Black Myth: Wukong

Black Myth: Wukong delivers breathtaking combat, stellar production quality, and unforgettable boss fights. Its few quirks don’t hold it back from being one of the genre’s best games in recent memory.

Despite Black Myth: WuKong achieving world-class standards in art and presentation, with solid and engaging gameplay, rich content, and a narrative and artistic expression that is uniquely meaningful for East Asian players—especially those who grew up with Journey to the West—the game is not without its flaws. The inexperience in level design and the drawbacks of excessive resource allocation have indeed impacted the overall experience…As a Chinese player who grew up watching the Journey to the West cartoons and TV series, playing Black Myth: WuKong is an experience that deeply resonates with me. I appreciate the developers' unreserved presentation of Journey to the West culture, and I am in awe of the game's artistic presentation. This profound cultural empathy has already made up for any shortcomings.

With breathtaking concept art, stunning graphics and sceneries, wonderful score, and one of the most fulfilling playabilities we've seen in role-playing games, Black Myth: Wukong is unquestionably a Game Of The Year candidate, promising a bright future for the genre's fans.

Hands down, one of this year's best action games - Black Myth: Wukong is a flurry of sublime combat and expert boss design.

We expected something grandiose with Black Myth Wukong and we got it ! Whether in terms of its production or its gameplay, Game Science's title is a small miracle. Graphically, the game is splendid, to the point where it will become a reference for future games of this caliber. The Chinese studio proves that not only does it master the Unreal Engine 5, but that it also knows how to deliver an immersive and superbly told universe. On PC the game is magnificent, but on PS5 too, the result is sublime. There are a few failures here and there, but nothing too dramatic considering all the work done. But it's not just the setting that is fantastic, the gameplay too. Fluid, nervous and particularly enjoyable, the gameplay of Black Myth Wukong allows you to enjoy the Monkey King's abilities, from his legendary agility to his multiple transformations, without forgetting the mastery of his magic staff. Sure, we could complain about the lack of a map to find our way around, that the invisible walls could have been better hidden and that some secrets are really too cryptic to find, but that's nothing compared to the generosity that the game shows. Because let's not forget that the Black Myth Wukong project is not only the very first game from a young independent studio, and which started with a team of 13 developers for a year (to end up with more than a hundred at the end), and that, and it's respectful.

Black Myth: Wukong masterfully takes what makes a good Soulslike tick without selling its own soul, delivering what is the best action game of the year.

Black Myth: Wukong is everything we hoped for and more a game that, by its own merits, is set to crown itself as one of the best of the year, without a doubt. With exquisite gameplay and a cinematic narrative development, it puts the finishing touch on a well-rounded game if you're into challenges. The difficulty curve, in my opinion, is absolutely unbalanced, becoming increasingly harder as you progress through the chapters, with some utterly broken bosses that will drive you crazy. However, the feeling you get after overcoming them is something entirely different. Overall, this is an absolutely unmissable title if you're a fan of Souls-like games. Here, you’ll find hours of entertainment and a good hundred final bosses for your delight, enjoyment, and frustration the Yin and Yang perfectly represented in a video game.

I'm a deeply time-invested Souls player. To be honest, it took me a few hours to give up my Soulslike expectations, engrained muscle memory and to set aside comparisons with FromSoftware's best. When I did, Black Myth: Wukong and its design suddenly made a lot more sense. The biggest disservice to the game would be to come to Black Myth: Wukong as an Elden Ring player, for example, and be disappointed that there aren't quests, companions, a warehouse full of weapons, and the ability to explore the beautiful world…As a massively ambitious game made by a relatively small developer, Black Myth: Wukong could have gone sideways in a dozen different ways. That it didn't is a minor miracle. That the game looks incredible, offers deep and engaging combat and a unique blend of mechanics is even more impressive. Black Myth: Wukong takes a very specific approach to the action-RPG genre that might not be for every player. But judged on its own merits and self-imposed rules, it's an almost entirely successful and deeply satisfying game to master.

Black Myth: Wukong is not only a beautiful demonstration of the graphical power that we can expect from Unreal Engine 5, but it is also an excellent action game and a possible candidate for the Game of the Year race in 2024.

If you have the slightest interest in Journey to the West, Asian philosophy, or want to broaden your horizons, then this is an easy recommendation. Aside from being an exceptional, accessible game to play, the references to works you may not be familiar with will instill an appetite to learn more. I know it has in me. All of this coming from a studio I had never heard of before (GameScience), though I hope it finds great success after their effort here. If this is an example of what they can achieve, I can’t wait to see the next project.

Black Myth: Wukong may look like another soulslike on the surface, but in truth, it is a fantastic action RPG with great boss battles, memorable characters, and my favourite mechanic of the year so far, Transformations. You can be a rock with legs!

Black Myth Wukong delights with its top-notch production and comprehensive gameplay. It's a pleasure to accompany the Predestined One on his quest for power, enjoying every moment in this incredible world.

Black Myth: Wukong is a fine action game that takes a lot of notes from the Souls games but giving it it's own twist in the mix. the only thing that drags the fun down is the optimization issues this game faces on release but I hope Game Science keeps on working on the game, and may we see another game in this style in the future.

Statistically Black Myth: Wukon is a phenomenon of 2024. The game breaks online records and demonstrates the power of Chinese game development. The main thing is not to expect something brilliant from it and forgive the flaws - then you will have a great time.

It is a challenging and fantastic action game that should not be missed by anyone who feels that a challenge of this kind is worth taking on.

Black Myth: Wukong is a visual masterpiece that brings the rich Chinese culture and mythology to life in an impressive way. The combat is satisfying, and the variety in environments and bosses keeps the experience fresh. Despite some frustrations with invisible walls, occasionally inconsistent difficulty, and performance issues, Black Myth: Wukong offers a unique and immersive experience. For those who crave a deep cultural immersion and challenging action, Black Myth: Wukong is definitely worth it.

The game prominently showcases its distinctly Chinese story and visuals, and it nails them perfectly. The stunning action sequences that unfold within these beautiful scenes keep you constantly engaged, driving you relentlessly toward the next chapter, the next boss, the next item, or the next transformation—always eager for what’s coming next.

Black Myth: Wukong took us by surprise. It had a lot of potential from its initial reveal, but what Game Science has been able to create is nothing short of greatness. This is a visual treat that brings ancient China and Chinese mythology to life like never before, crafting a story that, while somewhat vague, will have you compelled to progress further thanks to its creative presentation values.

Black Myth: Wukong is a fun and challenging hack and slash action game that focuses on dodges, combos, heavy hits, and a large variety of bosses. The title meets the high expectations we had, although the level design left me with a slightly bittersweet taste.

Black Myth Wukong is a true AAA experience that blends the intensity of Sekiro with the accessibility of modern RPGs, all in a well-polished package.

Black Myth: Wukong is not just a game, it is a unique adventure that you won't soon forget. With a silent hero whose actions speak volumes, the journey to enlightenment is rewarding, thrilling, and entertaining. The strength of this game lies in its genuinely outstanding boss battles, each one a unique and challenging experience. While the journey to those moments might not be the smoothest, the experience is well worth it. This is a game that promises to be an unforgettable adventure in 2024 and beyond.

Black Myth: Wukong blossoms with an eccentric cast of characters and expressive combat all wrapped up in the rich world of its source material.

Black Myth: Wukong is a visually stunning, action-packed adventure that continues the tale of A Journey to the West. You'll encounter formidable bosses, explore breathtaking locations, and discover how this epic story unfolds. Despite a few shortcomings, the game guarantees an unforgettable experience for anyone who picks it up.

Black Myth: Wukong’s foundations are clearly soulslike, but it is more forgiving than FromSoftware’s titles and its approach to level design is quite different. The game is technical impressive and offers stunning visuals, while its gameplay delights and frustrates at the same time, mainly during numerous encounters with brilliantly designed bosses.

In case of too many new games - break glass. Inside you will find Black Myth: Wukong. A great proposition among numerous game debuts of upcoming fall. It really is original, and stunning to look at, even though it's not perfect.

Game Science’s adaptation not only pays homage to the beloved Journey to the West but also introduces innovative gameplay mechanics and stunning visuals powered by Unreal Engine 5, making it a standout title in the action RPG genre. Black Myth: Wukong is by all means an ambitious title for a studio’s first project, and for the most part, it succeeds in aiming high. Its strengths in gameplay, visuals, and music are undeniable, but it is held back by technical problems and design choices that may not appeal to everyone.

Black Myth: Wukong is a video game with a brilliant and well-composed combat system, full of facets and things to see. It could very well be a new yardstick for the action genre, even if the inexperience of the team in some respects, also due to the amount of bosses within it, leads to being less enthusiastic than usual. Game Science's video game is usual, really solid, much more than I would have expected. The future of the team, hoping it is far from controversy and aggressive behavior, is well marked.

Although Black Myth: Wukong is an uneven game, its strong points overshadow the negatives. It is an intense combat experience that shines brightest during numerous and challenging boss fights. However, the level design leaves much to be desired due to its clumsiness and lack of inspiration, which sharply cuts off the feeling of exploration. Despite all this, it is a challenging and recommendable game for its unique Eastern flavor.

Black Myth: Wukong uses the wonderful canvas of Chinese mythology to draw you into its world that is both beautiful and dangerous. Struggling at times to fully tell its story, its narrative mostly gives the game structure while leaving out a lot of detailed substance hoping for you to somehow make it make sense. Sure, the game’s emphasis is combat, but for a soulslike game that looks this beautiful and has so much lore attached to it, you would hope it also spent more time focusing on its story. Its combat offers you plenty of ways to experiment what works for you, but it also offers you enough difficulty to keep you on your toes and adapting to each new situation. These elements make for a game that rewards you with the thrill of a battle and doesn’t punish you too much for making mistakes. While its world is not the easiest to explore or to comprehend, Wukong’s rewards are worth it and make for a thrilling journey of discovery.

After all those years of waiting, Black Myth: Wukong is a very good adventure game. Using a setting that rarely gets seen in the Western world makes the game intriguing, and that's strengthened when you discover all of the character background stories. The combat is just as varied as the environments you traverse, and while the game isn't as masochistic as other modern action games, it is difficult enough that a little patience and planning will still take you a long way in skirmishes. The presentation is amazing, but it stresses out even the best hardware at the moment. To optimize the gorgeous graphics in Black Myth, players need beefy hardware that can take advantage of various upscaling technologies. It is a worthy pick-up for patient adventure fans, and the title will keep players busy for quite some time.

Black Myth Wukong is an original and satisfying experience. Game Science's product is a title that makes the splendid setting and a functional and convincing combat system its strong points, breaking away from comparisons with other illustrious exponents of the "hardcore" genre and carving out a space of its own with personality and competence. Some doubts remain about the balance of some encounters and the not always accurate registration of hits, but if - as it seems - Wukong will only be the first piece in the mosaic of the Black Myth saga, we can't wait to see what wonders this team will have in store for us in the future.

Black Myth: Wukong has everything it takes to be one of the titles in contention for Game of the Year 2024, despite its technical shortcomings. The well-told story features interesting characters, but it's not brilliant, which leaves room for the excellent combat to steal the limelight with great boss battles and a spectacular variety of enemies. The game is an admirable invitation for players to learn more about China's rich mythology.

Black Myth: Wukong stands out as one of the strongest debut games released in recent times. While not groundbreaking in any way, it masterfully blends elements from several popular franchises to deliver an engaging action RPG experience that ranks just below the very best in the genre. Although stuttering issues and minor gameplay flaws hold it back slightly, these shouldn't deter any action RPG or action game fan from picking it up. The Journey to the West has rarely been this enjoyable.

Black Myth: Wukong will not be a Dark Souls but it is a highly recommended experience for role-playing fans, the From Software saga and for those who are looking for a truly new generation game visually.

A stylish action adventure with stunning graphics and exciting fights that sometimes gets too carried away with details.

In just three days, 10 million copies were sold, making it one of the fastest-selling games ever. A game about Chinese mythology may not be so accessible in Western countries, but Black myth: Wukong is simply a rock-solid action game. So flashy and simply beautiful that you'll happily forgive its minor shortcomings.

Black Myth Wukong offers fluid combat mechanics and an impressive atmosphere set in an epic mythological world. Despite some gameplay limitations, it manages to be one of the most engaging action games of the year.

Black Myth: Wukong is a visually stunning and mechanically sound RPG that offers a fresh spin on a beloved myth. Its engaging combat, especially the epic boss battles, and impressive art direction make it a must-play for fans of action RPGs. However, the game’s linear exploration, underwhelming gear system, and occasional technical issues hold it back from being a true masterpiece. For those looking for a challenging action RPG with deep roots in Chinese mythology, Black Myth: Wukong delivers an unforgettable experience, even if it stumbles in a few areas.

Black Myth: Wukong brings a myth to life that is bursting with fantasy and visual power. The game also has a lot to offer behind the scenes: varied boss designs and powerful battles keep you hooked throughout the surprisingly long running time. Explorers often come up against a brick wall because of the level design, which is both confusing and restrictive, but those who can deal with that will find an ideal entry point to a fascinating legend here.

Black Myth: Wukong is an example of a fun game that sparks interest in a foreign culture all across the globe.

Black Myth: Wukong is one of 2024's must-haves. Heart-stopping visuals and frenetic combat as its foundation, strained by uneven performance and level design that sometimes misses the mark. Still, it manages to deliver an epic and immersive adventure.

An epic adventure awaits you if your machine can run Black Myth Wukong properly. It's one of the best-looking, best-realized games we've ever had the pleasure of playing. Battles are nervous and intense, but the gameplay is easy to master, with enough tools at your disposal not to get bored with the dozens and dozens of bosses awaiting you. Finally, it's a shame that the story is difficult to understand for the vast majority of players, and that the immense potential of the level design is ruined by the invisible walls, which are placed haphazardly.

After a complicated first approach, Black Myth Wukong opened its doors to us (literally) and we have to say that we would have been disappointed to miss out on its adventure. Supported by one of the most exhilarating gameplays of recent years, Game Science's game offers us a skillfully measured challenge that makes us want to discover more each time. Not so linear after all, the journey of the Predestined would have gained from being more concise and erasing its most extensive portions to focus on the essentials. In any case, for this grand premiere, the game honors its promise in terms of immersion, game system and entertainment, even if we regret the lack of rhythm, the redundancy of the level design and a few slight flaws. The creators of Black Myth Wukong have made their science speak: the formula is not perfect but the alchemy works!

Not a graphics blender, but not a savior either: Black Myth: Wukong is a largely successful action role-playing game with fun fights, visual variety and, despite minor flaws in terms of gameplay variety, is captivating.

Black Myth: Wukong delivers on the spectacle and satisfying combat that caught everyone’s eye during its trailers. Discovering secrets and boss fights are the highlights here, but overall level design and some of the upgrade systems feel messy. Despite that, Black Myth: Wukong is still an incredibly fun time.

Black Myth: Wukong isn’t quite Games Science’s masterpiece. But it’s easy to see how it could be a strong foundation to get there.

Black Myth: Wukong draws from the iconic Sun Wukong mythos to deliver an action RPG packed with satisfying action and dizzying magical variety, set in a delightful world.

The combat system doesn't present anything completely new, but everything it does offer is well done. The transformations, in particular, give a unique touch to each encounter, providing a variety and customization that are the foundation of the experience. Meanwhile, the world design, while somewhat clumsy, places great weight on exploration and rewards all those who decide to visit every possible corner, whether with items or additional boss fights. The end result is a very fun experience that, despite feeling longer than it should be, does meet some of the public's expectations, although clearly not all.

Black Myth: Wukong delivers on the hype that was built during the four years since its reveal. The agile, challenging combat mixes really well with stunning visuals. A few minor mistakes, such as unfair hitboxes and story pacing do not deny all the great elements in the game.

Black Myth: Wukong is an uneven game where the highlights often outnumber the lowlights. Its triumphant boss battles and fast-paced combat make up for the stale moments in between, where bland level design and a scarcity of enemies will have you clamoring for the next face-off with a deadly Yaoguai. I appreciate that it's not just another souls-like in what is now a crowded genre, and the choice to go for a boss gauntlet is unexpected and, honestly, quite refreshing. It's disappointing that it falters outside of its cinematic clashes against mighty beasts, but designing this many rousing boss battles while avoiding a sense of fatigue is no mean feat and deserves praise.

If one word can summurise Black Myth Wukong, it would be : generous. In both good and bad. Game Science's title is indeed a beautiful adventure paying a convincing tribute to the mythical Journey to the West. We really feel like a mighty hero of the Chinese legends, in an epic saga that crushes us under its majesty. For its first AAA game, the Chinese studio offers us a great show with a visible enthusiasm. Perhaps too much. Some way too grandiose boss fights are marred by a frustrating lack of visibility and a rather unbalanced difficulty. Nonetheless, we were truly pleasantly surprised by this Action-RPG mixed with Souls-like elements from China. For a first shot (with a stick) in the big league of games, Black Myth Wukong makes its entry with flying colors. Such a prospect is promising for the other ambitious upcoming Chinese titles.

Black Myth Wukong is a gorgeous game that has taken great efforts to make an interesting and exciting reimagining of one of East Asia’s most popular myths. The game is solid, and outside of frame drops, otherwise performs very well. And it’s probably one of the best action RPG I’ve played all year.

Black Myth: Wukong pretty much delivers on what it always promised: a gorgeous world where you get to battle crazy monsters and demons. It would be nice if there was a little more to do between the craziest monsters and demons, but if you want a game that will test you while giving you some nice scenery to look at, you’ll find it here.

Black Myth: Wukong is one of the best non-FromSoftware games in this genre, joining the likes of Lies of P in the pantheon of excellent Soulslikes. Instead of copying Dark Souls’ homework, it carries you through this journey with plenty of ideas and charm of its own.

Apart from that, there’s a lot of fun to be had with Black Myth: Wukong, and it’s a must-play for anyone that enjoys a good soulslike. It’s also perfect for anyone with soulslike fatigue and weary of the brutal difficulty that usually comes with them. It’s beautiful, frantic, challenging, and a delight to play.

Despite some frustrating technical issues, Black Myth: Wukong is a great action game with fantastic combat, exciting bosses, tantalizing secrets, and a beautiful world.

Though a mere optimisation and balance patch from meeting its full ambition, Black Myth: Wukong is a really great action RPG, almost standing as high as the rest. The story and world of Journey to the West and all its mythos translate incredibly well into an action game, providing immensely captivating creature and enemy boss designs and encounters. Serving as one of the most demanding games of its ilk for a while, both graphically and in combat challenge, you'll be well vested in Black Myth's world as you crush powerful mythic beasts wherever you go with fantastical magical abilities. This journey to the west is a journey well worth the wait.

Black Myth: Wukong is only a Soulslike in the way Stellar Blade is, and that's to its credit. It lightly borrows elements from the subgenre but carves out a niche for themselves by focusing on its key differences. Despite some performance issues and frustrating difficulty spikes, Black Myth: Wukong’s frenetic combat and emphasis on fluid movement make it feel unlike any of its other contemporaries.

Black Myth: Wukong is living proof that developers other than FromSoftware can create top-tier action RPGs. Its exploration and character customization are more restrictive than I'd have liked, but its combat and boss fights are second to none.

With strong combat and a fascinating world that mostly rewards exploration, Black Myth: Wukong is a fun action RPG that feels like the modern God of War games viewed through the lens of Chinese mythology.

When the combat is this good, though, it’s hard to complain too much. Black Myth: Wukong offers thrilling battles with devastating bosses in stunning arenas. Even without a particularly compelling narrative or much in the way of exploration, Game Science has managed to craft a highly memorable experience that borrows from other popular games but still offers a unique experience. Action fans will find what they’re looking for with Black Myth: Wukong.

Black Myth Wukong turned out to be a game far beyond our expectations. This is a game that more than ever represents its market: it's imposing, impressive, at times exceptional, but at the same time, it focuses too much on technical impact and large-scale elements, neglecting important details and falling into oversights one wouldn't expect from a team with such technical capabilities. It remains an extremely varied and enjoyable action game, with unique qualities and some truly high moments. We are far from a masterpiece, but we don't doubt it will make waves, and if this is the beginning of Game Science's story, we can't wait to see what they will achieve in the future.

Black Myth: Wukong delivers a visually stunning action-packed adventure deeply rooted in Chinese mythology. While the combat system is engaging and the world is expansive, the game is hindered by a disjointed narrative and repetitive environments. Players looking for a challenging action experience will find much to enjoy, but the lack of a cohesive story and navigational tools may detract from the overall enjoyment. Despite its flaws, Black Myth: Wukong stands as a unique and ambitious title that is worth experiencing.

Black Myth Wukong is the Journey to the West adaptation I've always wanted – an ambitious action RPG with stunning visuals, spectacular boss designs, and snappy combat. However, sluggish camera tracking, restrictive exploration, and early-game difficulty spikes might be a dealbreaker for some.

This is an action RPG whose focus is less on punishing, labyrinthine environments and more on delivering precise, melee-based combat encounters that put the Destined One’s agility to the test.

Fresh setting and vibrant locations belie some serious gameplay issues, like very uneven difficulty and sluggish movement of the main character. [Issue#265, p.66]

Black Myth: Wukong captures attention with its impressive graphics and the allure of Chinese mythology, but despite the visual experience and a promising combat system, the game suffers from several issues that prevent it from excelling.

Black Myth Wukong falls a bit short of the legend of the Monkey King due to a few bugs and design decisions, but it manages to offer an action-adventure especially designed for souls fans and those who like to... beat the monkey.

Black Myth: Wukong is an incredibly engaging and entertaining action RPG in many ways. While the overarching narrative leaves a lot to be desired, and the technical and balance issues can be a hindrance, the game still provides an epic, unforgettable gameplay and cinematic experience that not many games can rival.

The bottom line is this: adjust your expectations about Black Myth Wukong as a proper Soulslike, and jump on in if its setting and mythos interests you.

The success of the Monkey King on this journey depends on us. The game, which attracts our attention with its graphic quality, manages to offer an action-adventure that can be tried especially for souls fans.

Black Myth: Wukong’s combat system doesn’t have anything that makes it truly unique. The variety in ways to tackle combat is often lacking, and it doesn’t feel all that good to play either. That said, the concept of creating openings for the enemy rather than exploiting them is interesting, and by rewarding players who take full advantage of the few chances the game gives you, it makes its boss encounters worthwhile despite its lacking combat system. Character customization and exploration is on the thin side too, and the story is hard to follow if you haven’t read Journey to the West. However, the impressive graphics make every moment of the game look like a painting. Experiencing this world based on classic Chinese literature through the game’s unique vision is still worth your time.

A beautiful action game that mostly entertains royally but sometimes spoils the experience with unpolished design or overly simplistic mechanics.

The setting and the action-packed fights in particular really hooked me. However, in the final built I miss the feeling that the trailers previously conveyed. The devs definitely have the opportunity to bring their brilliant ideas to full bloom with a little bit of work.

Black Myth: Wukong infuses the cultural heritage of China, its rich mythology, and one of its most important pieces of literature with an action RPG structure that's as deep as it is grand in scale. However, this same scope leads to some inconsistency across the board that is a detriment to the overall quality.

If you can look beyond some janky fights and want to experience a unique setting, there’s fun to be had in Black Myth: Wukong.

If you were hoping for a more approachable and interactive dive into the classic story of Journey to the West, Black Myth: Wukong will make you work for it. The few cutscenes bookending each chapter are fantastic, but too much of the lore and mythology is relegated to long text dumps in the menu. The game is punching far above its weight in visuals and boss variety, so anyone looking for a meaty quest that cuts the fat between visually spectacular boss battles will be more than satisfied. Just be willing to be patient as Black Myth: Wukong finds its pacing.

A game with peaks and valleys like this is, as I've stated throughout the review, frustrating. I can see a 10/10 in this game somewhere, but multiple questionable-level design and game design choices combined with a hefty amount of performance issues and bugs unfortunately drag it down. Black Myth: Wukong is a beautiful, somber, fascinating tale to experience — you just have to muddle your way through a forest of problems to enjoy it.

Black Myth: Wukong is not the safe, samey, hyper-polished souls-like I expected it to be. This is great news for those who will jell with its style, but it will stop it from reaching mass appeal. The surface-level exploration and awkward invisible walls are frustrating, as is the lacklustre story. Hopefully, Wukong’s originality will shine brighter than its pitfalls.

Ultimately, Black Myth: Wukong is a very solid action RPG, complete with thrilling cinematic boss fights, diverse, gorgeously rendered locales, a rich combat system replete with build options, and a well-told story. However, it holds itself back with bland level design and disappointing enemy variety, along with a superfluous gear system and a few noteworthy performance issues.

Black Myth: Wukong is a mediocre game in a shiny wrapper. Reading descriptions of enemies is much more interesting than fighting them.

Visually, this can be a fascinating journey, with its massive-headed monks and no-headed minstrels, but in service of little more than endless duels, hardly an ideal vehicle to dig into the novel's themes. Black Myth, in short, seems unsure what kind of monkey it wants to be. [Issue#402, p.104]

Its dramatic and spectacular boss fights just about keep Black Myth: Wukong afloat, but behind all its glitz and glamour is a frustratingly hollow and rudderless action game.

While it has some exceptional features, including its visuals, combat design, and many extraordinarily exhilarating boss fights, as well as a compelling plot line, it is not enough to warrant a better score. Given that most of its shortcomings lie in performance, diversity, and wasted environmental factors that would have transformed it into something great, these are integral features that, at a fundamental level, all RPGs, especially soulslike ones, should encompass in their content.

Black Myth: Wukong is a game that shies away from the Soulslike label, yet it is clearly gunning for the Soulslike audience. It is far from the best in the genre, but it's also not the worst game that has followed in Dark Souls' footsteps. If you go into it expecting a mostly standard Soulslike experience with some blood-boiling boss encounters mixed in with basic level design, you will have a better time than if you were going into it expecting it to be like a traditional character action game. Black Myth: Wukong offers about 30 hours of gameplay for its first playthrough with a ton of side content to check out as well, but many will tire of the limited combat options long before they reach its dazzling yet equally aggravating final boss fight.