Welcome to the party, Wukong.
For the first time in a while, a game developed in China has taken the gaming world by storm. Naturally, this has sparked all sorts of controversies.
Black Myth: Wukong has arrived, offering incredible combat, though not without a few bugs.
This game is an impressive milestone in the gaming industry. Set against the rich backdrop of Chinese culture, it draws inspiration from the classic novel Journey to the West by Wu Cheng’en. Developed by Game Science, a Chinese gaming company founded by former Tencent designer Feng Ji in Shenzhen, the game has already made history.
Black Myth: Wukong has become the most played single-player game in Steam’s history, with a peak concurrency of an astounding 2 million players. That’s insane.
The game took six years to develop, and it’s arguably the biggest thing we’ve seen in gaming to date.
Wukong, the protagonist, is a monkey character directly from Cheng’en’s novel. The game is steeped in Chinese mythology and folklore, offering an experience that’s both mystical and deeply rooted in its cultural heritage. As Sun Wukong (the Monkey King), players embark on a journey filled with wild action, stunning visuals, and incredible views. Along the way, you’ll encounter powerful enemies, ancient gods, and mythical creatures. The game masterfully blends intense combat, intricate storytelling, and breathtaking visuals to bring this legendary tale to life.
The combat system is one of the game’s standout features, offering fluid and dynamic action that challenges players to master a variety of skills and transformations. Wukong’s ability to shift between different forms adds layers of strategy to battles, allowing for creative approaches to defeating enemies. Each encounter feels epic, with the game’s seamless blend of traditional martial arts and fantastical abilities creating a combat experience that is both satisfying and visually spectacular.
But it’s not just about the battles. The game also excels in world-building, immersing players in a beautifully crafted environment that feels alive with history and myth. From the lush forests and towering mountains to the eerie temples and ancient ruins, every location in Black Myth: Wukong is a visual masterpiece. The attention to detail extends to the sound design as well, with a soundtrack that perfectly complements the game’s atmosphere and adds depth to the storytelling.
Graphics
Using cutting-edge technology, Game Science has crafted a visually stunning world that’s both mythical and grounded in reality. From lush forests to ancient temples, the meticulous details contribute to a hyper-immersive experience. Elements like fire and magic further enhance the combat scenes, making them even more thrilling and visually spectacular.
Another dramatic turn in the Wukong was that Chinese studio Game Science told gamers not to talk politics during game play.
This, of course, backfired, with many gamers intentionally dissing out heaping doses of politics. Specifically, streamers were told to not “include politics, violence, nudity, feminist propaganda, fetishization, and other content that instigates negative discourse” in their content, nor “use trigger words such as ‘quarantine’ or ‘isolation’ or ‘Covid-19′.”
Streamers immediately pushed back, instead doing exactly the opposite. It was, in a way, sending a message to the Chinese company that they won’t follow those sorts of rules.
Black Myth: Wukong isn’t just a game; it’s a celebration of Chinese culture and storytelling, brought to life with cutting-edge technology and a deep respect for its source material. Despite a few technical hiccups, it’s a must-play for anyone interested in action games, mythology, or simply experiencing one of the most visually stunning games of our time. This game is a testament to the global reach and potential of Chinese-developed games, and it sets a new standard for what can be achieved in the industry.