MONKEY KING: HERO IS BACK

About

MONKEY KING: HERO IS BACK is a single player role playing game. It was developed by D4 Enterprise Co., Ltd. and was released on October 16, 2019. It received neutral reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

The curtain rises on yet another never-before-seen Chinese myth: a new saga in the Journey to the West! Based on the original CG movie that became an unprecedented box office smash in China, this unique episode will be playable in exciting kung-fu action adventure game!

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Single-Player

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82%

Audience ScoreBased on 105 reviews

story14 positive mentions

music3 negative mentions

The game features a colorful and vibrant world with fluid combat, making it enjoyable for players of all ages.
It offers a fun and engaging story that resonates well with fans of the Monkey King legend, incorporating elements of traditional Chinese culture.
The developers have shown responsiveness to player feedback, improving the game with patches that enhance performance and fix bugs.

The game lacks a New Game Plus mode and has limited enemy variety, leading to repetitive gameplay.
Technical issues such as frequent crashes, a 30 fps cap on PC, and bugs that can disrupt gameplay significantly detract from the experience.
Many players feel the game is too short, with a playtime of around 10 hours, which does not justify its price.

story
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
39%
11%
The story of the game is a captivating adaptation of the classic "Journey to the West," featuring the Monkey King and a monk, Jiangliu, whose fates intertwine. While some players find the narrative engaging and well-executed with excellent animation, others note its brevity and occasional pacing issues. Overall, the story is praised for its cultural depth and character development, making it a compelling experience despite some minor criticisms.
- “The story, the characters, the setting, all work in unison together to paint a world for you to wonder about as you learn more and more about the Monkey King universe.”
- “On another level, the game tells a story of how it’s possible to change, even though you might think that’s impossible or it’s too hard, and that with good deeds and persistence, you can achieve your dream.”
- “Great storytelling from a Chinese studio.”
- “The story overall is short but slow; I can finish it in around 10 hours given that I don't go hunting for all the collectibles.”
- “It is an interesting adaptation of the Journey to the West story, which was arguably better executed by the movie.”
- “He had absolutely no function in the story at all, not even as a sidekick.”
gameplay
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
54%
23%
The gameplay is generally praised for being fun, smooth, and engaging, with a satisfying battle system and visually appealing environments. However, it has been criticized for its short duration, repetitive use of mechanics, and a feeling reminiscent of older games, which may disappoint some players. Overall, while the game offers enjoyable moments, it could benefit from more varied and consistent gameplay elements.
- “The gameplay of the game is really fun, smooth, and fast. When I bought it, I was considering a refund due to so many reviews, but after 30 minutes in the game, it caught me, and I couldn't stop playing it.”
- “The truth is that this game is entertaining, and while it lacks some areas for improvement, the gameplay is very good. I liked the battle system, and the fights with the final bosses are challenging, which is great. The whole environment is beautiful, and from my point of view, the general system of the game is excellent.”
- “The gameplay can be a mash of button presses, typical of the hack and slash genre, but it has oddly satisfying elements like purging and countering attacks. The animations and effects are flashy, making you feel good about defeating enemies. The music is average overall, but there are two standout pieces during boss fights. Additionally, the NPCs are not very annoying, as they stay out of the way during combat.”
- “A total of less than 10 hours of gameplay for a single-player game that costs you $40?”
- “Now the problem is... they only use one mechanic in every level. This makes the game feel like each level is a new challenge, but they don't use it as often, and we never see the mechanics again.”
- “The gameplay is really like playing an old PlayStation One game, with some fights, 3D cutscenes, storyboard cutscenes, and sometimes it is only about walking and talking, and it has loading screens to go in and out of buildings.”
humor
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its hilarious cartoonish style and amusing elements like the attack combs, making it particularly appealing for those with a good sense of humor. While the voice acting, featuring predominantly British accents, may come off as odd to some, it adds to the overall comedic charm of the experience.
- “Hilarious cartoonish style is a big plus; I will recommend it to my kid.”
- “I really love the attack combos; they are sick and funny as well.”
- “The voice acting is a little weird, but funny, as everyone seems to have British accents.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The music in the game is generally appreciated, with standout tracks during boss fights, but players note that it can become repetitive over time. Some users also reported issues with the soundtrack volume being too low, requiring adjustments for better audibility. Overall, while the music enhances the experience, its repetitiveness and volume concerns detract from its impact.
- “I had to turn the soundtrack up to 99 just so I could hear what was being said on the DVD.”
- “I like the music, but it gets repetitive after a while.”
- “The soundtrack was too low on the DVD; I had to go as high as 99 just so I could hear what was being said on the DVD.”
- “The soundtrack was too low on the DVD.”
graphics
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The graphics of the game are generally praised as decent for its price, with an impressive art style that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the visual quality alongside the engaging gameplay and storyline, which closely follows the movie.
- “The game has a good plot, and the graphics are pretty decent for the price at which it is published. I totally recommend it.”
- “It's pretty fun, and the art style of the game is amazing.”
- “I finished the game minutes ago, and I love it! The graphics and gameplay are good, and the story follows the movie very closely.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its authentic representation of traditional Chinese culture, enhanced by the incorporation of various Southern Shaolin martial arts moves, such as Hung Kuen and Choy Lay Fut. This blend of cultural elements creates an immersive experience that resonates well with players.
- “The traditional Chinese atmosphere really enhances the experience, making every moment feel authentic and immersive.”
- “The game beautifully captures the essence of its setting, creating a rich and vibrant atmosphere that draws you in.”
- “The blend of martial arts and cultural elements creates a unique atmosphere that is both engaging and captivating.”
- “The traditional Chinese atmosphere is well-represented, but it feels superficial and lacks depth.”
- “While the martial arts moves are impressive, the overall atmosphere fails to immerse me in the experience.”
- “The game attempts to create a traditional setting, but it ultimately feels empty and uninspired.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users report significant stability issues, particularly noting frequent freezes that can severely disrupt gameplay.
- “The lesser but almost game-breaking issue was the freezes.”
- “I experienced frequent crashes that made it impossible to enjoy the game.”
- “The game is plagued by stability issues, with constant lag and unexpected shutdowns.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional impact of the original game elicited feelings of empathy and sadness, while the new version tends to provoke frustration, leading to a different, more negative emotional response.
- “The original made me want to cry in empathy; this one makes me cry with frustration.”

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51%Critics’ scoreBased on 10 critic reviews

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10h Median play time

13h Average play time

7-22h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

MONKEY KING: HERO IS BACK is a role playing game.

MONKEY KING: HERO IS BACK is available on PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Windows and others.

On average players spend around 13 hours playing MONKEY KING: HERO IS BACK.

MONKEY KING: HERO IS BACK was released on October 16, 2019.

MONKEY KING: HERO IS BACK was developed by D4 Enterprise Co., Ltd..

MONKEY KING: HERO IS BACK has received neutral reviews from players and neutral reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its gameplay.

MONKEY KING: HERO IS BACK is a single player game.

Similar games include Black Myth: Wukong, DRAGON QUEST HEROES™ Slime Edition, Icey, SUCCUBUS, Gujian 3 and others.

MONKEY KING: HERO IS BACK

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