Finally, after what feels like forever, Black Myth: Wukong is almost here! Mark your calendars gamers, because it’s launching on August 20th, 2024. The best part? It’ll be available on pretty much every major platform – PC via Steam and Epic, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. So whether you’re a console person or PC master race, you’ll get to experience this epic adventure when it drops in a few months.

The trailer of the game was released in 2020 alongside a 13-minute gameplay trailer displaying the game’s finished appearance while being in pre-alpha. However, more trailers fueled anticipation, with a 2021 trailer that featured a remarkable 12-minute Unreal Engine 5 gameplay check and a 2023 edition in December. This newest trailer also revealed the game’s release date and introduced English voice actors.

The Mythological Narrative

Black Myth: Wukong is a new game based on the classic Chinese story “Journey to the West.” It’s about the journey of Tang Sanzang and his disciples, including the Monkey King Sun Wukong. But the main character you play as is a mystery. Fans are guessing it could be a copy of Sun Wukong, or an evil version of him. Some even think it might be the Six-Eared Macaque villain from the original story.

No one knows for sure who the main character really is. The developers are keeping it a surprise. We’ll have to wait and see when the game comes out! This fresh perspective promises a narrative that expands upon the beloved Chinese folktale.

Soulslike Combat and Unique Abilities

This game takes some inspiration from those super tough Soulslike games. But the coolest part, despite it taking inspiration, is that you play as Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, who has his own incredible skillset, like:

Extending Staff: Combat and traversal are facilitated by the Ruyi Jingu Bang which can both reduce and extend.
Creation of Clone: Wukong can make clones to help fight.
Cloud Traversal: A magical cloud may serve as means of transportations. It allows players to float and navigate the world.
Shapeshifting: Wukong could take numerous forms including enemies and mythical creatures.
Time Freezing: This gives Wukong tactical benefits in combat by freezing adversaries.

Ambitious Content and Scope

According to leaks, the will boast an impressive array of content, featuring around 160 different enemy types and over 80 bosses. If these rumors hold true, the game’s scope and variety will be truly remarkable, potentially surpassing even the massive open-world of Elden Ring. 

But that’s not all! The leaks also suggest that the game will offer multiple endings, a New Game+ mode at launch, and a difficulty level slightly easier than traditional Soulsborne games. Talk about catering to a broad audience while still providing a challenging experience!

Controversy

Despite its critical acclaim, the game has been overshadowed by controversy surrounding the developers at Game Science. From rude jokes to remarks aimed at putting down female gamers, these kinds of things have caused a pretty big backlash. Eurogamer covered it back in 2022, and IGN too in 2023, really shining a light on the issue of sexism in the Chinese gaming world. It’s sparked a lot of debate and discussion around that problem. Notably, Game Science has yet to officially address the controversy.

Conclusion

Black Myth: Wukong is a visually amazing, action roleplaying game that masterfully blends gameplay and mythological storytelling. It’s a game poised for critical acclaim. While the controversy surrounding its developers has garnered attention, it remains to be seen how these issues will ultimately impact the game’s reception.