Brandy McPherson
Black Myth: Wukong – A Breath of Fresh Air in the Soulslike Genre
When Black Myth: Wukong was unveiled in 2020, it immediately caught the attention of the soulslike community. With each subsequent gameplay video, the anticipation and excitement grew even stronger. Now, after getting the chance to play 30 minutes of the game at gamescom 2023, I can confidently say that Black Myth: Wukong lives up to the hype.
A Unique Blend of Action RPG Elements
While Black Myth: Wukong falls under the soulslike category due to its challenging boss fights and checkpoint system, it distinguishes itself from other FromSoftware games. The combat mechanics of Black Myth draw inspiration from both Sekiro and Bloodborne, combining the relentless speed of the former with evasive dodging akin to the latter. However, the combat in Black Myth feels distinct and innovative, creating its own unique identity within the genre.
The key to the game’s combat lies in its emphasis on evasions. Unlike traditional soulslike games, where blocking plays a vital role, Black Myth’s protagonist relies solely on dodging and leaping to avoid incoming attacks. This creates a dynamic and fluid combat system that keeps players constantly on the move, running circles around their foes. The satisfaction of narrowly evading an enemy’s strike is just as rewarding as a perfectly timed parry.
Switching stances allows you to fluidly mix different strike patterns, from spear-like lunges to a twirling assault.
One of the standout features of Black Myth is its exceptional responsiveness. The controls are incredibly smooth, allowing players to seamlessly switch between different stances and combine various strike patterns. From spear-like lunges to acrobatic twirling assaults, the combat feels like a symphony of martial arts moves. Each attack feels like a testament to the game’s Chinese mythology and martial arts roots, immersing players in a world of breathtaking acrobatics and combat prowess.
Breathtaking Boss Fights and Immersive Locations
The gamescom demo of Black Myth featured four segments, including three standalone boss battles and a longer section focused on regular enemies and exploration in the Fright Cliff area. Each boss fight showcased a wonderful sense of theatre, with meticulously designed attack patterns and stunning locations. The Tiger Vanguard boss fight, in particular, stood out with its lightning-fast pace and the visually striking pool of blood that reacted to every movement.
While the boss fights were truly memorable, the Fright Cliff chapter showcased a more traditional action RPG environment. The sandy and arid terrain, adorned with fallen Buddha statues and occasional incense burners, felt familiar. The level design in this section lacked the verticality and hazardous paths found in urban environments, making it feel somewhat formulaic. However, it’s worth noting that this is just a small glimpse of the game, and future chapters may offer more engaging layouts, taking full advantage of the protagonist’s unique abilities.
Black Loong’s attacks had to be leapt over or dodged through with an almost rhythm action game-like sense of pace and precision.
The true star of the demo was the boss encounter with Black Loong, a towering pig/dragon/man hybrid armed with massive electrified batons. The fight against Black Loong showcased the game’s versatility, requiring players to execute precise dodges and leaps to evade his devastating lightning attacks. Additionally, players can utilize a variety of cooldown-based abilities during combat, such as the Immobilize skill, which temporarily freezes the boss in place. These abilities add an extra layer of strategy and excitement to the already intense boss fights.
Looking Ahead
While this gamescom 2023 demo of Black Myth: Wukong showcased its immense potential, there are still aspects that remain unseen. The developer, Game Science, has yet to reveal details about wider RPG systems like character development and leveling up. Additionally, the level design of future chapters remains a mystery. However, if these elements match the quality of the boss encounters seen so far, Black Myth: Wukong has the potential to become one of the most exciting action RPGs of the soulslike era.
In conclusion, Black Myth: Wukong is a breath of fresh air in the soulslike genre. Its lightning-fast combat, responsive controls, and unique setting rooted in Chinese mythology create an exhilarating gameplay experience. While there may be room for improvement in terms of level design and RPG systems, the game’s incredible boss fights and immersive locations indicate a promising future for this highly anticipated title.
Written by Matt Purslow, IGN’s UK News and Features Editor.
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