UK Marketing Everything You Should Know About Black Myth: Wukong

Since Black Myth: Wukong released the final trailer on August 8th, more about its gameplay, scenery, and Bosses was revealed, igniting the gaming community.

Release Information

• Release date: August 20, 2024

• Platform: Playstation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam & Epic Games Store)

• Developer & Publisher: Game Science

• Price: Standard - $59.99; Digital Deluxe Edition - $69.99

• Languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Italian

Game Background

The worldview of "Black Myth: Wukong" is primarily based on the classic Chinese literary masterpiece "Journey to the West," with innovations and expansions built upon this foundation.

What is the Original Story of "Journey to the West"?

"Journey to the West" is set in an ancient China filled with myths and legends, incorporating real historical and religious elements along with a plethora of mythical creatures, demons, and immortals.

The story weaves together adventure, mythology, and moral lessons, and is celebrated as one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature.

It primarily follows the journey of the monk Tang Seng and his three disciples — Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing — as they travel to the West to obtain the Buddhist scriptures.

Along the way, they face 81 trials, overcoming various demons and animal spirits, ultimately achieving their goal and being granted Buddhahood.

Wukong, also known as the Monkey King, is one of the most iconic characters from "Journey to the West." He has inspired many characters in various games and anime, such as Wukong in "League of Legends" and Goku in "Dragon Ball."

What is the Story of "Black Myth: Wukong" about?

(Source: Black Myth: Wukong)

From various game trailers released by the official team, "Black Myth: Wukong" incorporates many elements from "Journey to the West," with maps, bosses, and characters having their counterparts in the original text.

The beginning of the first Gameplay Trailer released by Game Science three years ago hinted at the game's background story:

"You must have heard stories about him:

Some say he helped Tang Seng fetch the Buddhist scriptures, becoming the "Victorious Fighting Buddha. From then on, he stayed in Lingshan.

Some say, it wasn't him who was granted Buddhahood. The real him was already dead on the journey to the West.

Some say, there is no such journey. He's just a storyteller's fictional monkey.

But you must have no heard the story I'm going to tell.

This story starts with a golden cicada..."

* Notes: "it wasn't him who was granted Buddhahood" implies the story of Six-Eared Macaque, who is closely impersonating Wukong. If you are interested in this story, you can read Journey to the West for details.

While the official storyline hasn't provided much detailed information, it is clear that the story is setting after the successful acquisition of the scriptures by Wukong and his team, and you will uncover the truth of this story by experiencing the game.



As the game description stated:

"You shall set out as the Destined One to venture into the challenges and marvels ahead, to uncover the obscured truth beneath the veil of a glorious legend from the past."

Combat System

Combat involves dodging attacks, finding openings, managing focus and mana, and using spells strategically.

Movement & Focus

In Black Myth, Wukong's movement is quicker and more agile compared to the slower, more methodical combat typical of soulslikes.

Notably, there is no block button for melee attacks. Instead, Wukong can twirl his staff to block projectiles and must dodge melee attacks using a dodge system.

Players can dodge up to three times quickly, but a lengthy recovery time punishes excessive dodging.

Perfectly timed dodges reward you with extra focus, and filling your focus bar grants a focus point, which allows you to chain a strong attack into your light combo for significant damage or use special moves unlocked in the skill tree.

Spells

Wukong has access to spells that consume mana. For example, the immobilize spell (or Freeze Body Spell), shown in previous trailer, can stop enemies in their tracks.

* Notes: Stronger enemies and bosses are less affected by it. 

Transformations

Another special skill of Wukong is Transformations, inspired by the "72 Terrestrial Killers" in "Journey to the West".

Wukong can transform into several animals, and here's what we know about his transformations from the trailer so far:

1. Exploration-type Transformations

(Source: Black Myth: Wukong)

I categorize transformations like the "Golden Cicada" and "Bat" seen in the gameplay trailer as exploration-type transformations.

These forms are generally characterized by abilities that allow for quick movement or avoiding enemy aggro, making them useful for exploration but not that applicable in combat.

2. Combat-type Transformations

Combat-type transformations can grant Wukong new abilities, such as special light attact and heavy attack, spells, or immunity to abnormal statuses.

*Notes: There are four types of negative status effects in the game: Shock, Burn, Freeze, and Poison, can be cured using herbs.

Stances

The tower stance allows Wukong to stand on his staff, avoiding ground damage as long as his stamina holds.

If a focus point is charged while in this stance, Wukong can leap off, flip the staff, and crash down with a powerful strike.

Progression & Upgrades

Defeating enemies grants Will, which fills a bar in the top right of the screen. When the bar is full, it grants a Spark that can be used to purchase upgrades from skill trees. Once banked, skill points cannot be lost, even if you die before filling the bar.

However, dying before filling the bar results in losing some experience. You can add skill points anytime, not just at shrines, which serve as checkpoints.

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