Immersing into Black Myth: Wukong's Gripping Gameplay

Black Myth: Wukong: Early Access Reviews and Controversy

After a four-year wait since its 2020 announcement, Black Myth: Wukong is finally here (at least, on PC). Initial reviews are largely positive, with the game boasting an 82 Metascore on Metacritic based on 54 critic reviews.

The consensus points to exceptional action gameplay. Reviewers praise the precise and engaging combat, complemented by stunning boss fights. The game's visually impressive world, rich with secrets, also earns high marks. Many reviewers highlight the game's successful integration of Chinese mythology, specifically the Journey to the West tale of Sun Wukong. GamesRadar+, for instance, describes it as "a fun action RPG that feels like a modern God of War game filtered through Chinese mythology."

However, some criticisms emerge. PCGamesN, while considering it a potential Game of the Year contender, notes subpar level design, difficulty spikes, and occasional technical glitches. A common complaint across reviews is the disjointed narrative, similar to older FromSoftware titles, requiring players to piece together the story through item descriptions. Importantly, all early access reviews are for the PC version; console performance remains unreviewed.

Adding to the buzz, reports surfaced of controversial guidelines issued by a co-publisher to streamers and reviewers. These guidelines allegedly restricted discussion of topics like violence, nudity, feminist themes, and anything deemed to promote negative discourse. This has sparked significant debate, with some criticizing the guidelines as censorship, while others express less concern.

Despite this controversy, Black Myth: Wukong is generating immense pre-release hype. Steam statistics show it as both the best-selling and most wishlisted game on the platform. While the lack of console reviews presents a caveat, the game's launch appears poised for considerable success.