Game Introduction

Wukong unfolds as follows: In the captivating game world of "Black Myth: Wukong", the player takes on the role of the "Destined One". Driven by an insatiable thirst for uncovering the truth of the bygone legends, this fearless protagonist sets foot on a perilous journey to the west.

Along this treacherous path, the "Destined One" ventures to the familiar yet distinct old places of the Journey to the West. Here, they encounter a multitude of formidable enemies and rivals, engaging in epic battles that know no end until death. Players must not only master the art of staff combat but also deftly utilize a wide array of spells, transformations, talents, weapons, and armors to emerge victorious.
Beyond the heat of battle, players have the opportunity to delve deep into the stories that lie behind each unique character. They can experience the intense emotions of love and hate, the struggles of greed and anger, and discover the mysteries of past lives and present existences. For instance, after a fierce and intense showdown with Guangzhi, the instructor of the wolves on Black Wind Mountain and triumphing over him, players are rewarded with the remarkable transformation ability. This allows them to transform into a menacing werewolf and continue the fight with newfound power.
Throughout the game, players will also come face to face with a diverse cast of fearsome monsters such as the centipede, the Red-bottomed Macaque, Tiger Vanguard, the Moon-obscuring Demon Lord, and the Poisonous Enemy King. Each of these creatures boasts its own distinct characteristics and formidable powers. Some can release deadly poisonous gas, while others possess unique skills that demand strategic thinking and quick reflexes. Players must employ their wisdom and skills to outwit and overcome these challenges.

As the story progresses, the "Destined One" continues to grow and explore on this journey filled with countless challenges and astonishing surprises. Step by step, they gradually peel back the mysterious veil that shrouds the legendary tales of the Journey to the West, uncovering hidden secrets and unearthing the true nature of this epic adventure.

After successfully escorting Tang Sanzang and recovering the Buddhist scriptures, Sun Wukong ascends to Buddhahood, but ultimately rejects immortality, instead choosing to live on his mountain in peace. However, the Celestial Court is angered that Sun Wukong would disobey them, and sends an army led by Erlang to force him to return to the Court. Sun Wukong duels Erlang, but is ultimately defeated and sealed in a stone. However, right before he is sealed, Sun Wukong manages to split his power into six Relics, each one corresponding to one of Wukong's six-senses (the same six-senses of Āyatana, a Buddhist philosophy), that are scattered and hidden all across China.

Over the next few centuries, the Monkeys of Mount Huaguo would send out a number of young warriors to try and recover the Relics so they can revive and free Sun Wukong. One such Monkey (who becomes known as the Destined One) sets out on his quest to find the Relics.

He first heads to the burnt down ruins of Guanyin Temple and recovers the first Relic, Sun Wukong's "eyes", by defeating Black Bear Guai, who apologizes and claims he was forced by the Court to oppose the Destined One.

The Destined One then heads to Yellow Wind Ridge where he defeats the Yellow Wind Sage and recovers the Bodhisattva Lingji's severed head. As thanks, Lingji hands over the second Relic which he had been protecting.

The Destined One continues his journey to the mountains, where he frees Zhu Bajie from imprisonment and they both defeat Yellowbrow. Maitreya then thanks them for defeating Yellowbrow, who had stolen his artifacts as well as the third Relic, and he gives the Relic to the Destined One.

The Destined One and Bajie then arrive at the lair of the Spider Demons to find the fourth Relic, but Bajie is captured by the matriarch, the Violet Spider, who plans to marry and then devour him for having "ruined" her centuries earlier. The Destined One rescues Bajie and battles both the Violet Spider and the Hundred-Eyed Daoist Master, resulting in both of their deaths and the possession of the fourth Relic.

The Destined One and Bajie continue on to the Forest of Embers, where they find Red Boy attempting to steal the fifth Relic from the Bull Demon King. The Destined One defeats Red Boy, who commits suicide to avoid the humiliation of defeat and allowing the Destined One to take possession of the fifth Relic.

With five of the Relics now in their possession, the Destined One and Bajie return to Mount Huaguo to find the sixth and final Relic. On the way, they find that Sun Wukong's old weapons and armour have been hidden around the region, so they decide to recover them before the Court can. They then reach the summit of Mount Huaguo where the Destined One discovers that, as the "Destined One", he himself is the sixth Relic, Sun Wukong's mind, and that his true role is not to revive Sun Wukong per se, but to inherit Sun Wukong's name and powers and become his new incarnation. In order to complete the transmigration transformation, the Destined One is forced to battle Sun Wukong's mindless stone body. Upon the defeat of Sun Wukong's stone body, multiple endings are possible:

• In the default ending, The Destined One fails to inherit Sun Wukong's legacy. He is forced to wear the same circlet that bound Sun Wukong to the Celestial Court and his body remains trapped inside the rock waiting for a new Destined One.
• If the Destined One defeated Erlang in an optional boss fight prior to the final battle, he successfully inherits Sun Wukong's memories and refuses to wear the circlet, preventing himself from being bound to the Celestial Court.

Black Myth: Wukong is an enthralling action role-playing game that burst onto the scene in 2024, brought to life by the talented developers at Game Science. Drawing deep inspiration from the timeless classical Chinese novel Journey to the West, this game follows an endearing anthropomorphic monkey that is masterfully crafted based on the iconic character of Sun Wukong. On August 20, 2024, it made its grand debut on PlayStation 5 and Windows, receiving generally favorable reviews from discerning critics. As of now, the highly anticipated release date for the Xbox Series X/S remains a mystery, leaving fans eagerly awaiting news.

This captivating game is not only an action role-playing masterpiece but also incorporates soulslike elements, offering players a deeply immersive experience. It is played in single-player mode from a dynamic third-person perspective, allowing players to fully engage with the rich world inspired by the classic Journey to the West.
The player takes control of a remarkable monkey protagonist known as the Destined One, a character deeply rooted in the legendary Sun Wukong from the novel. This fearless hero wields a powerful staff that is a remarkable homage to the fabled Ruyi Jingu Bang. During intense battles, this staff showcases an extraordinary ability to extend and shrink in size, adding an element of surprise and versatility. The three distinct staff stances – the smash stance, the pillar stance, and the thrust stance – open up a world of strategic possibilities, providing endless versatility in fights. The combat mechanics are intricate and engaging, involving the careful management of resources. Focus can be gradually accumulated through a variety of means, such as landing precise light attacks, executing well-timed dodges, and employing other clever tactics. Once the focus meter is filled to the brim, a precious focus point is gained. These points can be put to good use, initiating a diverse range of combos that can be chained to light attacks or used to powerfully charge a heavy attack on its own. Meanwhile, stamina depletes with every sprint, dodge, and attack, adding an extra layer of challenge and strategy to the gameplay.

Spells in Black Myth: Wukong are a force to be reckoned with. They are available on cooldown and consume mana. These spells are cleverly categorized into mysticism, alteration, strand, and transformations, each offering unique powers and effects. The protagonist has the remarkable ability to transform and shapeshift into a different creature or being, opening up new strategies and gameplay experiences. For instance, the transformation known as Red Tides takes the form of Guangzhi, a fierce wolfman brandishing a flaming glaive. These transformations come with their own specialized movesets and health pools. They are available on cooldown but do not cost mana. They last until their might is depleted through attacking or until their health runs out.
Spirits are another fascinating aspect of the game. When equipped, spirits provide a valuable skill and passive effect. Spirit skills function as powerful transformations for a single attack. They are available on cooldown and consume qi. Spirits are obtained from certain defeated enemies and can be acquired when they are absorbed into a special gourd. An example of a spirit is the Wandering Wight, who unleashes a forceful headbutt attack.

The game unfolds with a mostly linear progression, yet it is interspersed with expansive areas that beckon players to explore. Along the way, there are keeper's shrines that act as crucial checkpoints for the player. As the protagonist ventures through the world, they encounter a diverse array of menacing yaoguai as enemies. While the game's difficulty cannot be changed by players, it is far from static throughout a playthrough, keeping players on their toes and constantly challenging their skills.

"Black Myth: Wukong" is deeply rooted in Chinese traditional culture, with the following main cultural background elements:

Journey to the West Background: The game's story background is derived from the classic Chinese novel "Journey to the West". This novel is one of the four great classical novels of Chinese literature and is extremely well-known in China. It tells the story of Tang Monk and his disciples' arduous journey to the Western Paradise to obtain Buddhist scriptures. After they successfully retrieved the scriptures, Monkey King (Sun Wukong) was named Fighting Buddha and gradually vanished without a trace. In "Black Myth: Wukong", the player takes on the role of a "destined one" to embark on a journey full of dangers and surprises in order to uncover the truth behind the legendary tale. The game incorporates various elements and characters from "Journey to the West", such as the Monkey King, demons, and immortals, and reinterprets and expands on this classic story.

Mythological Figures and Creatures: It features a rich cast of mythological figures and strange creatures. These include not only the iconic Monkey King with his extraordinary abilities and magical weapons like the "golden cudgel" (jingubang), but also a variety of demons and immortals with their unique appearances and abilities. For example, "yaoguai" (monsters) like the "black bear guai" (blackbearguai), each with their own characteristics and backstories, add to the rich mythological flavor of the game. These figures and creatures are deeply ingrained in Chinese traditional mythology and folklore, and their appearance in the game brings the mythological world to life.

Chinese Cultural Symbols and Landscapes: The game presents a large number of highly restored ancient Chinese buildings, landscapes, and cultural symbols. It showcases the magnificent and realistic Chinese landscapes, such as temples, Taoist statues, and ancient architecture, which not only provide a visually stunning experience but also reflect the profound Chinese architectural culture and artistic conception. For instance, many scenes in the game are set in locations like Shanxi, which is rich in temple landscapes. This allows players to immerse themselves in the unique charm of Chinese traditional culture while experiencing the game.

Cultural Concepts and Values: In addition to the visual and story elements, the game also embodies some traditional Chinese cultural concepts and values. For example, the spirit of adventure, perseverance, and the pursuit of truth and justice that are often reflected in Chinese traditional stories are also manifested in the game's plot and the character's growth and development. These cultural values add depth and meaning to the game, making it not just a simple entertainment product but also a carrier of cultural connotations.

The development process and milestone events of Black Myth: Wukong

2017: Black Myth: Wukong development started.

August 20, 2020: The first 13-minute gameplay demo video was officially released, which immediately became a hit on the Internet. The official Bilibili channel of "Black Myth: Wukong" exceeded 10 million views in less than 24 hours, and the topic reached a high popularity of 80 million on the hot search. This initial demonstration showcased the game's potential and attracted widespread attention and high praise from gamers, game art practitioners, and netizens.

2021: The second gameplay demo video was released as scheduled, showing significant progress in terms of plot, gameplay, and graphics compared to the first video.

March 30, 2021: Tencent completed its investment in the game developer Game Science, obtaining a 5% stake. This investment aimed to provide technical support for the development of "Black Myth: Wukong," considering that the game is based on the "Unreal" engine, and Tencent has experience and technical resources in this area.

August 20, 2024: The game was officially launched globally. It achieved remarkable success, setting a new record for the highest number of concurrent online players on the Steam platform in less than 24 hours, surpassing the records of previous popular games such as "Elden Ring" and "Cyberpunk 2077." The game also received high acclaim from the media and players, with its sales exceeding 4.5 million copies and sales revenue exceeding 1.5 billion yuan on the first day of release.

Black Myth: Wukong Outstanding Performances

On the first day of release, the total global sales exceeded 4.5 million copies. Among them, the sales on the Steam platform exceeded 3 million copies.

The peak number of concurrent online players on the Steam platform of this game exceeded 2.2 million, ranking second in history. The peak number of concurrent online players of "PUBG: Battlegrounds", which ranks first, is 3,257,200.

Enthusiastic response from players:

Stunning visual effects: European players generally highly praise the game's visual effects. Whether it's environmental design or the detailed presentation of characters and enemies, it reflects the deep artistic skills of the development team. Many players say that the game's graphics are a "visual feast". When running on next-generation consoles and high-end PCs, the expressiveness is astonishing. Its picture details and lighting effects are considered one of the best among the games they have played. For example, player Sreeko1 said, "This is the best sand scenery I have ever seen in video games. It's so detailed that it's even a bit excessive."

Unique cultural background: "Journey to the West" is already a super Chinese IP that is popular all over the world. The game is adapted from the experiences of Sun Wukong and successfully combines Chinese traditional culture with modern game design, giving overseas players a reasonable entry point for understanding the game's plot. The uniqueness of its cultural background is very attractive in the European market, especially for those players who are eager to explore different cultures. For example, Bachmann - Ho, a Chinese player who grew up in Berlin, said that "Black Myth: Wukong" allowed him to experience the classic story in a new way. He really likes the adaptation of the story in the game, which makes people feel both familiar and fresh.

Challenging game difficulty: Although the game is quite difficult, most players believe that this kind of challenge is exactly the charm of the game. Its combat rhythm is faster and more aggressive than most similar games. Players need to dodge attacks at the last moment and counterattack immediately. This high-risk, high-reward combat style has extremely high requirements for operation. However, although the game does not have a difficulty adjustment option, players can redistribute skill points at any time to adapt to different combat needs. This to a certain extent increases the flexibility and playability of the game. For example, player Lucas from Berlin said, "I like the challenge of the game. Each boss battle is like a tactical contest. The feeling of rethinking strategies after failure is very fulfilling."

Of course, some players also pointed out that there are some problems in the game, such as the lack of a map which makes it easy to get lost, some checkpoints are not in good positions, and players need to be familiar with "Journey to the West" for the plot. But in general, "Black Myth: Wukong" has received extensive attention and high recognition after its release and is an influential and excellent game work.