Black Myth: Wukong[a] is a 2024 action role-playing game developed and published by Game Science. The game is inspired by the classical Chinese novel Journey to the West and follows an anthropomorphic monkey based on Sun Wukong from the novel. Black Myth: Wukong was released for PlayStation 5 and Windows on August 20, 2024, with an Xbox Series X/S version to be released at a later date. The game received generally favorable reviews from critics. It sold 20 million units in its first month and is one of the fastest-selling games of all time. An expansion for the game is planned for release. Black Myth: Wukong is an action role-playing game.[3][4][5] It has elements characteristic to the Soulslike subgenre.[4][5] The game is played in single-player mode[6][7][8] from a third-person perspective.[3] The player controls a monkey protagonist referred to as the Destined One, who is based on Sun Wukong from the Journey to the West.[9][6] The protagonist's weapon is a staff, which is based on the Ruyi Jingu Bang from the novel.[9][10] The staff can extend and shrink in size during combat.[9] The three staff stances—the smash, pillar, and thrust stance—provide versatility in fights.[11][6][12][13] The combat mechanics involve resource management.[14] Focus can be accumulated by landing light attacks, executing well-timed dodges, and other means.[15][16] A focus point is gained when the meter for focus is filled up.[14] These points can be used to initiate heavy attacks.[16] A heavy attack can be executed on its own or as a varied combo, which is triggered during light attacks.[17] Stamina is depleted by sprinting, dodging, and attacking.[18][19] Spells have cooldowns and consume mana.[3][9] They are categorized in mysticism, alteration, strand, and transformations.[20] The protagonist uses transformations to shapeshift into a different creature or being.[21][9] An example is the transformation Red Tides, which takes the form of Guangzhi, a wolfman who wields a flaming glaive.[9] The transformations come with their own movesets and health.[21][9] They are available on cooldown, but do not cost mana.[14] They last until their might, which is depleted by attacking, or health runs out.[9] Spirits provide a skill and passive effect if they are equipped.[22][23] Defeated yaoguai chiefs may leave behind their spirits, which are acquired if they are absorbed into a gourd.[24] Spirit skills function as transformations to do a unique attack.[23] Qi is used to activate spirit skills.[3][23] An example of a spirit is the Wandering Wight, who does a headbutt attack.[22] Vessels provide a passive effect and an activation effect, which consumes qi, if they are equipped.[25] For example, the Plantain Fan can create a hurricane that staggers enemies.[25] The game follows a mostly linear progression interspersed with expansive areas.[9] There are keeper's shrines, which act as checkpoints for the player, along the way.[26] Players can reallocate their character's sparks, which are skill points, to change the character's playstyle without restrictions or costs.[27] The game's difficulty cannot be changed by players and is variable throughout a playthrough.[28] There is a New Game Plus after a playthrough is completed.[29]
