Black Myth Wukong is an innovative reinterpretation of the iconic Chinese narrative, Journey to the West, developed by the Chinese studio GameScience. While the game aligns itself with the Soulslike genre, it distinguishes itself as one of the more accessible titles of its kind, making it approachable for those who may not be fans of games like Dark Souls or Elden Ring.
Players assume the role of the Destined One, a monkey wielding a powerful staff and gradually gaining the abilities of the legendary Monkey King. Initial gameplay introduces a variety of abilities—ranging from cloning yourself to unleashing cloud strikes and freezing foes—before stripping them away as you strive to reclaim your former strength.
Players begin with basic light and heavy attacks, complemented by agile dodges that consume stamina. Stamina management is crucial, as players can become sluggish if depleted. Focus points come into play, allowing the execution of powerful attacks when earned through successive light hits.
Progress is made through storyline elements or by defeating mini-bosses that unlock special moves and transformations. The game features a health meter replenished through consumables found in various shrines, a mechanic common to the Soulslike genre, with the caveat that using a shrine respawns nearby enemies.
Leveling up involves collecting will and sparks, the latter obtainable by accumulating enough will. Death results in a minor loss of will, which cannot be reclaimed from your point of death, contrasting with typical Soulslike mechanics while allowing sparks to remain secured.
Early encounters in Black Myth Wukong reveal a learning curve; players may find themselves repeatedly battling easier enemies to gauge damage and survivability. The first main area contains a handful of lower-level foes alongside a mini-boss and a major boss. Initial attempts against the mini-boss may yield defeat, but progress and experience gained through casual combat lead to a sense of growth.
Surprisingly, after defeating the mini-boss, players may find themselves easily dispatching the main boss on the first attempt, indicating a lack of difficulty curve common in similar games. Subsequent exploration of the linear environment leads players to face various bosses with relative ease, often resulting in forgotten encounters due to their repetitiveness.
Despite the visually stunning environments, they lack depth, with some areas restricting exploration. The game’s bosses tend to blur into one another, with only a few leaving lasting impressions. Comparisons to titles like God of War Ragnarok highlight the linear structure of Black Myth Wukong, which tends to focus more on storytelling than exploration.
While the mini-bosses echo the challenging Valkyries from God of War, they do not match the depth of rewarding experiences those encounters offer. Despite criticisms, the game shines as an enjoyable experience for those who shift their expectations concerning Soulslikes.
Black Myth Wukong is set for release on Windows PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store, along with PS5, on August 20. The game has shown promise on PC, with minor performance hiccups noted during gameplay, attributed to its transition from mobile development.