Black Myth: Wukong has been highly anticipated for several years, and now that it’s in the hands of critics, the reviews are starting to roll in. The third-person action RPG boasts impressive visuals and cool boss designs, but seems to fall short in other areas such as bugs, easy gameplay, and repetitive combat.
Development and Hype
Originally announced in 2020 with a visually stunning gameplay trailer, Black Myth: Wukong quickly gained attention for its slick combat and gorgeous graphics. However, a report by IGN in 2023 shed light on some concerning behavior by top individuals at Game Science, the studio behind the game. Despite this, the game continued to build hype and has become one of the most anticipated PS5 games of 2024.
It is worth noting that no outlets received the console version of the game for review, leading to some speculation about the potential quality of the PS5 version. Despite this, critics who reviewed the PC version have shared their thoughts on the game’s strengths and weaknesses.
Critical Reception
God Is A Geek praised Black Myth: Wukong as a fantastic video game and a remarkable achievement from an indie studio. The game seamlessly integrates Soulslike elements into a fresh and original experience, with stunning visuals and exceptional music. PC Gamer also commended the game for its joyful treatment of its world and characters, highlighting the punchy combat and engaging gameplay.
On the other hand, RPG Site expressed mixed feelings about the game, noting that while the story wrapped up satisfactorily, there were lingering frustrations throughout the journey. The Sixth Axis echoed similar sentiments, describing the game as visually stunning but lacking in exploration and uninspiring combat.
IGN commended GameScience’s debut action game for its fantastic combat mechanics, exciting boss battles, and visually captivating world, despite some technical issues and localization problems. GamesRadar enjoyed the game initially but found recurring annoyances and drawn-out sections to be wearing down the experience. GameSpot highlighted the game’s focus on boss battles, noting that while combat and boss fights were satisfying, the moments in between could feel tedious.
Gamerant pointed out that Black Myth: Wukong may not be the best in the Soulslike genre but still offers a decent experience for fans. The game provides around 30 hours of gameplay with a variety of side content to explore, though some players may grow weary of the limited combat options.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Black Myth: Wukong has garnered mixed reviews from critics, with praise for its visuals, combat mechanics, and boss battles, but criticism for its bugs, easy gameplay, and repetitive combat. While some find the game to be a stunning achievement with a fresh take on the action RPG genre, others feel that it falls short in certain areas, leading to a somewhat polarizing reception. Ultimately, whether Black Myth: Wukong lives up to the hype will depend on individual preferences and expectations.
