Black Myth: Wukong, as noted in our review, is a game that combines the awe-inspiring with the perplexing. It falls within the action RPG soulslike category, featuring familiar elements like experience points, skill trees, and checkpoint mechanics that save your progress but also cause enemies to respawn. However, it also presents these elements in a fresh and unique way.
For newcomers, our beginner’s guide offers insights based on our first 15 hours of gameplay as you embark on your journey as the Destined One. We share tips on level layouts, the intricate crafting system, fast travel mechanics, and your gear.
The gameplay in Black Myth: Wukong follows a linear progression. You will travel from one shrine checkpoint to another, fending off enemies known as yaoguais (demons) along the way. The focus is more on advancing through challenging boss battles rather than grinding through lower-level enemies. Progression is straightforward: instead of unlocking equipment through grinding, you will gain crafting recipes after reaching specific shrines and earn spells by defeating certain bosses.
It’s essential not to rush from one shrine to the next, as there are branching paths between these points that can lead to treasure chests and optional bosses, providing substantial XP and rare upgrade materials. Even if you don’t find a boss, collecting ingredients on your journey can prove beneficial later.
At the start of the game, you will encounter various items like plants and mushrooms labeled as potential medicinal ingredients; however, the ability to craft medicine is not available until Chapter 2, several hours into the game.
In the early stages, you will face enemies such as the Wandering Wight, which can be nearly impossible to defeat initially. The solution is to bypass the enemy and continue on your path, illustrating that you can return to tougher foes when you’ve gained more power and skills.
Fast travel allows you to move between shrines you’ve previously visited, but the absence of a map may make this process feel a bit clunky at first. You will see a list of shrine names with their corresponding regions, which should guide your travels.
As you defeat bosses and progress through Black Myth: Wukong, new crafting options for armor and weapons become available. While you will primarily use a staff as your weapon, the various armors you acquire can have unique effects that enhance your gameplay. Some pieces provide bonuses such as increased damage or speed, and certain effects require you to equip multiple pieces from a set.
Despite its linear structure, Black Myth: Wukong is filled with hidden secrets waiting to be uncovered, including Vessels that provide helpful perks. For a comprehensive approach to finding early-game secrets, consider our guides that detail the locations of hidden bells, assisting the Yellow-Robed Squire, and locating and delivering Buddha’s Eyes.