Going into Black Myth: Wukong, for the first time, felt incredibly daunting for me. It’s no secret that my love for gaming isn’t met with talent of any kind, and usually, games like Dark Souls or Elden Ring leave me with a bitter taste in my mouth and have me rethinking if I even actually enjoy gaming at all.
There was also a lot of pressure because I feel like before the game was even released, it already had a cult following of people who didn’t just like the game; they loved it. That weight, mixed with my own preconceived notions about what the game would be, was heavy.
And then the game started. And I was hooked. If you don’t read my entire review, then just read this:
Black Myth: Wukong is a game that will leave you utterly amazed at how absolutely beautiful it is. It’s also a game that will have you feeling unbelievably frustrated and then have you coming back for more.
However, despite that all-consuming frustration, Black Myth: Wukong managed to stand out as one of the most ambitious and impressive action games I’ve ever played. At its core, Black Myth: Wukong is a visual masterpiece with stunning environments and beautifully crafted characters that pull you into its world.
Although its beauty is gripping, that’s not all that Black Myth: Wukong has to offer. Instead, it’s a game with equally fantastic combat that offers a challenging yet satisfying experience that rewards skill and strategy.
But what sets Black Myth Wukong apart is its unique setting, deeply rooted in rich Chinese culture, making the game refreshingly different from anything else on the market.
The story is inspired by the classic novel Journey to the West by Wu Cheng’en. However, you’re not missing out on anything if you’re unfamiliar with the tale. For those who know the story, the game is packed with references and characters from the novel, but that’s not to say that it requires you to pick up on all these.
However, if you’re anything like me, you’ll probably want to look up the significance of certain characters and events, which made the whole experience feel that much more immersive.
You’ll play as The Destined One, the titular monkey who embarks on a roughly 40-hour journey to collect the six relics of Wukong. The game is also split into six chapters, each ending with a stunningly animated cinematic telling the story of that chapter’s main antagonist.
These little cinematics are all done in various art styles, each more beautiful and poignant than the last. In fact, I was so taken with these cutscenes that I’d definitely recommend you head over to YouTube if you don’t plan on playing or finishing the game – because they’re just that good.
When I first went into the game, I mistakingly thought it was going to be just another brutally difficult Souls-like game. However, after a couple of minutes of playing and my first few deaths, it became apparent that Black Myth: Wukong takes the Souls-like formula of making you hate life, yourself, and everything else and mixes that with something slightly more forgiving—action games.
One of the core things that Black Myth: Wukong dropped was the soulslike staple of punishing players for dying, and instead, the gameplay is aimed at keeping players in the action rather than bogging them down with penalties and perpetual backtracking for sucking – although it can still get super repetitive when you find yourself struggling to progress.
However, don’t misunderstand me. Just because Black Myth: Wukong has embraced some more forgiving elements does not equate to it being an easy game because it is far, far from it. In fact, I’d go as far as to say Black Myth: Wukong is one of the most challenging games I’ve ever played.
Black Myth: Wukong is also not a game that holds your hand. Instead of guidance, players are left to figure out many of the game’s intricacies for themselves. Thankfully, the frustratingly challenging gameplay was made slightly more manageable by the fact that the game goes to great lengths not to feel unfair, and the satisfaction of overcoming those tough boss fights is always exhilarating.
Where Black Myth: Wukong feels like a soul-like is in the way it approaches combat. Players will need to learn attack patterns, find the right moments to strike, tweak their loadout to make the most of their abilities, and hopefully, win.
Everything in combat is an elegant battle between quick reflexes and careful resource management. The game gives you plenty of tools to play around with, from Focus Meter attacks to versatile spells and even transformations that let you morph into powerful creatures.
Boss battles are also where Wukong truly shines, but there are also plenty of rewards for exploring off the beaten path, whether it’s finding rare crafting materials, new Spirit Skills, or secret boss fights.
To wrap things up, it bears repeating that Black Myth: Wukong is one of the most gorgeous games I’ve ever played. Every environment is brimming with detail, and the animation is top-notch.
And in the end, while Black Myth: Wukong may have its frustrations, but it’s also an incredibly rewarding experience that’s well worth the Journey.
