When Black Myth: Wukong first appeared on the internet, it practically blew up the gaming world. Trailers with bombastic graphics, a mystical atmosphere, and a monkey with a staff smashing everything in sight – that immediately caught the attention of every Soulsborne fan out there. Now that the game has finally been released, the big question is: does Black Myth: Wukong really deliver what it promised, or is it just another game that’s more show than substance? I dove into the world of Chinese mythology and in this review I’ll tell you how it really feels to play.
A Myth Comes to Life
First of all, the foundation of Black Myth: Wukong is the ancient Chinese legend “Journey to the West”. The main character, Sun Wukong – also known as the Monkey King – is one of the most iconic figures in Asian mythology. The developers at Game Science have gone all out to bring this world to life.
From the very first second, you can tell that there’s an incredible amount of love for detail here. The temples, the mist over ancient mountains, the sacred background sounds – the game just breathes atmosphere. You constantly feel like you’re walking through an ancient Chinese painting. And the best part: it (mostly) runs silky smooth, even with all the effects, particles, and the shimmering fur of the protagonist.
Gameplay – Between Souls and Kung Fu Movies
Now let’s talk about the most important thing: the gameplay. Black Myth: Wukong is not a simple action game – it’s clearly inspired by FromSoftware’s Souls series. Enemies are tough, attacks must be precisely timed, and if you’re careless, you’ll hit the ground faster than you can say “banana”.
But unlike Dark Souls or Elden Ring, the combat system here feels a lot more agile. Wukong is quick, can dodge, parry, and pull off combos with his staff that feel straight out of a classic kung fu movie. What’s especially cool is the ability to transform into different mythical creatures – like a powerful wolf or a huge monster. These forms bring fresh tactics to combat and keep things exciting.
However, the controls can sometimes feel a bit clunky. Especially when dodging quickly or switching transformations, you can easily lose track of what’s going on. And the camera – well, the camera isn’t always your friend. Particularly in tight boss arenas, it can turn chaotic just when you need a clear view the most.
Difficulty and Boss Fights
If you love Soulsborne games, you’ll feel right at home here – and you’ll be swearing just as much. The bosses are brutal. Every fight feels like a small work of art, both visually and mechanically. Some enemies are gigantic and take up half the screen, while others are lightning-fast and punish every mistake without mercy.
But that’s exactly what makes Black Myth: Wukong so satisfying. Every victory feels earned. Finally defeating a boss after hours of failure gives you that indescribable rush you only get from games like Sekiro or Bloodborne.
Sometimes, though, I wished the game handled checkpoints more generously. There are sections where, after dying, you have to run half a kilometer back – including dozens of small enemies you’ve already fought twenty times. That can definitely get frustrating.
Graphics – A Visual Feast
Graphically, Black Myth: Wukong is simply stunning. The game is currently one of the most beautiful action RPGs out there. Whether you’re fighting on a snowy mountain peak, wandering through a ruined monastery, or facing off against a fire-breathing demon – every detail is razor-sharp and dripping with atmosphere.
The animations are particularly impressive. Wukong’s movements are incredibly fluid and lifelike. His staff practically dances through the air as sparks fly and enemies fall in slow motion. The enemy designs also deserve praise: grotesque, intimidating, and often beautifully grotesque – exactly what you’d expect from a game steeped in mythology.
The sound design ties everything together perfectly. The music is mystical, dramatic, and skillfully shifts between calm, traditional tones and powerful orchestral pieces during boss fights. When thunder rumbles and the wind howls through the trees, the immersion is complete.
Story – Less Is Sometimes More
The story of Black Myth: Wukong essentially follows the well-known tale from Chinese mythology. Wukong embarks on a spiritual journey, fighting demons, gods, and his own inner doubts. However, not much is directly explained – a lot remains mystical, vague, or hidden behind cryptic dialogue.
That might be frustrating for some players, especially those expecting a clear narrative. But if you enjoy diving into lore and piecing together the story bit by bit, you’ll have a great time here. The world is full of hidden symbolism and details that you’ll only truly understand on your second or third playthrough.
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Technical Aspects – Light and Shadow
On a technical level, Black Myth: Wukong delivers impressively, but it’s not without flaws. On powerful PCs or next-gen consoles, the game runs mostly stable, but occasional stutters or visual glitches do appear.
Loading times aren’t always ideal either. They’re short enough not to completely break the flow, but in a game where you die a lot, you definitely notice them. Still, for a studio with little prior AAA experience, the technical execution is seriously impressive.
The Monkey King Rocks (Mostly)
Black Myth: Wukong is a massive statement from China. It proves that amazing action RPGs can come from outside Japan or the West. The game combines tight combat, stunning visuals, and a fascinating mythology into an experience you won’t forget anytime soon.
Of course, it’s not perfect. The camera can be annoying, the story is a bit too cryptic, and the difficulty might test newcomers’ patience. But all of that fades away when you’re in the middle of an epic boss fight, Wukong swings his staff, and the screen explodes in a shower of effects.
If you love Dark Souls, Sekiro, or Nioh, you’ll definitely enjoy Black Myth: Wukong – and if you’re looking for something fresh and visually spectacular beyond Western fantasy, this is the game for you.
My rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars
A great, challenging adventure that sets visual standards and gets most things right – even if it could still use a little polish here and there. The Monkey King has definitely made a lasting impression in my review.
