Black Myth Wukong is a highly anticipated action role-playing game developed by Game Science, a Chinese indie studio founded by former Tencent developers. The game is inspired by the classic 16th-century Chinese novel Journey to the West, which tells the epic story of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, and his companions as they travel to India to obtain Buddhist scriptures. Black Myth: Wukong aims to retell this legend with stunning graphics, immersive gameplay, and a rich lore.
Contents
Release Date and Platforms
Black Myth Wukong was first announced in August 2020 with a 13-minute pre-alpha gameplay video that went viral on YouTube and bilibili, attracting millions of views and widespread attention. Since then, the developer has released two more gameplay trailers, one in February 2021 to celebrate the year of the Ox, and another in August 2021 to showcase the game’s transition to Unreal Engine 5.
The game is set to launch in the summer of 2024, according to a short video released by Game Science in January 2023. The video features a young rabbit trying to install the game on an outdated PC, only to be greeted by a countdown clock that spans several years. The video ends with the aged rabbit finally getting to play Black Myth: Wukong in 2024.
The developer has confirmed that the game will be available for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Additionally, they are exploring the possibility of supporting cloud gaming platforms that can ensure a smooth gameplay experience.
Gameplay and Features
Black Myth Wukong is described as a Souls-like game, meaning that it features challenging combat, exploration, and character customization. The player controls Sun Wukong, referred to as “the Destined One” in the game, who has various abilities and skills based on his depiction in Journey to the West.
Some of these abilities include:
- Shapeshifting into different people, animals, and objects
- Cloning himself or various forms of himself
- Cloud somersaulting
- Leaping great distances
- Weather manipulation
- Spells to control gods and spirits
The player can also switch between three different attack stances. Their names are Smash Form, Pillar Form, and Thrust Form. Each stance has its own advantages and disadvantages, such as speed, range, and power. Furthermore, the player can use spells such as Immobilize, Stone Solid, Ring of Fire, and The Pluck of Many to gain an edge in combat.
The game also features two transformation abilities: one turns Sun Wukong into a Fireblade Wolf, a fiery creature with enhanced speed and damage; and the other turns him into a Poisonous Creature, a venomous beast that can inflict poison on enemies.
The game will have various potions that the player can find and collect for in-game use. For example, antidote potions can cure poison effects, while healing potions can restore health.
The game will have multiple boss fights and enemies based on Chinese mythology and folklore. Some of the confirmed bosses include:
- Centipede Guai: A giant centipede that can roll and punch with its limbs. It can also release poisonous gas that causes gradual health loss.
- Macaque Chief: A monkey king who leads a tribe of macaques. He can summon snowstorms and hurl ice spears at Sun Wukong.
- White Bone Demon: A female demon who can transform into various forms to deceive Sun Wukong. She can also summon skeletons and use dark magic.
- Bull Demon King: A powerful demon who is Sun Wukong’s rival. He can transform into a bull or a human form. He wields a giant axe and can create shockwaves with his attacks.
Story and Lore
Black Myth: Wukong follows the original story of Journey to the West, but with some twists and additions. The game will explore Sun Wukong’s origins, motivations, and personality as he embarks on his quest to obtain Buddhist scriptures.
The game will also delve into the stories behind various characters, such as his companions Tang Sanzang (the monk), Zhu Bajie (the pig), and Sha Wujing (the sand demon); his enemies such as the White Bone Demon and the Bull Demon King; and his allies such as Guanyin (the goddess of mercy) and Erlang Shen (the god of war).
The game will feature a rich lore based on Chinese culture, history, and philosophy. The game will reference various concepts such as Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Yin and Yang, Feng Shui, Five Elements, Eight Trigrams, Four Symbols, etc.
The game will also showcase various locations inspired by real-world places in China, such as the Yellow River, the Kunlun Mountains, the Flaming Mountain, the Heavenly Palace, etc.
Frequently Asked Q/A
Is Black Myth Wukong a multiplayer game?
No, Black Myth Wukong is a single-player game.
Is Black Myth Wukong an open-world game?
No, Black Myth Wukong is not an open-world game. The game will have linear and nonlinear levels that the player can explore.
Is Black Myth Wukong a Chinese game?
Yes, Black Myth Wukong is a Chinese game developed by Game Science, a Chinese indie studio. However, the game will support multiple languages, including English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese.
Is Black Myth Wukong based on a true story?
No, Black Myth Wukong is based on Journey to the West, a classic Chinese novel that is a fictional account of the legendary monk Xuanzang’s pilgrimage to India to obtain Buddhist scriptures. The novel features many mythical and fantastical elements, such as gods, demons, magic, and talking animals.
How can I pre-order Black Myth Wukong?
There is no official pre-order information for Black Myth Wukong yet. You can sign up on the official website to get notified when it becomes available.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7uLXKopqepJWXwG%2BvzqZmm6SRmLhuuditn2avpaC8r7OO