Black Myth: Wukong instantly captures attention with its bold mix of mythological storytelling and action-heavy combat. Drawing from the legendary tale of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, this game promises an epic adventure deeply rooted in rich folklore. It positions itself as a visual and technical marvel, with lush environments, grotesque creatures, and smooth, impactful animations powered by Unreal Engine 5. At first glance, Black Myth offers much to be excited about, but beneath the glossy exterior lies a deeper experience that, while engaging, starts to wear thin as the game progresses.
The opening hours feel special. As Sun Wukong, you’re immersed in awe-inspiring landscapes, ancient temples, and dark forests brimming with mythical creatures. The world feels magical and lived-in, with clear attention to detail from the developers at Game Science. Combat stands as the game’s focal point, initially feeling tight and responsive. Borrowing from the Souls-like genre, it features familiar mechanics like dodge rolls, light and heavy attacks, stamina management, and punishing enemies that push you to learn their attack patterns. What sets Black Myth apart early on is Sun Wukong’s ability to transform into various creatures, adding a strategic layer to combat. Each transformation brings its own strengths and weaknesses, keeping encounters fresh and allowing for unique combat approaches.
The combat depth in Black Myth: Wukong starts out feeling promising, but it becomes more of a mixed bag as you progress through the game. Initially, the combat feels tight, responsive, and rewarding. It draws heavily from the Souls-like formula, featuring core mechanics like dodge rolls, stamina management, light and heavy attacks, and the need to carefully read enemy patterns. Players familiar with games like Sekiro or Wo Long will recognize this approach, where timing and precision are key to survival. The early stages of the game showcase its potential, with a variety of combat options and strategies that seem to offer a deep experience.
A unique aspect that adds to the combat depth early on is Sun Wukong’s ability to transform into different creatures. This mechanic allows you to switch between forms, each with its own set of abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. For instance, you might transform into a massive creature for brute force or a smaller, more agile form to outmaneuver enemies. These transformations give the game a strategic edge that sets it apart from Sekiro or Wo Long, where you are more reliant on mastering a single skill set or weapon. In Black Myth, this shapeshifting mechanic encourages experimentation and offers different approaches to tackling enemies and bosses.
Early boss fights are another highlight that adds depth to the combat. Much like in Sekiro, where each boss encounter requires a specific strategy and precise execution, Black Myth’s bosses feel like large-scale puzzles that test your mastery of the game’s mechanics. These encounters are both visually stunning and mechanically demanding, forcing you to use all of your abilities, including transformations, to overcome them.
However, as the game progresses, the combat depth starts to feel less expansive. One of the key issues is the lack of enemy variety. After the first few hours, the regular enemies you encounter don’t evolve significantly in terms of complexity or challenge. This leads to a repetitive combat loop where you are applying the same strategies without needing to adapt or explore new tactics. Games like Sekiro or God of War consistently introduce new enemy types or variations that push players to refine their approach, but Black Myth falls short in this regard. Over time, this stagnation can make combat sequences feel like going through the motions rather than engaging in a dynamic and evolving challenge.
The transformation system, while initially a standout feature, also starts to lose some of its depth. As the game progresses, you may find yourself relying on a few preferred forms, which makes the shapeshifting mechanic feel less strategic and more like a situational gimmick. Unlike in Sekiro, where each new encounter or boss forces you to rethink your strategy, Black Myth doesn’t consistently demand this level of adaptation, which can make the combat feel less rewarding over time.
While the game doesn’t fully recover from its mid-game slump, this final encounter offers a glimpse of its true potential. The secret boss reminds players of the creativity and excitement that made the early chapters so engaging, even if those qualities became less apparent as the game went on.
In the end, Black Myth: Wukong is a game brimming with potential. Its stunning visuals, unique premise, and early promise of deep, strategic combat make it an experience worth trying, especially for fans of action RPGs and Chinese mythology. However, the repetitiveness, pacing issues, and the unbalanced Chapter 3 hold it back from achieving greatness.
What ultimately saves it from being forgettable is the hidden endboss, an encounter that leaves a lasting impression and highlights the game’s best qualities. While it doesn’t entirely offset the game’s weaknesses, it adds a layer of depth that makes the journey worth seeing through. Black Myth: Wukong earns its 7/10 rating—it’s a good game that occasionally flirts with greatness but stumbles in key areas. Fans of the genre will find something to enjoy, though they should be prepared for a journey that doesn’t always live up to its incredible promise.