The Latest Posts of Black Myth: Wukong

Black Myth: Wukong Walkthrough Table Lists

Defeat Venom Daoist Twice

To unlock the secret area for Chapter 4, you'll need to defeat the Venom Daoist twice in two separate boss battles. The second fight is unlocked at the end of Chapter 4, so make your way through the story first before unlocking the Purple Cloud Mountain area.

Webbed Hollow, Pool of Shattered Jade

How to Get to the Pool of Shattered Jade Shrine

Temple of Yellow Flowers, Court of Illumination

Chapter 4 Secret Area Walkthrough

Valley of Blooms

Bounds of Deity's Abode

Petalfall Hamlet

Cloudnest Peak

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 Walkthrough Table Lists

Foothills Walkthrough

Verdant Path

Rhino Watch Slope

Deer Sight Forest

Mantis-Catching Swamp

Water Curtain Cave

Return Path

Peak of Innocence

Birthstone

Heart of Birthstone

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.

Chinese-made action game Black Myth: Wukong has made a huge splash around the world. As it debuted on Tuesday, it amassed more than 2.2 million concurrent users. This sprawling 3D role-playing game quickly became the second most popular "sandbox" on the US platform Steam within just a few hours, only trailing behind PUBG, the 2017 shooter game that peaked at 3.2 million.

Analysts stated that the runaway success of this game, which is based on the renowned Monkey King character from the 16th-century Chinese novel Journey to the West, demonstrated how China's creative workers can bolster cultural confidence. It also highlighted an alternative approach to advancing China's often "heavily criticized soft power agenda," as one observer put it.

Data provided by industry trackers VG Insights revealed that by Saturday evening in China, the game had sold 10 million units, with 3 million concurrent players across all platforms.

When asked if a gamified Wukong could be considered an "ambassador" for China, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Wednesday that a game seemingly inspired by the Chinese classic indicated "the appeal of Chinese culture." However, she did not address whether this signified any potential "diplomatic gains."

According to Gejun Huang, an assistant professor of media and communications at Xian Jiaotong-Liverpool University, this triple-A premium game is a great soft power vehicle with "immense potential." Huang, whose specialties are the gaming industry, cultural policy, and media entrepreneurship, said, "A new take on Journey to the West shows elevated levels of cultural creativity and innovation, which are often the aspects of China's soft power agenda that are heavily assailed."

Huang stated that the explosive and positive reactions to the game embodied China's promotion of techno-nationalism – the use of technology to project global influence – and complemented its existing cultural endeavors.

However, according to Feng Ji, the founding CEO of Game Science, the low-profile studio behind Wukong and a former game designer at multimedia giant Tencent Holdings, creating a cultural export was not the core aim. Feng told the state news agency Xinhua, "I believe good cultural or content products should first naturally resonate with local cultural groups similar to the creators. If the quality is high enough and endures for a sufficient period, it will naturally spread to the overseas market we're talking about."

Huang added, "Ideally, this game's contingent global popularity could attest to the enhanced persuasiveness of soft power discourses and legitimize a new way of presenting such discourses to a broader global audience."

In an interview with the state-backed newspaper Global Times, Game Science's artistic director Yang Qi said his team traveled across the country to research ancient architecture, including relics, temples, pagodas, and stone carvings before reproducing them in the video game. He described it as a "digital archive" of cultural heritage.

"Undoubtedly, this game will direct public attention to these real-life monuments, especially for the younger generations who often align their cultural identities with 'guochao' (China chic)," said Huang. "On the other hand, there is currently a lack of evidence in China that featuring cultural heritage in games will boost players' offline visits and related consumption."

According to Sheng Zou, who teaches media at the Hong Kong Baptist University, discussions on the diplomatic potential of a cultural product need to focus on a "more expansive notion of soft power."

Zou said, "Much of the discussion on soft power tends to center on nation-states as major actors, but in cases like Wukong, corporate or non-state actors are the driving force." According to Zou, China's media and entertainment sector has witnessed many corporate-led globalization efforts as Beijing seeks a more influential role in world media and culture. "It fits in well with the state's initiative to boost its international communication, as exemplified by the various 'going out' strategies in the media and cultural scene. Domestically, it also helps to strengthen a sense of cultural confidence."

Beijing's "going out" policy, introduced in 2000, encourages its enterprises to invest overseas and increase foreign direct investment.

Zou said, "Non-state actors operating on market logic may have a better chance of winning people's hearts and minds because their cultural influence is more subtle and appealing than things that are more overtly ideological or propagandistic." He noted that Chinese web novels had attracted large global followings, with companies like Dreame and iReader making a name for themselves both within China and abroad. Also, Singer 2024, the hit TV show with top-tier performers from China and abroad participating in weekly sing-offs, has made waves beyond the borders and been hailed by internet users and state-owned media as a global cultural platform.

According to Zou, although Black Myth: Wukong has the potential to inspire more positive impressions of China among a global audience, the change will be "subtle and gradual at best." Some users might simply enjoy the game for reasons other than its Chinese cultural elements, such as the gameplay, mechanics, and player experience.

Black Myth: Wukong - Official 13 Minutes Gameplay Trailer

Black Myth: Wukong | Cinematic Trailer | PS5

Black Myth: Wukong - Final Trailer | Launching August 20, 2024

Black Myth: Wukong Release Date Trailer | Confront Destiny on August 20, 2024 - English Dub

Black Myth: Wukong - Official Unreal Engine 5 Gameplay Trailer

"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.

Black Myth: Wukong, an action role-playing game developed by Chinese studio Game Science, witnessed an overwhelmingly successful launch on August 20, 2024, for PC and PS5. The remarkable sales figures, particularly in China, mirror the continuous industrialization of Chinese game development, the burgeoning global influence of Chinese studios, and the evolving consumer preferences within the country.

Within its first 24 hours, Black Myth: Wukong achieved over 2.2 million peak concurrent users (PCCU) on Steam, making it the most popular single-player game by PCCU in the platform's history and ranking second among all games, trailing only behind PUBG which peaked at 3.2 million.

First announced in August 2020, the game draws deeply from Chinese mythology and is based on the classic novel "Journey to the West," with Sun Wukong, or "The Monkey King," as its protagonist. The high-end graphics, truly transformational gameplay, and strong cultural connection struck a chord with Chinese gamers. The debut trailer amassed over 55 million views on the video platform Bilibili, becoming the most viewed gaming trailer ever on the platform. The initial interest, along with subsequent trailer releases and marketing efforts, led to more than 4 million gamers adding the title to their wishlists on Steam before its launch. It became the most wishlisted game on the platform in early 2024.

The game's outstanding performance in China is mainly due to the continued access to the international version of Steam without the need for a VPN. Over 93% of the 250,000 reviews on Steam are in Simplified Chinese, and an impressive 97% of these reviews are positive. The game's immense popularity in China was further demonstrated when Steam's download bandwidth peaked at 79.3 Tbps on August 20, with Asia accounting for 82% of this, breaking the previous record set on Cyberpunk 2077's launch day in 2020.

The success of the game isn't limited to digital platforms. Physical editions, including collector's and deluxe versions, sold out within seconds on JD.com. More than 700,000 gamers signed up for a chance to purchase the limited set of 30,000 copies. Game Science capitalized on this interest by partnering with brands like Lenovo to ensure their PC hardware is optimized for the game and with Luckin Coffee for on-the-ground activations, including branded merchandise and promotional offers. The buzz around these partnerships led to increased social media chatter leading up to the launch, with 1.7 billion views on Weibo on the launch day. The game was even covered by national news programs in China. The success of Black Myth: Wukong also attracted international media attention. Niko Partners' CEO Lisa Cosmas Hanson spoke to Bloomberg about how Black Myth: Wukong drives PS5 sales and showcases Chinese gamers' appetite for high-quality games.

Niko Partners has been able to track the game's success on Chinese game live streaming platforms using their suite of data tools. According to Niko Partners' China Games & Streaming Tracker, Black Myth: Wukong was the most watched game on Huya, DouYu, and Bilibili on its release day, surpassing other popular titles like League of Legends, Honor of Kings, and Valorant. According to the Niko Index, the game had 29 million viewers across the three platforms on launch day, with Bilibili accounting for around 74% of all viewers. More than $1 million was tipped/donated to streamers playing the game on this day. It was a record-breaking launch for a single-player game on Chinese game live streaming platforms, surpassing Cyberpunk 2077's metrics in 2020. The China Games & Streaming Tracker provides a window into domestic streaming platforms, helping the games industry understand the most popular games, streamers, and overall engagement.

The success of Black Myth: Wukong highlights a significant shift in the global video games landscape for both Chinese and non-Chinese developers. Firstly, the broader implications of this success cannot be ignored. It indicates that Chinese studios are now ready to directly compete with established Western and Japanese developers in the premium AAA space. Game Science's transition from mobile game development to creating a world-class AAA title, supported by heavyweights like Tencent and Hero Games, is a path that many Chinese game developers are increasingly following with growing success. Secondly, the game's popularity reflects the changing consumer preferences in China. According to Niko Partners' 2024 China Gamer Behavior & Market Insights Report, free-to-play games accounted for nearly 90% of total player spending last year, with mobile accounting for 68.7% of total spend and over 90% of players. The lifting of the console ban in 2014, access to the international version of Steam, the shift to digital distribution, increased willingness to pay for content, high-quality single-player and multiplayer game offerings, the requirement for an online connection (which prevents piracy), localized payment methods, and regional pricing have been key drivers of premium game adoption in China. In short, paid games are accounting for a larger share of revenue each year. Games like Overwatch (2016), one of the first successful premium games in China with over 10 million units sold, have shown that Chinese players are willing to pay for premium experiences, and Black Myth: Wukong further cements this trend. Although consoles have historically been a niche in China despite the lifting of the console ban in 2014, the PlayStation 5 is selling twice as fast as its predecessor in the country and has become an established platform alongside the Nintendo Switch. A limited-time deal on the PlayStation 5 this week has led to a surge in sales for the console, further solidifying these changing gamer preferences in the market.

In conclusion, Black Myth: Wukong is not just a one-time success story. It represents the growing capabilities and ambitions of Chinese game development studios and their ability to compete on the global stage. While non-Chinese developers will need to recognize and contend with these new challengers, it also presents an opportunity for collaboration and learning. At the same time, the success of the game as a premium title signals a broader shift in market dynamics within China and offers an opportunity for non-Chinese developers to benefit from geographic expansion and existing AA/AAA offerings.

"Black Myth: Wukong" officially announced that its sales across all platforms have exceeded 10 million copies. (Statistics as of 21:00 on August 23, 2024, Beijing time), and the peak number of concurrent users across all platforms exceeds 3 million.

The official post said: "Sincerely thank global players for their support and love! With all the destined ones a happy weekend of gaming!"

In addition, game producer Yocar-Feng Ji also posted: "Soon, very unexpected, very high, and also very respect~ This mountain, relying on me and a few old brothers, may be able to climb 300 meters, but definitely, absolutely cannot reach the current height. In the past six years, behind me are the unremitting efforts of all colleagues and partners of Game Science, the almost blind trust and never-fading encouragement of players, and it is also relying on the prosperity, stability, tolerance and foresight of the motherland. Although the road has just begun, but tonight is worth a good rest. Cheers, open a bottle of champagne, for 'Black Myth: Wukong', for Game Science, and for yourselves."

Yang Qi, co-founder and art director of Game Science, also posted that when he was fiercely battling against the Golden Dragon in Thunder Monastery and was about to use a new Shijing transformation build to continue the battle after falling three times, he was suddenly informed by the operation staff that the sales of "Black Myth: Wukong" on all platforms had increased sharply in the past two days and had actually exceeded 10 million copies.

Yang Qi said he was a bit stunned for a moment, feeling that making games is one of the few pleasures in life, but unexpectedly receiving such great love, he is truly terrified and apprehensive. And he mentioned that "all the difficulties and obstacles along the way are not worth mentioning. After successfully getting off the turtle's back, I will go and watch the bug compilation."

According to well-known analyst Daniel Ahmad, this makes "Black Myth" one of the fastest-selling games in history, even surpassing "Elden Ring" and "Hogwarts Legacy" in the same period.

According to statistics, "Elden Ring" sold 12 million copies in nearly 20 days after its release. At the beginning of 2023, "Hogwarts Legacy" sold more than 12 million copies within two weeks after its release. "Grand Theft Auto V" generated more than 815 million US dollars in revenue within 24 hours, equivalent to 11.21 million game sales.

Goldman Sachs said that using a conservative conversion ratio of 7 times (from Steam PCCU to PC sales conversion), under the benchmark scenario, "Black Myth: Wukong" sold more than 12 million copies on Steam, generating more than 3 billion yuan in revenue. Under an optimistic scenario, it may sell 20 million copies and generate more than 5 billion yuan in revenue. This does not include sales on WeGame and PlayStation platforms.

The reason why Goldman Sachs calls "Black Myth: Wukong" a turning point in China's PC/console game industry is that: This is the first time that Chinese developers have obtained such a high PCCU ranking on the Steam platform (peak number of concurrent users). "Black Myth: Wukong" ranks third in PCCU on Steam, surpassing large popular games like "Cyberpunk 2077" and "Baldur's Gate 3".