China’s first AAA video game, Black Myth: Wukong, has arrived to critical acclaim, which will undoubtedly be a huge milestone for the Chinese gaming industry. Developed by Hangzhou-based studio Game Science, the action RPG inspired by the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West has drawn attention for its stunning visuals, engaging gameplay, and cultural significance.
Early reviews paint a picture of a game that successfully balances the line between challenging combat and accessible adventure. Currently, Black Myth: Wukong has a Metacritic score of 81 based on 60 critic reviews. This places it comfortably among the top Chinese games of all time, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with popular titles like Genshin Impact and PUBG Mobile.
Check out some of the critic reviews of Black Myth: Wukong:
- IGN – 8/10
- GamesRadar+ – 4/5
- Eurogamer – 3/5
- PC Gamer – 87%
- GameSpot – 8/10
- GamingBolt – 10/10
The game’s combat system has been particularly praised due to its fluidity and depth. Players can switch between different staff stances – Smash, Pillar, and Thrust – each offering unique movesets and tactical advantages. The addition of various spells and abilities, such as freezing enemies in place or summoning doppelgangers, means players can come up with different strategies depending on the encounters they are facing.
Critics have also been impressed by the game’s visual fidelity and attention to detail. The environments have been described as breathtaking, while the intricate designs of Chinese mythological creatures and architecture have been mentioned as standout features.
While the story may be challenging to follow for those unfamiliar with Journey to the West, the game’s spectacle and drama appear to more than make up for any narrative confusion. Boss fights have been lauded for their cinematic quality and clever design, which really is what any AAA game should offer as a bare minimum.
Despite its clear inspirations from FromSoftware’s Souls series, Black Myth: Wukong sets itself apart with its unique setting, more forgiving gameplay elements, and a sense of generosity in its design. The ability to retain “Will” (the game’s equivalent of souls or XP) upon death and the abundance of combat options make it more accessible to players who might find traditional Soulslikes too punishing (cue Elden Ring critics).
China’s first entry into the AAA gaming market was awaited with high expectations, and Black Myth: Wukong appears to have made a strong impression. It’s still early days, but as more players around the world step into the shoes of the Destined One, a more accurate assessment will emerge on whether the Black Myth series truly has legs for a sequel.
Black Myth: Wukong is now available to play on PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam.
