2024 will mark the return of Top Spin 2K25, but it will also see the release of Black Myth Wukong on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series on August 20th. This release aims to address doubts from skeptics who questioned whether China would deliver another unfulfilled project. With its upcoming arrival and NVIDIA’s announcement of Full Ray Tracing for the game with DLSS 3.5, it is time to assess the game’s potential as a new benchmark in Soulslike games and to view new gameplay sequences. The story of Sun Wukong, familiar to many through Akira Toriyama’s Son Goku, is showcased in this PlayersForLife video.
China, along with other Asian countries such as Malaysia, has long provided behind-the-scenes support for Western and Japanese studios. However, the country now aims to demonstrate its capability to create high-quality AAA games that can compete on a global scale. This ambition is evident in the game’s visual quality. Despite being nearly four years since its initial announcement, Black Myth Wukong continues to impress visually. The game was initially developed using Unreal Engine 4 but quickly transitioned to Unreal Engine 5 upon its release. Game Science studio has incorporated the latest NVIDIA technologies, supporting full ray tracing via DLSS 3.5 for those with high-end PC hardware. The environments, characters, creatures, lighting, attention to detail, and shadow projections in Black Myth Wukong are truly captivating. The richness of the landscapes, enhanced by minute particles, clearly positions this game as visually next-generation. Given that many PS5 and Xbox Series games fall short of their hardware potential, such observations arise. The visual beauty of Black Myth Wukong is undeniable, and it may require the latest PC technologies to experience it optimally.
Will China ever catch up?
With this game, China will be able to showcase its technical expertise on the international stage. An appropriate way to do so would be by choosing the story of Sun Wukong, a hero from one of the greatest tales in Chinese literature, “Journey to the West.” This work has inspired Akira Toriyama’s “Dragon Ball,” with elements such as the boy with a monkey tail, the magical flying cloud, the staff that can shrink and grow, the pig-headed companion who loves women, and the protective dragon. One factor contributing to Black Myth: Wukong generating buzz upon its reveal is its classification as a Souls-like game. The genre has gained popularity over recent years, particularly after the unexpected success of “Elden Ring,” which sold 23 million copies, comparable to titles like “Call of Duty.”
Could Black Myth Wukong become a new benchmark for Souls-like games? According to several media outlets that have played it, the game holds significant promise and has substantial potential to compete with titles from FromSoftware. In fact, when comparing it to specific titles, Black Myth Wukong is more similar to Sekiro and Bloodborne than Dark Souls or Elden Ring, largely due to its gameplay mechanics and the absence of block or parry actions against enemy attacks. The game’s core玩法围绕着闪避和分析敌人模式，特别是BOSS的攻击模式，以躲避他们闪电般的攻击。游戏中会有短暂的电影时刻，孙悟空会预先计算出一次格挡的机会，为战斗增添了一些风采。为了避开敌人的攻击，玩家必须通过翻滚来侧面规避、跳跃获取高度或逃跑。值得注意的是，完美时机的闪避会在孙悟空身后留下一个剪影。—请注意，根据要求仅对给定段落进行重写，不包括额外的内容或者解释：Black Myth Wukong could establish itself as a new standard for Souls-like games. Based on reports from media outlets that have experienced the game firsthand, it demonstrates significant potential to rival titles from FromSoftware. In comparison to specific games, Black Myth Wukong shares more similarities with Sekiro and Bloodborne than Dark Souls or Elden Ring, primarily due to its gameplay mechanics, which do not include block or parry actions against enemy attacks. The game’s core玩法围绕着闪避和分析敌人模式，特别是BOSS的攻击模式，以躲避他们闪电般的攻击。在游戏中会有短暂的电影时刻，孙悟空会预先计算出一次格挡的机会，为战斗增添了一些风采。为了避开敌人的攻击，玩家必须通过翻滚来侧面规避、跳跃获取高度或逃跑。值得注意的是，完美时机的闪避会在孙悟空身后留下一个剪影。
It Satisfies Me
Black Myth Wukong will stand out through the three stances Sun Wukong can utilize, offering access to specific attacks. In essence, beyond basic light and heavy attacks, players can switch at any time between three attack positions: Smash Form, Pillar Form, and Thrust Form. This variability allows for diverse combos, enhanced by the option to cast magic spells to boost abilities or weaken enemies. Known magical effects include Immobilization, Stone Solid, Ring of Fire, and The Pluck of Many. Additionally, Sun Wukong can transform, as depicted in the tale, into a slim-bladed wolf or summon a venomous creature. The goal is to provide a new move set for the character, further diversifying gameplay.
I eagerly anticipate Black Myth Wukong, particularly for its bestiary, enemies, monsters, and bosses. From what I have seen so far, Game Science has demonstrated skill in artistic direction and reinventing a tale through visuals without disappointment. It will be refreshing to experience Sun Wukong’s story with a modern yet traditional narrative perspective. I anticipate the game will provide a compelling narration, introducing key characters, embarking on journeys, and offering adventure and discovery sequences between boss fights. The concept also involves traversing Ancient China by foot or via magical cloud, discovering unexpected locales. Given that this is set in China, with its mountains and breathtaking landscapes, considerable verticality is expected. In any case, it is clearly one of the three games we eagerly anticipate for 2024, alongside Top Spin 2K25 and The Last Night, and naturally, we hope it meets our expectations.
Since its announcement in August 2020, Black Myth Wukong has garnered significant attention. Not only does its aesthetic inspire admiration, promising next-generation graphics of the highest quality, but it also holds considerable importance for Game Science studio and China, a country aspiring to showcase its capacity to produce high-quality AAA games. By choosing the Souls-like genre, developers aim to establish their unique vision, positioning themselves among top-tier gamers. Situated between Dark Souls and Sekiro, Black Myth Wukong is expected to offer challenging gameplay while narrating the story of Sun Wukong, a revered hero in China known as the protagonist of the literary classic Journey to the West, which also inspired Akira Toriyama’s creation of Dragon Ball. Expectations are high, and it is hoped that Game Science has successfully integrated all these elements to create a game that will be notable in 2024. It is clear that Black Myth Wukong is among the top three games anticipated for this year.
