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Black Myth: Wukong – A Game That Exceeds All Expectations

How the Full Version Surpassed All the Demos and Playtests

If you've followed my previous reports on Black Myth: Wukong, you know I’ve always been cautious, even when the market was most optimistic. I didn’t want to join the chorus of celebration before the actual product was released. After all, no matter how impressive a demo or a hands-on experience might be, they aren’t always reflective of the final game.

However, after spending countless hours playing the full version of Black Myth: Wukong—thanks to an invitation from the Game Science team—I realized my previous concerns were completely unfounded. This game is not fragile at all; in fact, it’s remarkably robust.

Surpassing Expectations: The Quality of the Full Game

It's almost laughable now, but we once debated whether the final game could truly match the quality seen in its videos and playtests. The actual content of the game far exceeds anything previously showcased. For instance, while the first level, Heifeng Mountain, may seem representative of the game's design, it is actually just the baseline. Subsequent levels are two to three times larger and more complex, if not more.

Take the second level, Huangfeng Ridge, for example. It’s entirely possible for players to complete the level and then realize they’ve missed exploring an entire area.

Gameplay Screenshot

A Deeper Exploration: Hidden Elements and Non-Linear Design

In earlier reports, I mentioned that the levels lacked exploratory value, with most paths eventually converging on a single route. However, in the later levels, almost every section contains hidden elements that are increasingly difficult to discover. Retracing your steps is inevitable, and even with my intent to collect everything, I still missed many items—whether they were resources, boss fights, or special quests. There’s even an NPC in one level that I still haven't figured out how to unlock.

Hidden Creature

For instance, behind the Tiger Vanguard in the second level lies a mechanism that requires a specific key to open, revealing the entrance to a hidden chamber.

Key and Chamber

Innovative Gameplay Mechanics: Flexibility in Play Style

One of the most criticized features, the Golden Cicada scout, actually becomes much more versatile in later levels. Players can obtain a tool that allows them to transform at will, enabling complete stealth or speed runs. You can even skip large segments of combat, transform back to human form to collect treasure, and then transform again to continue without fighting.

The level structures also vary significantly. The third level ascends, while the fourth descends. Due to confidentiality agreements, I can’t go into further detail, but the richness of the levels, the joy of exploration, and the motivation provided by the game are all far beyond my initial expectations.

Not Perfect, But Still Impressive

Of course, it’s important to note that the level design doesn’t quite reach the intricate polish of the Souls series. The game is more chapter-based rather than fully interconnected. The design doesn’t strive for the seamless precision of Souls games but focuses more on narrative and atmosphere. However, what has been achieved already far exceeds my expectations.

Cinematic Cutscene

A Narrative Experience on Par with the Best

The game’s story presentation also surprised me. I initially thought it would simply be more detailed than Souls games, but the scale, length, and frequency of the narrative elements are clearly aimed at matching the God of War series. The trailers might have misled some into thinking the narrative would be cryptic, full of enigmatic characters, but the actual experience is anything but. The story is crystal clear, even if you’re not deeply familiar with Journey to the West.

What truly sets Black Myth: Wukong apart from other major titles is its strong cultural essence. This isn’t just about “cultural export” but a deep, heartfelt narrative that resonates with the human condition—combining mythology with real-world themes and human emotions.

Cultural Essence

A Rich and Satisfying Experience

It’s no exaggeration to say that at the end of each chapter, I felt as if the game had created a moment of reflection—like a storyteller finishing a tale, leaving the audience in awe.

As for the game’s length, due to confidentiality, I can’t provide specific numbers. However, even without full exploration and with minimal setbacks, I only managed to complete slightly over half of the game in more than twenty hours. I often found myself questioning, “Wait, this isn’t the final boss?”

Every level consistently introduces new surprises—things that hadn’t appeared in previous levels.

Gameplay Mechanics

A Complete Journey Through 81 Challenges

In my previous speculation, I thought it would take a trilogy to cover all 81 challenges from Journey to the West, but Black Myth: Wukong tackles them all in one go. Of course, not every challenge or monster from the original story appears, but the narrative is so complete that I’m left wondering if the next game will still follow Journey to the West.

You might ask about combat, progression, and gameplay systems. But honestly, these elements played out exactly as I anticipated. The combat feels great, and the progression system adds variety without altering the core combat logic.

Combat

Conclusion: A Game Worth the Hype

In conclusion, I no longer worry that Black Myth: Wukong might fall short of expectations. This game lives up to the four years of anticipation and earns the admiration of its peers. Now, I’m genuinely curious—how much success will Black Myth: Wukong achieve? And how will it impact the domestic industry? What’s the next chapter in the story of Chinese gaming?

black myth: wukong