Black Myth: Wukong Review from a Japanese Gamer's Perspective
An exhilarating action game with superb combat, thrilling bosses, and a few too many glitches.
As a Japanese gamer, I’ve never experienced such a mix of awe and frustration as I have with Black Myth: Wukong. It’s undeniably one of the most ambitious action games I’ve encountered, with stunning visuals, fantastic combat, and a challenging yet gratifying experience. The game’s setting is a refreshing departure from the norm, deeply rooted in the rich tapestry of Chinese culture. However, it often feels like the game is barely keeping everything together. Numerous PC crashes (I didn’t have the chance to test the PlayStation 5 version for this review), falling through the game world at critical moments, and technical hiccups with language and audio during key scenes detract from what is otherwise an incredible journey. It’s a bumpy ride, but one where the destination is worth the effort.
The story of Black Myth: Wukong builds upon the classic “Journey to the West” by Wu Cheng’en, which I’m familiar with mostly through adaptations like Dragon Ball. However, the game’s narrative is filled with references that assume a deeper knowledge of the source material, leaving me searching online to understand the intricacies of Sun Wukong’s tale and the significance of various encounters.
Playing as the Destined One, a literal monkey on a quest to find the six relics of Wukong, the storytelling is somewhat lackluster due to a mute protagonist and underdeveloped side characters. Yet, each chapter is capped with a beautifully animated vignette that tells a poignant short story about the chapter’s main antagonist, presented in a variety of art styles that are a visual treat.
Initially, I thought Black Myth: Wukong would be a soulslike game, but it has more in common with traditional action games. The absence of typical soulslike mechanics—no death penalties beyond respawning, no shared currency for leveling or purchases, and a more straightforward approach to gear upgrades—makes Wukong more accessible and focused on action.
Combat is both simple and elegant, with a focus on reflexes and resource management using a Focus Meter. Spells and abilities add depth to the combat, and the variety of options available, including transformations and Spirit Skills, make for a rich and engaging experience. The boss fights are where the game truly shines, but the enemy variety and level design also deserve praise.
Despite its beauty, Wukong could benefit from a map to aid in navigation, as the large, secret-filled worlds can be daunting to explore. The game’s grandeur and detail come at a cost, with crashes and technical issues detracting from the experience. Localization and audio problems, such as missing subtitles and mismatched lip-sync, also need addressing.
In conclusion, Black Myth: Wukong is a fantastic action game from GameScience that, despite technical and localization issues, offers a thrilling combat system, engaging boss battles, and a visually stunning world. With some polish, it could become an even greater game.