gameplay, with some even triggering hidden dialogue during boss encounters, adding a layer of discovery that’s both rewarding and delightful.
And if martial arts, spells, and transformations weren’t enough, the game introduces Spirits—special moves with persistent benefits that can be upgraded with Sparks as well. These Spirits can significantly alter your playstyle, offering both offensive and defensive advantages. For example, an early encounter with an Abandoned Wight granted me a powerful headbutt attack and a substantial defensive boost, which became crucial in later battles.
A World Brimming with Mythical Beasts
The enemy variety in Black Myth: Wukong is exceptional. From skeletal snakes to cunning foxes and ferocious wolves, the game keeps you on your toes with its diverse cast of foes. Each enemy type comes with its own set of moves and personality traits, making each encounter feel fresh and challenging. This variety extends to the game’s bosses as well, each of whom presents a unique challenge that will test your mastery of the combat system.
One of the most addictive aspects of Black Myth: Wukong is its gameplay loop. Unlike Souls-like games, where death often comes with a heavy penalty, Black Myth: Wukong is far more forgiving. You retain all your experience, money, and items upon death, making it easier to recover from setbacks and encouraging players to keep pushing forward. This design choice, coupled with the game’s relatively short runbacks to bosses, keeps the momentum high and the frustration low. It’s a brilliant balance that keeps you engaged and eager to explore every corner of its world.
Crafting and Customization: Forging Your Destiny
As you progress through the game, your arsenal of weapons and armor will evolve alongside you. Black Myth: Wukong features a robust crafting system that allows you to unlock and enhance gear with specific bonuses. Many armor sets come with set bonuses that enhance your abilities, such as increased movement speed or amplified spell effects. This system encourages experimentation, allowing you to tailor your build to suit your preferred playstyle.
The game’s item system is fairly straightforward, with shops at every Shrine offering basic crafting reagents, antidotes, and other useful items. Healing is primarily handled by your gourd (the game’s equivalent of a flask), so there’s little need to purchase healing items. If your experience is anything like mine, most of your in-game currency will likely go toward enhancing your Spirits and crafting new gear, rather than stocking up on consumables.
Exploration: A Journey Through Stunning Landscapes
The world of Black Myth: Wukong is divided into large, interconnected zones, each teeming with secrets and hidden paths. While the game doesn’t offer the massive open-world experience of something like Shadow of the Erdtree, it still provides plenty of opportunities for exploration. Branching paths often lead to hidden treasures, NPCs, or serene meditation points where you can take in the stunning scenery and earn additional Sparks. However, these detours are usually short-lived, and the game’s world, while beautiful, can feel somewhat constrained compared to other open-world titles.
One of the few frustrating aspects of exploration is the presence of invisible walls. Sometimes, the only thing preventing you from exploring a new area is a small pile of rocks that your character inexplicably can’t climb over. It’s a minor gripe, but it does break the immersion in an otherwise seamless world.
That said, the game’s visual and auditory design is nothing short of breathtaking. From the rustling of leaves to the distant calls of wildlife, every detail is meticulously crafted to immerse you in the world of Black Myth: Wukong. Each region is distinct, with its own unique aesthetic that makes exploration a visual treat.
A Story That Resonates Across Time
While you don’t need to be a scholar of Journey to the West to enjoy Black Myth: Wukong, having some familiarity with the source material can deepen your appreciation for the game’s story. The game weaves elements of the classic tale into its narrative, with key characters and references appearing throughout your journey. The story itself, while epic in scale, follows a familiar arc—a rebellious hero defies the odds in a challenge to the gods themselves. It’s a timeless tale, and Black Myth: Wukong tells it with style.
The voice acting, however, is a bit hit or miss. The English dub can feel stilted at times, so I quickly switched to the original Chinese voiceover, which adds a layer of authenticity and elevates the game’s already impressive cinematic sequences.
Final Verdict: A Legendary Experience
Black Myth: Wukong is a triumph of game design, offering a rich and rewarding experience that’s sure to captivate players. Its fast-paced combat, diverse enemy roster, and deep customization options make for an addictive gameplay loop that’s hard to put down. Coupled with its stunning visuals, captivating story, and meticulous attention to detail, it’s a game that fully deserves the hype and the record-breaking success it’s achieved. While it’s only available digitally for now, a physical release is slated for September—if you can wait that long. In the meantime, Black Myth: Wukong stands as a shining example of what video games can achieve when passion and creativity come together to bring a mythical world to life.
