Black Myth: Wukong
- August 20, 2024
- Game Science
- 16h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on PS Store"Black Myth: Wukong" is an action RPG inspired by Chinese mythology and the classic novel "Journey to the West." As the powerful Monkey King, players will battle enemies using a variety of weapons and equipment, with a focus on fast-paced combat and exploration. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes additional in-game items such as a special staff, masks, armor, and music tracks.
Playstation 5
Reviews
- story6,376 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of "Black Myth: Wukong" is a reimagining of the classic Chinese tale "Journey to the West," focusing on the character of Sun Wukong and his quest to collect relics to revive himself. While the narrative is rich in cultural references and lore, many players find it challenging to follow without prior knowledge of the original story, leading to confusion about character motivations and plot points. Despite this, the game is praised for its stunning visuals, engaging combat, and unique storytelling techniques, including animated cutscenes that enhance the narrative experience.
“The story, the combat experience, diversity of boss/mob fights, the graphics, the music are all extremely well delivered.”
“Considering that the entire background and stories involved in this game is insanely huge, I have to say they have done extremely well in delivering the story.”
“The story is rich in mythology but is a little confusing with some parts left out like how the destined one gets from one area to another between chapters.”
“The story is completely incoherent, even reading all the journal entries I had almost no idea what was happening or who anyone was.”
“The story is difficult to keep track of if you're not familiar with the original journey to the west; I think the devs made the game presuming you're already familiar with the existing story/lore.”
“The story is shallow and lacks any emotional depth.”
- graphics5,721 mentions
- 69 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Black Myth: Wukong" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and intricate detail, showcasing the capabilities of Unreal Engine 5. Players have praised the game's breathtaking environments, character designs, and fluid animations, often describing the graphics as some of the best seen in modern gaming. However, some users have reported performance issues, including stuttering and crashes, particularly on lower-end systems, indicating that while the visuals are impressive, they can be demanding on hardware.
“The graphics are stunning, bringing the mythical world to life with incredible detail.”
“The visuals are absolutely stunning, with every frame looking like a meticulously crafted piece of art.”
“Black Myth: Wukong is a visually stunning masterpiece that truly showcases the next generation of gaming graphics and visuals.”
“The graphics sucked and the combat was repetitive.”
“The game crashed and stopped too often, sometimes in critical periods such as during boss fights. Setting graphics to lowest won't help; this annoying problem persists even after bulky patch updates.”
“The graphics are very grainy, which makes the visuals less enjoyable.”
- gameplay4,205 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Black Myth: Wukong" has received a mixed reception, with many praising its fluid combat mechanics, stunning visuals, and engaging boss fights that require players to master various strategies. However, some players have criticized the game for its repetitive gameplay loop, lack of a block or parry mechanic, and occasional frustrating boss designs that can feel unfair. Overall, while the game offers a unique blend of action RPG elements and Chinese mythology, it may not fully satisfy those seeking a deep or innovative gameplay experience.
“After completing all achievements, I can confidently say that except for the RNG drops, every single aspect of gameplay was engaging and forced you to focus on the game, be it beautiful graphical scenes or fluid combat.”
“The mechanics are flawless, and the fighting is entertaining.”
“The gameplay is smooth and engaging, with a perfect balance of challenging combat and intriguing puzzles.”
“Unfortunately, games have gameplay and that's where I feel this game falls flat on its face.”
“I feel like the game completely blew its entire progression load in the first third of the game, leaving the latter 60% to languish in menial stat buffs with no real gameplay alterations.”
“The gameplay is a match between God of War and Dark Souls; the game is relatively open (not in the same sense as Elden Ring but more likely like Dark Souls 3) and you play as a badass character that can do a lot of tricks.”
- optimization1,781 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The optimization of "Black Myth: Wukong" has received mixed feedback from players. While some report smooth performance on high-end systems, many others experience significant stuttering, frame drops, and audio desynchronization, particularly during cutscenes and boss fights. Overall, the game shows potential but requires further optimization to enhance the experience across a wider range of hardware configurations.
“The optimization is well-done.”
“Great graphics & well optimized.”
“The game is well-optimized, running smoothly even on mid-range systems.”
“Despite constant performance issues and audio desyncing during cutscenes, crashing during the final moments of the hardest bosses in the game, and the inability to load small isolated levels without experiencing dips to 11fps, Black Myth: Wukong is a charming and fun game with an interesting story and lore.”
“The optimization is a far cry and so much more better than the recent western slop that's been released so far.”
“The game is poorly optimized, and has really bad performance issues.”
- music1,302 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in "Black Myth: Wukong" has received widespread acclaim for its exceptional quality and cultural depth, blending traditional Chinese instruments with modern orchestral elements to create an immersive auditory experience. Many players highlighted the emotional impact of the soundtrack during key moments, particularly in boss fights and cutscenes, with some noting nostalgic connections to the original "Journey to the West" series. While some found the music occasionally forgettable or lacking in variety, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack significantly enhances the game's atmosphere and storytelling.
“The soundtrack, composed of traditional Chinese instruments mixed with modern orchestration, enhances the emotional and atmospheric depth of the game.”
“The atmospheric storytelling, combined with the hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, creates an immersive experience that pulls you into its mystical world.”
“The music hits at the right times, the combat feels smooth.”
“Music was forgettable for the most part and the story was barely cohesive (probably makes more sense if you've read Journey to the West, but if you haven't, it's just a bunch of meaningless interactions).”
“Getting the nimbus cloud to fly around was something I was very excited for, but it was made so boring by the lack of music and dynamics while using it.”
“My only complaint is this game doesn't have a banger boss soundtrack like FromSoftware games; sometimes it doesn't even play music during boss battles.”
- grinding354 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 24 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players noting that it can be excessively time-consuming and tedious, often requiring significant hours to farm materials or level up for challenging boss fights. While some players find the grinding enjoyable and rewarding, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, leading to frustration and a sense of monotony. Overall, the game demands a considerable investment of time for those aiming to fully complete it, making it less appealing for casual players.
“Finally, a game that you can actually enjoy! I always used to think maybe I am just grown up and can't enjoy games anymore, but after playing this, it felt like childhood where you really got into it and just wanted to play all day long grinding.”
“The gameplay is fun, with a lot of constant upgrades that will keep you engaged, but the progression is not grindy at all.”
“Spend time fighting all bosses (main and hidden) in each chapter, and you will be comfortably leveled for each encounter with no farming required.”
“The grinding needed to defeat most bosses is just no fun.”
“I spent over 10 hours farming 2 specific plants before finally getting my final achievement.”
“The drop rates for seeds, enemy curios, and soaks gathered from plants has got to be upped at least by a small percentage because this type of grinding is actual hell.”
- stability284 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 77 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing minor to significant bugs, glitches, and crashes. While some users report smooth performance and minimal issues, others face frequent freezes, lag, and game-breaking errors, particularly during boss fights and transitions between areas. Overall, the game appears to require further optimization and patching to address these stability concerns.
“The game runs extremely well and was surprisingly bug free at launch, which is a lot to say these days.”
“Smooth mechanics, no glitches, and plenty of fun from start to finish.”
“The game is beautiful, runs great (on a 4090 anyways), and the combat feels good.”
“Lags and freezes every five seconds and crashes consistently.”
“Overall this game doesn't even feel like it was tested for the most part, with some bosses being just pure aids spamming the same projectile moves for the whole fight, while there are also tons of bugs and glitches like falling through the map, or even getting on the game to have to replay some of the bosses you have already defeated, because it didn't save your progress.”
“I looked up to playing this game and even pre-purchased after I heard they told big companies to eat dirt, but after launch can't even play it, I have a 4070 ti super with i9 and 32 ram, yet after validating files, reinstalling, all other applications closed, plenty of resources and following some troubleshooting found on the internet and trying some of my own I just couldn't.”
- atmosphere281 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Black Myth: Wukong" is widely praised for its immersive and captivating design, blending stunning visuals, intricate environments, and a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the game's rich connection to Chinese mythology, with each area offering unique atmospheres that draw them into the world. However, some critiques mention issues like static environments and invisible barriers that can detract from the immersion, though the overall consensus is that the game's atmosphere is a standout feature.
“The atmosphere is immersive, with lush environments, intricate character designs, and a deep sense of mystery and fantasy.”
“The world is vast and beautifully designed, from lush forests to towering mountains and mystical temples, each environment bursting with detail and atmosphere.”
“The soundtrack perfectly complements the game's atmosphere, enhancing the epic feel of Wukong's adventure.”
“It tries to be as mysterious as Dark Souls, but it lacks atmosphere.”
“The world feels static, as if frozen in time, missing the dynamic atmosphere that could bring it to life.”
“My only complaint is the amount of invisible walls that are placed everywhere; it feels cheap and robs my sense of the big scale of the atmosphere.”
- character development219 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
Character development in "Black Myth: Wukong" is praised for its depth and engagement, with many reviewers highlighting the intricate character designs and the rich storytelling that enhances player investment. However, some players feel that character progression can feel limited, particularly regarding emotional depth and player agency in character builds. Overall, the game excels in visual artistry and lore, creating a captivating experience, though it may benefit from more nuanced character interactions.
“The character development and dialogue are top-notch, making every moment feel significant and impactful.”
“The game does an excellent job of balancing the epic scale of its story with moments of introspection and character development, ensuring that players are not just invested in the action, but in the journey itself.”
“The attention to detail in the lore and character development adds layers of richness to the story, making it a truly memorable experience.”
“In Wukong, however, character development feels stagnant, as if there’s a deliberate cap on how much control the player has over their build.”
“It is just not for me, there is no depth in the story, very little/no character development and it just feels a little empty.”
“The exploration is really low as there's not much exploration, and the character development is that of a children's storybook, which is not that good.”
- emotional173 mentions
- 97 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Black Myth: Wukong" is widely praised, with players highlighting its stunning visuals, heartfelt storytelling, and evocative soundtrack that enhance the overall experience. Many reviewers express deep emotional investment in the characters and narrative, often describing moments that moved them to tears, particularly during the beautifully animated chapter endings. However, some critiques mention occasional disjointedness in the plot, which can detract from the emotional impact for certain players.
“From the gameplay and visuals to the story and soundtrack, every aspect, including the heartwarming ending animation, is truly moving.”
“The journey is filled with emotional depth, making you feel every triumph and loss.”
“Wukong’s journey is not just one of physical prowess but of self-discovery and redemption, making it easy for players to become emotionally invested in his fate.”
“Boring story and a wack script; it's like a Hollywood Marvel kid wrote the lines.”
“After 1 hour of playing, I found the game to be extremely boring story-wise.”
“Boring story, bad and boring combat (also feels a bit clunky), but really nice graphics.”
- humor152 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in "Black Myth: Wukong" is a standout feature, with players frequently highlighting its comedic elements, such as funny character interactions and absurd situations that lighten the game's darker themes. Many reviews mention the amusing portrayal of the monkey king and the clever integration of humor into the narrative, making it accessible and enjoyable even for those unfamiliar with the source material. Overall, the game balances intense gameplay with light-hearted moments, contributing to a fun and engaging experience.
“The scenery is so immersive and you'll have plenty of company to add humor to the story's darkest moments.”
“The game expertly weaves the legend of the monkey king into an engaging narrative filled with twists, humor, and drama.”
“Just when you think the game is all serious, it throws in a funny scene or dialogue that catches you off guard, making the experience even more enjoyable.”
“The original was meant to mimic the movements of a real monkey to look funny, but it doesn't come across as funny at all.”
“This is the worst action RPG game I've played. The combat is ridiculous, and when I attack enemies, they always counter me. It's not funny.”
- monetization113 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 26 % negative mentions
The game has been widely praised for its lack of monetization practices, with reviewers highlighting the absence of microtransactions, battle passes, and paid DLC. Players appreciate the return to a complete gaming experience without the intrusive monetization tactics that have become common in the industry, making it a refreshing alternative to many modern titles. Overall, the game's straightforward pricing and focus on quality gameplay have resonated positively with gamers seeking a pure, enjoyable experience.
“No microtransactions, no paid DLC, no predatory monetization, no paid cosmetics—just you and this wonderful piece of art filled to the brim with incredible opponents and a story like no other.”
“This is how all games should be: no stupid launcher, no in-app purchases, no pandering, just a great game.”
“In an era where it feels like every game is padded with microtransactions, battle passes, or endless DLC, Wukong stands out as a breath of fresh air.”
“No microtransactions, no paid DLC, no predatory monetization, no paid cosmetics.”
“It's sad we cheer on games for just doing the bare minimum and not put out broken slop for $60 with microtransactions.”
- replayability94 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is generally viewed as strong, with many players appreciating the variety of combat styles, hidden bosses, and new game plus (NG+) features that encourage multiple playthroughs. However, some reviewers noted that once the game is fully explored or completed, it can feel less engaging on subsequent runs, particularly if the challenge diminishes. Overall, while there are mixed opinions, many agree that the game offers significant replay value due to its depth and content.
“The replay value is also just as refreshing with incentive to keep going.”
“Tons of spells, transformations, spirits, consumables, etc. This definitely lends itself to tons of replayability in New Game+ and beyond.”
“The fact that players are eager to dive into New Game+ speaks volumes about the game's replayability and overall quality.”
“Not sure about the replayability factor of it; however, there's a new game+ and I've gone for it, but on the second go I kind of got bored - the bosses posed no challenge whatsoever and in the middle of chapter 3 I kind of got bored of it.”
“I don't think it should be overly complicated, but it's too simple and kind of pushes you into wearing Wukong's 5-set piece in the end. For the sake of replayability, I think this is a bit of a massive loss.”
“It's just sad that some elements of it are locked behind new game+, which feels like a pretty lazy way to create replayability.”
