Black Myth: Wukong Review – Playing The First Time

Black Myth: Wukong review playing first time has gathered a lot of attention due to its ambitious scope, intricate combat mechanics, and stunning use of Unreal Engine 5. Below is a more detailed breakdown of what makes this game so highly anticipated:

Story and Setting

Black Myth: Wukong is heavily inspired by the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, but it doesn’t follow the source material strictly. The protagonist, Sun Wukong, or the Monkey King, is a powerful yet mischievous figure from Chinese folklore. The game centers around his battles against various mythical creatures and demons as he embarks on a journey of self-discovery.

The story is chapter-based, and players can expect the narrative to unfold over various regions with NPCs that guide them through quests. Some quests are time-sensitive, meaning players could miss important events if they don’t act quickly. This structure encourages exploration while delivering a focused experience.

Combat and Mechanics

Combat in Black Myth: Wukong review playing for the first time is both tactical and fast-paced. Although comparisons have been made to soul-like games, it introduces its mechanics to avoid being a simple clone. One of the key features is the stance system, which allows players to shift between different styles using Wukong’s staff weapon. These stances include:

Pillar Stance: Allows players to leap onto their staff to strike from above.
Thrust Stance: Focuses on long-range, rapid strikes.

In addition to physical attacks, Wukong can use spells and transformations, like freezing enemies or turning into different creatures. This adds a layer of strategy since many bosses and enemies have resistances, forcing players to frequently adapt their build. The game rewards experimentation, allowing for free respects at certain checkpoints called Shrines.

The lack of parry mechanics, a hallmark of many soul-like games, has been replaced with a more dynamic dodge and counterattack system. This provides a smoother combat experience while retaining difficulty in managing stamina and timing.

Bosses and Enemies

Boss fights are a significant part of the game’s appeal. Some bosses are large, intricate battles that require players to pay close attention to patterns, dodge effectively, and utilise the right stance or spell to overcome. While many of these encounters are memorable, some critics have mentioned that a few bosses felt more tedious than challenging.

However, the variety in boss designs ranging from multi-legged beasts to armored warriors keeps the game feeling fresh, even if certain fights might lean into repetition. The game’s challenge is considered fair, with death being the result of player mistakes rather than cheap tactics.

Exploration and World Design

Exploration in Black Myth: Wukong review playing for the first time is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, the game offers breathtaking environments spanning different biomes, from lush forests to frozen landscapes. On the other hand, some players have expressed frustration with invisible walls that limit movement, detracting from the open-world feel.

Despite these limitations, the world is packed with secrets, hidden treasures, and optional bosses. Completing these optional tasks can offer better gear or skills, rewarding players who take the time to explore each area fully.

Graphics and Performance

One of the game’s standout features is its visual fidelity. Rendered in Unreal Engine 5, the environments, character models, and animations are all top-tier. Even on mid-range gaming setups, players have reported smooth gameplay at 4K resolution, with minimal performance issues outside of cuts-scens.

The game’s art direction has been widely praised for its faithful interpretation of Chinese mythology. Each region is distinct, and the variety in enemy designs showcases the creativity of the developers.

Read this full detailed article – black myth wukong ps5 performance

What do players like the most in this game?

Gamers are particularly drawn to several key aspects of Black Myth: Wukong :

Visually Stunning Graphics: One of the standout features frequently praised by players is the game’s breathtaking visual fidelity. Powered by Unreal Engine 5, the game offers highly detailed environments and character designs, immersing players in a visually rich world inspired by Chinese mythology. The graphics, even on mid-tier systems, perform impressively, making the game feel polished and refined.
Challenging Combat System: The combat mechanics are highly engaging, with players loving the fast-paced, tactical approach. The stance system, which allows for dynamic fighting styles, adds depth to the gameplay. Fans of souls like games enjoy the challenge, with the need to dodge, counter-attack, and frequently aspects builds to overcome bosses and enemies. The spells and transformations further enhance the combat experience, allowing players to adapt their strategies on the fly.
Boss Fights: The game’s boss battles are often considered a highlight, providing a tough but rewarding challenge. Each boss has unique mechanics and design, forcing players to learn attack patterns and adapt their fighting styles.
Mythology and Storyline: Players appreciate the game’s deep connection to Chinese mythology. Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, is a beloved figure in Chinese folklore, and many players find the adaptation of his story engaging and different from what most Western RPGs offer. The narrative, though straightforward, effectively pulls players into its world.

Overall, the immersive visuals, challenging and strategic combat, and mythology-based story are what players love most about Black Myth: Wukong.

What do players don’t like about this game?

While Black Myth: Wukong has garnered a lot of praise, there are a few aspects that gamers have criticized:

Invisible Walls and Exploration Limits: One of the biggest complaints is the game’s restrictive exploration due to invisible walls and linear paths. While the world looks expansive, many players feel confined, as these boundaries limit movement and exploration, reducing the sense of freedom in what could have been a more open-world experience.
Difficulty Spikes: The game’s boss fights, while generally praised for being challenging, have received some criticism for their difficulty spikes. Some players find that certain bosses are unnecessarily difficult or frustrating, requiring too many retries, which can lead to a feeling of imbalance. This uneven difficulty can detract from the overall enjoyment of players who are not accustomed to such steep challenges.
Repetitive Boss Encounters: While many of the bosses are visually impressive, a portion of players feel that some encounters are repetitive or lack innovation. This makes some boss fights feel less exciting and more tedious, especially during long play sessions.
Performance Drops in Cut-scenes: Although the game performs well overall, some players have noticed frame drops during cut-scenes and certain transitions. These minor technical issues, while not game-breaking, detract from the immersive experience.

In summary, the restrictive exploration, occasional difficulty spikes, and repetitive boss fights are some of the main areas where Black Myth: Wukong has faced criticism from gamers.

Conclusion

Black Myth: Wukong review playing first time is a visually stunning action RPG with challenging but fair combat, a rich mythological backdrop, and an impressive array of boss fights. While some aspects of its world design can feel restrictive, its focus on strategic combat and player adaptability make it one of the most exciting releases of 2024. For fans of action RPGs, particularly those with an interest in Chinese folklore, this game is a must-play.