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- Black Myth: Wukong is an action game combined with Souls-like elements.
- Despite being inspired by Journey To The West, it features an almost original story that could be considered a sequel to the original.
- Due to its fast-paced gameplay, easier combat, and story presentation, Black Myth: Wukong appeals to more players and stands out from typical Souls-likes.
Black Myth: Wukong is the talk of the town for now, and rightfully so. The game has been hyped up for years due to its unique take on the action genre and its story that revolves around Sun Wukong, a character based on Chinese myth that has inspired countless other fictional characters.
Developed by Game Science, Black Myth: Wukong is the studio’s first console/PC title, and it has already become the most-played single-player title on Steam. After 200K reviews, the action RPG is still rated 10/10.
While Black Myth: Wukong isn’t a genre-defining game and may initially appear to be yet another Souls-like, the truth is a bit different. Game Science has created an action game that plays more like a God of War or Nier spin-off but with the DNA of a Souls-like.
Why it matters: This blend has proven to be much more successful than anticipated, and it might inspire other studios to follow suit.
Perfect Balance Between Gameplay And Storytelling
Black Myth: Wukong is based on Chinese mythology and adapts Journey To The West during its 40-hour runtime, which is one of the most influential storylines in Chinese mythology. Even Goku from Dragon Ball is entirely based on Sun Wukong’s character.
While the game doesn’t completely adapt the novel’s storyline, it does feel more like a sequel. It features some of the characters from the original novel but also introduces newer ones based on Eastern mythology.
The cinematics match God of War 2018’s quality and intensity. Moreover, the story is divided into multiple chapters, each highlighting different natures, such as Greed, Prejudice, Evil Intentions, and Love.
The game’s storytelling may sometimes become complex because many people outside of Asia are unfamiliar with Sun Wukong’s character. However, the story is one of a kind and expands even further from the novels.
Straying away from the narrative, Black Myth: Wukong’s gameplay is phenomenal, and there is no doubt about it. The combat is fast-paced, and the boss battles present various foes that beautifully portray Chinese mythology.
What’s interesting is that Game Science never prioritizes one element over the other. The story is given just as much attention as the gameplay.
Why Black Myth: Wukong Isn’t A Souls-Like
The Souls-like sub-genre is relatively new and has caused a lot of confusion within the community. It seems nobody quite understands what a Souls-like actually is.
Some may say that elements like a stamina meter are indicative of a Souls-like, while others say that heavy and light attacks bound to shoulder buttons are the starting points for a Souls-like.
One might even consider a game with difficult bosses a Souls-like, but these mechanics have been around for many years.
Souls-like games are focused on dodging, and the main character is heavily underpowered, with even smaller enemies doing tons of damage. Enemies in Black Myth: Wukong barely pose a threat, and you don’t even lose experience upon dying.
These things alone are enough to take the title further away from the concept of a Souls-like. The stamina bar is also not nearly as important since you hardly run out of stamina once enough upgrades are made. While they may look intimidating, boss battles aren’t even that tough.
All in all, the gameplay loop resembles that of an action RPG, as Game Science said. The Souls-like elements are an added bonus.
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[News Reporter]
Shaheer is currently pursuing a Business degree while also working as a part-time Content Writer. With his deep passion for both writing and video games, he has seamlessly transitioned into a role as a Journalist. Over the past two years, Shaheer has contributed as a freelancer to various websites and landed positions on acclaimed platforms like Gamerant. Currently, his role at Tech4gamers is as a Features Writer, but he also covers News occasionally. Shaheer’s favorite gaming franchises are Assassin’s Creed and the God of War series.
Get In Touch: shaheer@tech4gamers.com
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