Black Myth: Wukong Made Me Cry in the Car - A Review

Game: Black Myth: Wukong

Developer: Game Science

Genre: Action RPG, Chinese Mythology

GNL Rates It: 8/10

Available Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series

No, not really but my goodness it is frustratingly hard. And here’s why I still fell in love with it.

Black Myth: Wukong is a beautiful game based on the classic Chinese novel, Journey to the West written by Wu Cheng'en in the 16th century during the Ming Dynasty. Indie developers Game Science Studio worked tirelessly to bring the legend of Sun Wukong, The Monkey King, to the rest of the world, with this soulslike game. In an industry where the standard mythological go-to lore backgrounds are Greek, Roman, and Norse mythologies, seeing a game like Black Myth: Wukong become an instant success is refreshing and well-deserved.

Black Myth: Wukong has one of the most beautiful worlds I’ve ever had the privilege to explore. The visuals are stunning and, if you’ve watched the original 1986 movie Journey to the West, you will see so many familiar scenes. I cannot wait to take a “Wukong” tour and visit the locations in Black Myth: Wukong that are actually in China. Bear Gaming Asia has a great video comparing real-life locations to game scenes in Wukong.

You Are the Destined One in Black Myth: Wukong

In Black Myth: Wukong, you play as The Destined One—the one destined to reawaken Sun Wukong, The Monkey King. The game’s opening scene begins with Sun Wukong confronting Erlang, Juling Shen, and The Four Heavenly Kings. Sun Wukong no longer wants to be a part of the Celestial Court. Erlang issues a challenge and Wukong accepts. A great battle between Wukong and Erlang ensues, but Wukong fails. Buddha (not Erlang as the game suggests) drops a mountain on Sun Wukong and imprisons him for 500 years until a monk arrives. This part may be a bit confusing for gamers who do not know the original story, but Buddha allows the release of Wukong in the monk’s care, provided Wukong travels with the monk West (to China) and keeps him safe, thus beginning their “journey to the West.”

As The Destined One, you have to find the remnants of Wukong to reawaken him within yourself. Through the battles with enemies on your travels, you unlock different abilities and fighting styles and awaken the spirit of Wukong within you.

That being said, Black Myth: Wukong’s gameplay was designed to be very challenging and does not give players the option to change difficulty. Across the globe, many in the gaming community are talking about just how difficult the game is. Personally, I’ve never been into playing soulslike games, though I enjoy watching others play them. However, Wukong is worth the effort because the story is just so good! But if you do not like a challenge, this game may not be for you. I will say this: defeating these godlike bosses is so very rewarding. There are few games, as of late, where I celebrated beating a boss. When I tell you I celebrated with a glass of wine and a nap after defeating Wandering Wight, I am not exaggerating.

Defeated the Wandering Wight

Playing Black Myth: Wukong

Though the enemies hit extremely hard, the combat style of the game is very simple. The Destined One starts off using a wooden staff, not the magical staff, Ruyi Jingu Bang, to perform light, heavy, and combo attacks. And as you progress, you unlock Wukong’s different trees of fighting styles and magical abilities. You start with Smash Stance and as you gain Sparks from your activities, you can unlock the other trees, Pillar Stance and Thrust Stance, and the abilities under each tree. Certain bosses also unlock spells, abilities, and transformations.

The bosses and mini-bosses hit extremely hard. Though combat is simple, you definitely need to be strategic in how you fight a boss. Sometimes, a boss fight requires dying a few times to learn which stance is best to fight them, which spells to use, how to time your spells and abilities and remember to dodge, duck, dip, dive, and dodge. For some bosses, I found it easier to go around them, explore other areas, fight other mobs, level up, then return.

Navigating the world of Black Myth: Wukong can be difficult for those of us who are directionally challenged and get lost in a circle because there is no map or mini-map. Even though there is incense that guides your path, the incense disappears, leaving you alone. If you venture too far off the path, though, there’s an incense tablet in your inventory that will take you back to the last shrine.

Black Myth: Wukong - First upgraded gear set

Cultural Significance of Black Myth: Wukong

As someone who loves a game with a great story, gorgeous visuals, and mesmerizing music, I have to play this game, even if I do not finish it because, for some reason, Wukong feels bigger than just another AAA game. Most video games with a historical context focus on Eurocentric ideologies and mythologies and may have a splash of cultural influences from Asia or Africa, often fusing several Asian or African cultures into one. Wukong is important because it shows that China can create culturally significant games that resonate with gamers globally. And we love to see it. We want more of this from China and the world.

Hopefully, the success of Black Myth: Wukong will inspire more global projects from China and bring some of their amazing current projects to a Western audience.