Black Myth: Wukong Needs More Than its Titular Epic to Stand Out

Game Science has adapted Journey to the West to great effect, crafting some truly memorable enemy types that run the gamut from grotesque to beautiful. But it’s the boss battles that are the most eye-catching. During my three hours with the game, I came across at least 5 bosses (and some mini-bosses): some favored offense, others defense, but most rewarded a mix of both. Pattern recognition is essential for success, but a stamina meter ensures that players are not simply dodging forever. Similarly, attacks cost stamina, so it’s important to leave a little fuel in the tank to get clear after unleashing a devastating combo or charged att

While Black Myth: Wukong has been marketed as a Soulslike, and it certainly appears to have elements of Soulslike gameplay, it might not be as true to the genre as it should be to technically be classified as such. Unlike most genres, the Soulslike genre is a very particular one, as it is ultimately defined by its niche characteristics. As such, there are certain traditions a game must observe to be both technically classified and publicly recognized as a proper Soulslike, and although Black Myth: Wukong may observe some of those traditions, there is one key characteristic that may set it too far apart from the genre for it to find its home th

Of the many Soulslike games announced in recent years, few managed to capture gamers’ attention quite like developer Game Science’s Black Myth: Wukong did with its 2020 debut trailer. The lengthy gameplay trailer for Black Myth: Wukong gave gamers their first glimpse of the gorgeous action title based on the famous 16th-century Chinese novel, Journey to the West, and left many wanting more. To attract an audience who may be unfamiliar with the epic tale, though, Black Myth: Wukong will have to rely on more than just its legendary source mater

Black Myth: Wukong , an upcoming Soulslike based on the 16th-century Chinese novel Journey to the West , got a big trailer at The Game Awards. Not only did this new teaser show off titanic foes and dazzling fidelity, but it also demonstrated how Black Myth: Wukong ‘s mythological creatures will be unlike anything players have seen in the genre thus

Hardcore Soulslike fans are very protective of the genre, to the point that they refuse to label any game that might be too easy or accessible a Soulslike. Even Elden Ring , 2022’s Game of the Year , threw some fans of the genre for a loop, as many thought it was far too accessible to be considered a true Soulslike experience. That is because difficulty is one of the most defining characteristics of the Soulslike ge

After a prolonged period of relative silence, the hype for the upcoming Soulslike Black Myth: Wukong is set to intensify over the coming days. Since its initial unveiling three years ago, precious little has been shared from developer Game Science aside from a few trailers. But Black Myth: Wukong is confirmed to feature a ‘World Premiere’ at this Gamescom 2023, and fans should expect to learn even more about the upcoming action

Black Myth: Wukong was first seen nearly four years ago with a 13-minute pre-alpha gameplay video, and since then the game has maintained a steady course of popularity throughout development. Created by Chinese developer and publisher Game Science, Black Myth: Wukong is a narrative Soulsike RPG based loosely on a novel called Journey to the West , in which players take the role of a Monkey soldier inspired by Sun Wukong, or the Monkey King. As the «Destined One,» players will journey across vast landscapes inspired by Chinese mythology, wielding powerful weapons and magic as they battle click through the up coming document fierce enem

Bonus content from the pre-order and Special Editions for Black Myth: Wukong has been revealed. Gamers were given a first-hand look at what was on offer for Black Myth: Wukong ‘s bonus content during a trailer shown during the 2024 Summer Game F

With how immensely powerful Sun Wukong is — at least, with how powerful he is according to Journey to the West — it might be difficult for Black Myth: Wukong to be a traditional Soulslike. Based on what has been revealed so far, Wukong will be facing some massive foes, so it’s likely he could meet his match. However, considering what has been written about him, it might be a challenge to make him insignificant in any world. That’s actually a good thing, as it would be a shame to play as a legendary warrior such as Wukong and for his supernatural abilities to feel underwhelming against enemies. Instead, Black Myth: Wukong should lean as heavily into Wukong’s overpowered nature as possible, still providing a decent challenge, but simultaneously allowing players to feel more powerful than anything else in the wo

So, while there may not be builds in the traditional sense, players can approach Black Myth: Wukong in different ways based on their spell and Transformation choice. They can also take things a step further by spending skill points on different staff forms (switched using the d-pad) that have their own attack patterns. For the preview, we unlocked the Tower Form , which has a nifty move where Sun Wukong climbs to the top of his staff and stands out of harm’s way before doing a flashy flip and slam move. It seems likely that most players will unlock all of the skills by the game’s end, but those different staff forms seem to do enough to mix up combat and allow for unique approaches to varied enem