Black Myth: Wukong Review

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By Ky

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Black Myth: Wukong Review

Black Myth: Wukong has finally arrived, delivering on years of anticipation with its August 2024 release. After playing the games for many hours, here is our Black Myth: Wukong Review.

This action RPG, developed by Game Science, brings the legendary tale of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, to life with stunning visuals, intense combat, and a richly detailed world inspired by the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West.

Players navigate a mythological landscape filled with formidable foes and challenging boss fights, finding that the game not only honors its source material but also adds new layers of depth and complexity to the story.

The game showcases some of the most impressive graphics in modern RPGs. From lush forests to fiery mountains, the developers crafted each environment with meticulous attention to detail, immersing players in a world that feels both magical and grounded in ancient myth.

The combat system offers a mix of fast-paced action and strategic depth. Players customize Wukong’s abilities through an expansive skill tree and utilize various gear to suit their playstyle, making each encounter feel fresh and challenging.

Stunning graphics

Black Myth: Wukong is a remarkable achievement in video game graphics, pushing the boundaries of visual fidelity and artistic design. The game utilizes Unreal Engine 5 to deliver breathtaking visuals that set a new standard in the industry.

The environments are intricately detailed, from the dense, lush forests to the haunting, ancient ruins, each crafted with a level of care that immerses players in the mythological world.

The lighting and shadow effects are particularly noteworthy, creating a dynamic and realistic atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.

Sunlight filters through the trees, casting intricate shadows on the ground, while the flicker of torches in dark caverns brings a sense of depth and realism that few games achieve.

Screenshot from Heishenhua

Character models, especially that of Sun Wukong, are rendered with exquisite detail, showcasing the fur, armor, and expressions in a way that feels almost lifelike. The animations are smooth and fluid, making combat and movement responsive and visually and physically satisfying.

The use of Unreal Engine 5’s capabilities also shines in the game’s special effects. Spells, transformations, and environmental interactions are accompanied by stunning visual effects that elevate the sense of power and magic in the game.

This combination of cutting-edge technology and artistic vision has resulted in a game that is as much a visual masterpiece as an engaging RPG.

Image by Horace on X

Whatever the setting, Black Myth Wukong will surely make your eyes glaze over with the beauty of its environment.

Depending on your machine’s performance, you’ll be blown away, especially as the studio – ahead of launch and shortly after our “blocking” adventures – rolled out an update that rid the title of the frustrating bugs and technical hiccups that, among other things, delayed the release of this test.

As a player in all games, you will experience invisible walls that break the immersion a little and framerate drops in specific areas; we can watch each chapter section in awe of what this independent studio has achieved with Black Myth Wukong.

In terms of art direction, Game Science is clearly demonstrating that it has developed a formula that is proving its worth, and the development teams are well aware of this, particularly when the game invites us to meditate at times to immerse ourselves in the game’s atmosphere and the beauty of its scenery.

The Story and Lore

Black Myth: Wukong weaves a rich and intricate narrative deeply rooted in Chinese mythology, specifically the classic 16th-century novel Journey to the West.

But, the game takes creative liberties to craft a unique story that both honors and expands upon the original lore.

Screenshot from Heishenhua

The game’s protagonist, “The Destined One,” is a mighty monkey warrior connected to Sun Wukong, the legendary Monkey King. Unlike the traditional tale, where Sun Wukong achieves enlightenment and immortality, the game’s narrative explores what happens after these events.

Sun Wukong, having rejected the celestial life, is imprisoned by the heavenly armies led by Erlang Shen. Before being sealed away, Wukong divides his essence into six relics, scattering them across the land. These relics hold the key to Wukong’s revival.

The player, as The Destined One, embarks on a perilous journey to recover these relics. Throughout this adventure, The Destined One encounters numerous trials, battles mythological creatures, and faces formidable bosses, all while uncovering the truth about Wukong’s fate.

The game introduces a fascinating twist: The Destined One himself is revealed to be the sixth and final relic—Wukong’s mind—indicating that the journey was not just about restoring Wukong but about becoming his successor.

The story culminates in a dramatic confrontation where The Destined One must defeat the mindless stone body of Sun Wukong. Depending on the player’s actions, the game offers multiple endings, including the possibility of The Destined One inheriting Wukong’s legacy or remaining trapped, awaiting another who might complete the cycle.

This intricate tale, combined with the game’s rich visual storytelling and mythological depth, makes Black Myth: Wukong not just a visual masterpiece but a narrative one as well.​

The gameplay was created to disrespect you.

At its heart, Black Myth: Wukong revolves around exploration, combat, and progression. Interconnected trails guide you through objectives, from battling enemies to uncovering secrets.

Though somewhat linear, the exploration paths brim with lore and environmental storytelling, ensuring that every corner contributes to the narrative.

Combat System

Combat in Black Myth: Wukong is a dynamic and aggressive affair, moving away from the more methodical pace seen in typical Soulslike games.

Instead of relying on constant dodging or defensive maneuvers, the game emphasizes last-second dodges that create a ghost image to distract enemies, allowing you to strike from the side.

This mechanic, coupled with the ability to transform into defeated bosses and use their unique move sets, adds a fresh layer of strategic depth to each encounter.

Boss fights are a central focus, each presenting unique challenges that require careful observation and timing.

Image by Horace on X

Melee Combat

The primary weapon is the iconic Golden Cudgel (Ruyi Jingu Bang), which offers a range of combat styles.

Players can perform a variety of attacks, including swift strikes, heavy blows, and sweeping area attacks.

The staff’s ability to change size adds strategic depth, allowing for both close-quarters combat and long-range engagements.

Screenshot from Heishenhua

A robust combo system enables players to chain attacks seamlessly, rewarding timing and precision.

Aerial Combos and ground slams add diversity to fighting styles, enabling you to adapt to different enemy types and situations.

If you are skilled enough, timing-based parry mechanics allow you to deflect enemy attacks and create counterattack openings.

A responsive dodge system offers quick evasive maneuvers, essential for avoiding powerful enemy strikes and maintaining combat flow.

Magic Abilities and Spells

Players can harness various elemental abilities such as fire, ice, wind, and lightning to exploit enemy weaknesses.

Spells range from offensive blasts to defensive shields and environmental manipulations, enriching combat strategies.

Screenshot from Heishenhua

Magic abilities operate on cooldown systems, encouraging strategic use and proper timing during battles.

Combining spells with melee attacks creates devastating combos and allows for crowd control in fights against multiple foes.

Transformations and Shape-Shifting

Drawing from Sun Wukong’s legendary abilities, you can access up to 72 different transformations, each with unique skills and utilities.

Transformations include changing into various animals, mythical creatures, and even inanimate objects, enabling creative approaches to combat and exploration.

Some forms grant enhanced strength, speed, or special abilities tailored for specific combat scenarios.

Transforming into particular creatures allows players to bypass enemy defenses or exploit their vulnerabilities effectively.

Transformations also facilitate stealth mechanics, allowing players to sneak past enemies or set up ambushes.

Certain forms enable access to hidden areas and aid in solving environmental puzzles throughout the world.

Enemy Variety and Boss Fights

Screenshot from Heishenhua

The game features various enemies inspired by Chinese mythology, including demons, spirits, beasts, and deities.

Each enemy type has distinct attack patterns, strengths, and weaknesses, requiring players to adapt their strategies continually.

Boss fights are monumental events that test players’ mastery of the game’s mechanics.

Bosses possess multi-phase battles and unique abilities and often require exploiting specific tactics or transformations to defeat.

These encounters are cinematic and challenging, providing a sense of accomplishment upon victory.

Character Progression and Customization

Progress through the game by unlocking new abilities and gear, tailoring them to your preferred playstyle.

The skill tree offers extensive customization, enabling you to enhance your combat effectiveness in various ways.

Gear management is crucial, with different armor sets providing specific bonuses that improve your survivability and performance in battle.

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Experience and Leveling

Defeating enemies and completing quests grant XP, which contributes to leveling up the protagonist.

Leveling up increases base stats such as health, stamina, and magic power, enhancing overall capabilities.

Skill Trees

Players have access to comprehensive skill trees that allow for specialization in different combat aspects.

Branches may include melee proficiency, magic mastery, defensive skills, and transformation enhancements.

Progressing through skill trees unlocks new attacks, combos, and passive bonuses.

This system encourages players to tailor their playstyle, whether favoring aggressive offense, strategic defense, or a balanced approach.

Equipment and Gear

The Golden Cudgel and other obtainable weapons can be upgraded to increase damage output, speed, and special effects.

Upgrades require collecting specific materials and resources found throughout the world.

Various armor sets and accessories provide additional stat boosts and unique perks, such as increased magic resistance or enhanced stamina recovery.

Players can mix and match gear to optimize performance for different challenges.

The game offers cosmetic options allowing players to personalize the appearance of their character, enhancing immersion and connection to the protagonist.

Crafting and Resources

Exploring the world yields various materials, including herbs, minerals, and mystical items.

Collected resources can be used to craft potions, upgrade equipment, and create new items that assist in combat and exploration.

Crafting encourages exploration and adds depth to the gameplay loop.

Difficulty and Accessibility

Black Myth: Wukong challenges both experienced players and those new to the action RPG genre. The game does not feature adjustable difficulty settings, so the challenge level remains consistent.

Developers balanced the game so that, while demanding, it never felt unfair. Generous healing options and the strategic depth of combat allow you to overcome even the most formidable foes with perseverance and skill.

For those new to the genre, the learning curve may be steep, but the game’s intuitive mechanics make the experience rewarding rather than frustrating.

The fluidity of combat, combined with the visual spectacle of the game, ensures that each victory feels earned and satisfying.

Replayability

Black Myth: Wukong offers significant replay value, mainly through its multiple possible endings and the varied combat approaches you can take.

The ability to respec your character and experiment with different builds adds to the game’s longevity, encouraging you to explore different strategies and outcomes on subsequent playthroughs.

Immersive Chinese soundtrack

The sound design and music in Black Myth: Wukong is crucial in creating an immersive experience connecting players with its mythological world.

The game’s audio landscape is a masterful blend of traditional Chinese instruments and modern orchestral elements, effectively bridging Eastern and Western musical sensibilities.

The soundtrack prominently features instruments such as the guqin, erhu, and pipa, which are integral to Chinese musical tradition. These instruments lend an authentic and ancient atmosphere to the game, evoking the rich cultural heritage of the setting.

The use of these instruments is not just for background ambiance but is woven into the narrative, enhancing the emotional weight of critical moments in the game.

The traditional sounds are seamlessly integrated with a modern orchestral score, creating a dynamic and powerful audio experience. This fusion allows the game to maintain its cultural roots while appealing to a global audience.

The orchestration supports the game’s epic scale, with intense battle music that raises the stakes during combat and softer, melodic themes accompanying exploration and storytelling.

The sound effects are equally impressive, with detailed audio cues that enhance the realism of the game world. From the clang of Wukong’s staff, as it strikes an enemy, to the rustle of leaves in a mystical forest, every sound is meticulously crafted to draw you deeper into the game’s environment.

Black Myth: Wukong: is a masterclass in combining rich cultural heritage with cutting-edge game design. The story, deeply rooted in Chinese mythology, offers a fresh and engaging narrative that both honors and expands upon the classic tale of Journey to the West. Ky

10
von 10
2024-09-02T11:50:18+0000
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Ky

A passionate gamer stepping into the industry to bring back creativity and authenticity. Determined to make video games unforgettable again.

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