I have had my eye on Black Myth: Wukong since the first trailer dropped in 2020. Honestly, it was a refreshing twist from all the mediaeval, western high-fantasy that has plagued modern combat video games. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE the Witcher series (the games, not the TV show), and Ryse: Son of Rome, but honestly, it was so refreshing to see this gritty interpretation of the challis Chinese story, Journey to the West. Ever since I saw it, and heard one of my favourite YouTube video game reviewers, Ranton, hype it up, I have been eagerly anticipating this release. So, does it live up to the hype? Let’s find out!

Black Myth Wukong is an unashamedly Chinese video game, and in a world where Chinese products get a bad rap, this is a masterclass in quality and storytelling. One of the biggest success stories in the history of modern gaming, Black Myth: Wukong shattered previous concurrent user records, surpassing major titles like Elden Ring and PalWorld on Steam. In just three days, the video game sold 10 million copies, thanks in large part to the Chinese playerbase who are incredibly proud of their game, as well they should be!

Anyone expecting Black Myth: Wukong to be more like God of War or Devil May Cry rather than a Soulslike is in for a surprise. Despite some claims that it isn't Soulslike, there is little to distinguish it from other games in the genre. Those who prefer traditional character action games may find it less enjoyable. The video game features several challenging boss fights that will test even experienced Souls fans, although many bosses, including mini-bosses, are relatively easy and can be defeated without much difficulty. However, the harder bosses can act as significant roadblocks, leaving players stuck for hours—something not typical in most character action games. Simply put, if you are not a fan of Soulslikes and the tough challenges they present, you likely won't enjoy Black Myth: Wukong.

It is puzzling why there is a desire to differentiate Black Myth: Wukong from Soulslikes, as the video game clearly draws heavily from FromSoftware's formula. Players progress from shrine to shrine (the game's equivalent of bonfires), defeating enemies for XP and using a gourd with limited uses for healing. The gourd refills at shrines/bonfires, which also replenish health and mana while respawning all enemies in the area. The levels are more linear than in FromSoftware’s games, though they still feature branching paths and shortcuts. The game heavily focuses on difficult boss fights, where players must dodge attacks within the limits of their stamina metre. There are no difficulty options, so mastering the video game as it is remains the only path to success. One notable difference from typical Soulslike games is that Black Myth: Wukong doesn't have a mechanic for retrieving lost XP by returning to the spot where the player died.

Another way Black Myth stands apart from most Soulslikes is that players are limited to essentially one weapon throughout the game: the legendary staff from the Journey to the West novel, which inspired the game. Oh, and the protagonist keeps it in his ear. And this author thought he had aural issues. Despite this, players still need to create a "build" by choosing how to level up the Destined One and where to allocate skill points across different stances. These stances allow for various heavy attacks, which can be executed by filling up the Focus metre. While the lack of weapon variety may impact the game's long-term appeal, the ability to switch between stances keeps the combat somewhat fresh for a while. Fortunately, there is an intriguing element that helps maintain the excitement in Black Myth's battles longer than expected.

Spells play a significant role in Black Myth: Wukong's combat, with players unlocking a range of exciting spells as they progress. Without revealing all the spells, one allows players to immobilise opponents, freezing them briefly and leaving them vulnerable to attacks. Another lets players summon clones of themselves, while a different spell enables temporary transformation into certain enemies, complete with their unique move-sets and health bars. Each spell consumes mana and has a substantial cooldown timer, so using them strategically is essential for overcoming the video game's tougher challenges.

How was the combat? I loved it. It feels like a dance when everything falls into place and you unleash a wave of attacks and strikes. Get ready to mash some buttons for tankier bosses because they will need a lot of firepower, (or should I say stick-power?) to knock down. 

Being familiar with Journey to the West, I came to Black Myth expecting a deep and engaging story, perhaps on par with the Witcher’s own. But alas, in Black Myth, the story is mostly incidental. It serves to move players from one level to the next, introducing various characters from Journey to the West. While there is an overarching narrative, each chapter also has its own individual tale. The dialogue is awkward, and the voice acting is unremarkable. However, most people don't play these types of games for the story. Hardcore Soulslike fans likely won't be bothered by Black Myth's weak narrative, but those expecting something more in line with traditional character action games may be disappointed.

But if you look past this, the level design is remarkable and the music is amazing. All in all, I agree with Steam user Jessica, who rates this game a Monke/10. And that, video game fans, is the highest honour this author can bestow. It can take 71 hours to get the complete ending, so feel free to grab some snacks and mash away at those buttons!