Black Myth: Wukong – Review – Epic and engaging!

From the moment Black Myth: Wukong was revealed to the world, it captured my attention in a way few games can. I confess that I was anxious to see if all the hype generated by the initial trailers, which featured jaw-dropping graphics and fluid combat, would really be justified. Now, after spending hours and hours immersed in the role of the Predestined, traveling through forests, temples and deserts full of challenges, I can finally say that Black Myth: Wukong is not just a game, but an epic experience that brings back the grandeur of Chinese mythology, at the same time while bringing unique innovations and challenges to the action RPG genre.

Black Myth: Wukong is based on the classic work of Chinese literature “Journey to the West”, a story that has already inspired countless adaptations in different media, from anime to films and games. However, what sets Black Myth: Wukong apart is its unique approach and the painstaking care studio Game Science took in bringing this legendary tale to life. The game puts us in the shoes of the Fated One, a mysterious monkey who, as he progresses on his journey, finds himself increasingly involved in the search for answers about his own past and his relationship with the legend of the Monkey King, Sun Wukong.

From the moment I took control of the Fated, I was impressed by the richness of the visual details and the fluidity of the movements. Black Myth: Wukong gave me the feeling of taking part in an epic story, where every step was accompanied by stunning landscapes and challenging enemies. The structure of the game, divided into chapters, each with its own setting and story, contributes to the feeling of being on a true journey, with moments of high tension followed by moments of contemplation and exploration.

Mechanics and Gameplay: A dance of precision and power

When it comes to combat mechanics and gameplay, Black Myth: Wukong stands out for presenting a system that, although reminiscent of games in the Soulslike genre, has its own unique identity. Combat is fast-paced, requiring sharp reflexes and a deep understanding of enemies’ attack patterns. As the Fated, you have at your disposal a set of impressive abilities, ranging from the use of a magical staff that can extend and shrink at will, to the ability to transform into previously defeated enemies, taking on their abilities and weapons.

The combat system is built around combos and the management of resources such as Focus and Mana. Light attacks help accumulate Focus points, which can be spent on devastating heavy attacks. These heavy attacks are the key to defeating the most powerful enemies, especially the bosses, which require you to know the timing of your attacks well and be ready to dodge at the right moment. Furthermore, spells such as the ability to immobilize enemies or create clones of yourself to distract opponents are essential tools for surviving the most challenging encounters.

One of my favorite mechanics was transformation. Defeating a powerful enemy and gaining the ability to transform into him to use his techniques against other opponents is extremely rewarding. This adds an extra layer of strategy to the game, as you need to decide when and how to use these transformations, which have a limited duration and offer a new life bar, serving as a second chance in more intense combats.

However, not everything is perfect. In some battles, I felt like the hitboxes weren’t as accurate as they should be, resulting in frustrating moments where my strikes simply didn’t hit the target. Additionally, the fact that there isn’t a wide variety of weapons or builds to try out could be a downside for those who enjoy customization in RPG games. However, these flaws fail to eclipse the overall satisfaction provided by the combat system.

Graphics: A visual spectacle

If there’s one thing that Black Myth: Wukong does masterfully, it’s visually impress. Each scenario I explored was a true spectacle, with a wealth of details that I have rarely seen in a game. From the dense forests where sunlight filters through the leaves, to the snow-capped mountains that stretch as far as the eye can see, the world of Black Myth: Wukong is incredibly immersive.

Game Science’s work with Unreal Engine 5 is something that deserves applause. The character animations, both the protagonist and the enemies, are fluid and full of personality. Attention to detail is evident in every element of the game, from the textures of the environments to the movement of the Fated One’s fur. At several moments, I stopped what I was doing just to contemplate the beauty of the landscapes around me.

But it’s not just the environments that impress. The character and creature models, especially the bosses, are incredibly detailed and diverse. Each new boss encounter is a unique visual experience, with creatures ranging from traditional Chinese dragons to monsters that look like they came straight out of nightmares.

The visual effects of skills and spells are also spectacular, with explosions of light and energy that give each combat a real show. And there are also special moments, such as the stylized animations that appear at the end of each chapter, which use techniques such as anime and stop-motion to tell secondary stories. These moments are so impressive that they are often the highlights of the chapter, bringing a new artistic perspective to the game.

Sound: Ultra immersive music and sound design

The sonic experience of Black Myth: Wukong is as rich as its visuals. The soundtrack, which mixes traditional Chinese instruments with modern arrangements, is simply fantastic. Each area has its own theme song, which not only complements the ambiance but also intensifies the immersion. During the more intense fights, the music becomes more dynamic, with rhythmic drums and chants that make your heart race along with the action on screen.

The sound design is also worth highlighting. The sound of blows, the impact of transformations, the roar of bosses, and even subtler sounds like the rustle of leaves beneath your feet are all executed with a quality that contributes significantly to immersion. The character voices, especially when played with Chinese voice acting, bring an authentic cultural flavor to the experience, even if sometimes the English or Chinese lines mix inconsistently due to some bugs.

However, it is worth mentioning that the game suffers from some technical problems related to sound. At some crucial moments, such as during important cutscenes, I experienced audio drops, which can break immersion and make it difficult to understand the narrative. These issues are frustrating, especially in a game that invests so much in its atmosphere.

Fun: A challenging and rewarding adventure

Despite some stumbles, Black Myth: Wukong is, at its core, extremely fun. The challenge offered by combat, the satisfaction of defeating a boss after several attempts and exploring a world so rich and full of secrets make this game a highly rewarding experience. Each chapter brings new enemies, scenarios and mechanics that keep the experience fresh, preventing the game from falling into repetition.

The focus on bosses, which initially worried me, ended up being one of the game’s strongest points. Each battle is unique and requires you to use every tool at your disposal. The diversity of bosses and the complexity of their attack patterns ensure that you never feel bored or overwhelmed by repetition. The introduction of new gameplay elements, such as transformations and spells, also keeps the experience dynamic and interesting.

However, the moments between bosses can sometimes feel a little directionless. Exploration, although visually impressive, can become frustrating due to level design that is not always intuitive. The scenarios are great, but the lack of a map or clear directions can lead to excessive backtracking and moments of unnecessary confusion.

Performance and Optimization: A technical challenge

Unfortunately, not everything is rosy when it comes to the performance of Black Myth: Wukong. Despite being a visually stunning game, it is very demanding on the hardware, and even on a high-end PC, like one with a GeForce RTX 4090, I encountered several technical issues. Framerate drops were common, especially in areas with a lot of fire or particle effects, which can be a serious problem in a game that requires precision and perfect timing in combat.

Additionally, I experienced several crashes throughout the game, which is always a big negative, especially when it occurs right after defeating a difficult boss. These crashes and other technical bugs, like falling through the floor or losing audio sync during important cutscenes, mar the experience and are clear signs that the game could have benefited from more polishing time before release.

Despite these issues, it’s important to note that the game is generally playable and a lot of fun, but these technical setbacks prevent it from reaching its full potential. I sincerely hope that Game Science releases patches to fix these issues, because Black Myth: Wukong has the potential to be a masterpiece if these issues are resolved.

Conclusion: A memorable experience with some flaws

Black Myth: Wukong is a game that fulfills most of the promises made since its announcement. It offers an epic action experience, with intense combat, a visually stunning world, and a deep immersion into Chinese mythology. However, it is not without flaws. Technical issues such as framerate drops, crashes and audio bugs, along with a level design that can be confusing, prevent the game from reaching perfection.

Despite this, I recommend Black Myth: Wukong to any fan of action RPGs looking for a unique and challenging experience. The game has a lot to offer, and its strengths far outweigh its shortcomings. With some technical improvements, Black Myth: Wukong has the potential to become one of the great classics of the genre.

Positive Points:

• Spectacular and immersive graphics.
• Fluid and satisfying combat, with unique mechanics.
• Faithful and creative adaptation of Chinese mythology.
• Challenging and varied boss fights.
• High quality soundtrack and sound design.

Negative Points:

• Technical issues, including crashes and framerate drops.
• Level design can be confusing and frustrating.
• Audio bugs during important cutscenes.
• Lack of variety in weapons and builds.

Rating:
Graphics: 10.0
Fun: 10.0
Gameplay: 9.0
Sound: 9.0
Performance and Optimization: 7.0
FINAL RATING: 9.0 / 10.0