Title: Black Myth: Wukong
Type of Game: Action RPG
Developer: Game Science
Publisher: Game Science
Released: 20.8.2024
Platforms Available: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S (later)
Platform Reviewed: PC
Level of Maturity: Teen
Article Reading Time: 6 minutes

Heads up, gamers! August 20, 2024, is about to get wild. Black Myth: Wukong is finally swinging into action, and boy, is it making a racket. This Chinese mythology-fueled romp has been teasing us for years, and now it’s time to see if it lives up to the hype. We’re still prepping our full review here at WePlayGames.net, but let’s dig into the early buzz.

From Daydream to Phenomenon

Picture this: In 2018, a bunch of starry-eyed devs at Game Science cooked up this crazy idea in Hangzhou. Fast forward to 2020, and their pre-alpha trailer breaks the internet harder than a cat video. Since then? It’s been a roller coaster of hype and hair-pulling anticipation.

Not Your Run-of-the-Mill Hack ‘n’ Slash

Game Science has been yelling themselves that this isn’t a souls-like clone. Guess what? They might be onto something. GameSpot‘s saying it’s got its flavor in the action RPG buffet. You’re playing this monkey dude, the Destined One, straight outta “Journey to the West.” Sounds bonkers? It is.

Now, about that fighting – oh boy. IGN‘s raving about this Focus system that’ll have you pulling off moves smoother than a greased-up eel. Dodge like Muhammad Ali, hit like Mike Tyson, and watch that Focus meter go nuts. Then? Unleash hell. Throw in some shape-shifting shenanigans and magical mumbo-jumbo, and you’ve got a party.

Boss Fights That’ll Melt Your Face

If there’s one thing this game’s nailing, it’s the big bads. GameSpot can’t stop gabbing about these Yaoguai – think mythical nasties that’d give your nightmares nightmares. We’re talking about wolves with flaming bling and dragons that’d make Daenerys jealous. The works. Some folks found these throwdowns a cakewalk, but IGN’s warning that some late-game beasties might have you rage-quitting harder than Dark Souls veterans.

Eye Candy and Ear Worms

Both GameSpot and IGN are losing their minds over how this game looks. It’s so pretty it might make your eyeballs pop. Snow that crunches just right, trees you want to hug, and lighting that’ll make you weep. Game Science went all-in, ditching Unreal Engine 4 for 5 in 2021. Talk about commitment.

And the tunes? Chef’s kiss. We’re talking sweeping scores, battle music that’ll get your blood pumping, and get this – they snagged the theme from the old ’86 “Journey to the West” show. Nostalgia overload, anyone?

Plot Twist: The Story’s a Head-Scratcher

While everyone’s drooling over the pretty pictures and slick moves, the story’s got folks scratching their heads. GameSpot and IGN hint that if you’re not up on your “Journey to the West” lore, you might feel like you’ve stumbled into a foreign film without subtitles. The hero’s got a bad case of the “strong, silent type,” which doesn’t help.

But wait! There’s hope. IGN’s got a soft spot for these artsy chapter-ending bits. Each one’s like a mini-masterpiece, adding some much-needed feels to the monkey business.

Rough Around the Edges

Now for the not-so-great news. IGN’s run into more bugs than a summer picnic – crashes, wonky audio, even some game-breaking nonsense on PC. Here’s hoping for some day-one magic patches.

And the level design? It’s catching some flak. GameSpot mentions you might spend more time lost than Marco Polo without a map. Oh, and invisible walls? They’re everywhere. It’s like playing tag with a mime.

Hype Trains Off the Rails

Despite the hiccups, this game’s got people frothing at the mouth. It’s been sitting pretty as Steam’s most wanted since May, and its benchmark tool drew crowds like free beer at a frat party. It even snagged Best Visuals at Gamescom 2023 before anyone could get their grubby paws on it.

Come D-Day, you can grab it in flavors from no-frills digital to a collector’s edition that’ll have your wallet sobbing. PS5 and PC folks get first dibs, with Xbox Series X/S players left twiddling their thumbs for a bit.

The Lowdown

As we sharpen our critique claws for the full review, it’s clear Black Myth: Wukong is more than just monkey business. It might not be perfect, but it’s dishing out a heaping helping of Chinese mythology with a side of face-melting action that’s got us intrigued. Word on the street is this might kick off a whole series of Chinese legend-inspired games. Color us stoked.

Keep your eyes peeled for our deep dive, which is coming soon once launched on PlayStation 5. Meanwhile, if you’re itching for a fresh action fix with some Eastern zing, you might want to pencil in a date with the Destined One. Just pack some extra patience – this journey might have a few bumps and bruises along the way.

Where to Buy Black Myth: Wukong

Steam (PC): Expected to be available on release. Wishlist it on Steam.

Epic Game Store: Expected to be available on release. Check it out on Epic.

PlayStation Store (PS5): Expected to be available on release. You can find it on the PlayStation Store.

Wegame ( Chinese): Buy Black Myth Wukong on Chinese Store Wegame

Official Page: Visit the official Black Myth: Wukong page for more information.

Subreddit: Join the discussion on the Black Myth: Wukong Subreddit.