Black Myth: Wukong review (in progress) – A stunning-looking action RPG with some issues
There’s one thing I can say for certain about Game Science’s Black Myth: Wukong – it’s the nicest-looking game I’ve ever laid eyes on. It truly is a visual spectacle, with photo-realistic environments, impressive character models and eye-watering special effects. The only thing that really lets it down is its lip-syncing, which isn’t all that great. Still, if games were rated on how pretty they were, Black Myth: Wukong would be a 10/10, no doubt.
Video games aren’t reviewed based on their visuals alone, though, and based on my time so far with Black Myth: Wukong, it unfortunately isn’t perfect. An action RPG that Game Science is keen to assert isn’t a soulslike, it actually sits somewhere awkwardly in the middle-ground, having many soulslike elements that don’t gel all that well with its more linear nature. And like many soulslikes, it can also feel soul-crushingly punishing at times.
Black Myth: Wukong finds players in control of the Destined One, who embarks on a great journey to explore the lands, discover their secrets and gain incredible power along the way. Honestly, I’ve found it hard to get invested in the game’s story so far as it’s rather vague, but it hasn’t bothered me: the real draw here is the thrilling combat. Well, and the stunning visuals, of course.
Taking control of the Destined One is a delight for the most part. He moves around the world with grace, and equipped with his mighty staff, he’s more than capable of giving his enemies a good thwacking. Tap the light attack button and he’ll perform a nifty combo, damaging enemies while filling up a focus meter. This focus meter is how you best make use of the strong attack button; unless you have focus, pressing the strong attack button mid-combo is likely to simply lock you into a long attack animation that leaves you open to attack. Needless to say, it takes a while to get used to.
As you’d expect, as you make your way through Black Myth: Wukong, skill points, or Sparks, are acquired as you gain experience and level up, which can be used to develop the Destined One in a myriad of ways. One of these is to enhance your fighting skills with your staff, even going so far as to unlock two further stances. These primarily affect your strong attack, however; while your basic stance allows you to perform a charged slam attack by holding down the strong attack button, unlock the pillar stance and you’ll be able to grow and perch on your staff instead, avoiding ground attacks.
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Ultimately, what makes the combat of Black Myth: Wukong really exciting are the magic spells and other special abilities available to you. Very early on you gain the ability to momentarily turn enemies into stone for a short while, for example, allowing you to wail on them and cause significant damage. Another spell allows you to spawn a decoy and momentarily become invisible to enemies, emerging from the shadows to land a powerful blow. More spells will become available as you play, and each can be improved in various ways, just like your abilities with the staff.
On top of all this, the Destined One is able to transform into a variety of creatures as well. One ability allows him to assume the form of a fearsome beast, initially a white wolf with a fiery blade, for a period of time, only returning to his natural form once the beast’s health or might meter has been depleted. And by capturing spirits, the Destined One can then equip them to gain passive benefits and summon them in battle to make use of their unique skills. Cultivate these spirits and you can make them even more powerful while requiring less Qi to summon.
There’s just something about the combat of Black Myth: Wukong, however, that means it’s not hitting all the right notes with me. Perhaps it’s the way that you’re supposed to ‘see though’ some enemy attacks to dish out your own damage, which feels particularly risky considering some of them hit exceedingly hard. The light attack also has a short range, so even when you’ve increased the distance that the Destined One can dash forward when initiating an attack, it can be tricky to capitalise on openings.
Sure, things get better once you’ve learned some of the intricacies of the combat system and learned to be calmer under pressure so that you can successfully dodge incoming blows, but those who were hoping for combat that feels as tight and rewarding as that from a character action games such as Devil May Cry or Bayonetta may feel a little let down.
There are issues outside of combat, too. Crafting new gear can feel like a grind, for example, and that itself doesn’t particularly gel well with the more linear structure of the environments here. Some areas are more open, giving you the opportunity to explore a little, but for the most part you feel railroaded from one encounter to the next. Some systems and effects aren’t particularly well explained, either, which may leave you scratching your head. Throw in some balance issues — rat archers, I’m looking at you with your bevvy of fire arrows that can decimate most of a health bar — and you have a game that can frustrate at times.
So far, then, Black Myth: Wukong is a game that I’m really wanting to like, but sometimes it feels like it’s fighting against me. I’m loving its visuals, which make exploring each environment feel somewhat magical, and I’m mostly enjoying its combat until I come up against an enemy or situation that feels somewhat unfair. Elsewhere there are other issues. And so, while I’m keen to continue playing and see the Destined One’s journey to an end, I’m prepared for bumps in the road along the way.
This review in progress of Black Myth: Wukong is based on the PC version, with a code provided by the game’s publisher. It’s available on PS5 and PC, with an Xbox Series X/S planned for later in the year.
