Black Myth: Wukong is a AAA 2024 action role-playing game developed and published by Game Science(遊戲科學). The game is inspired by the classical Chinese novel, Journey to the West(西遊記 Xi Youˊ Jiˋ), and follows an anthropomorphic monkey based on the character of Sun Wukong(孫悟空) from the novel.
Who is WuKong?
Sun Wukong 孫悟空(손오공 in Korean), also known as the Monkey King, is a literary and religious figure best known as one of the main characters in the 16th century Chinese novel, Journey to the West(西遊記 Xi Youˊ Jiˋ written in 1592). In the novel, Sun Wukong is a monkey born from a stone who acquires supernatural powers through Taoist practices. After rebelling against the heaven government, he is imprisoned under a mountain by the Buddha. Five hundred years later, he accompanies the monk Tang Sanzang(唐三藏) riding on the White Dragon Horse and two other disciples, Zhu Bajie(豬八戒) and Sha Wujing(沙悟淨), on a journey to obtain Buddhist sutras from India, known as the West or Western Paradise, where Buddha and his followers dwell.
The background of this game: Journey to the West ( 西遊記 Xīyóu Jì)
Journey to the West ( 西遊記 Xīyóu Jì) is a Chinese novel published in the 16th century during the Ming dynasty and attributed to Wu Cheng en(吳承恩). It is regarded as one of the great Chinese novels, and has been described as arguably the most popular literary work in East Asia.
The novel is a fictionalized account of the pilgrimage of the Chinese Buddhist monk, Tang Sanzang(唐三藏)or his Dharma Name, Xuanzang(玄奘), who journeyed to India in the 7th century AD to seek out and collect Buddhist scriptures . The novel retains the broad outline of Xuanzang’s own account, Great Tang Records on the Western Regions(大唐西域記), but embellishes it with fantasy elements from folk tales and the author’s invention. In the story, the Buddha tasks the monk, called “Tang Sanzang” , with journeying to India and provides him with three protectors who agree to help him in order to atone for their sins: Sun Wukong (孫悟空 the “Monkey King”), Zhu Bajie(豬八戒), and Sha Wujing(沙悟淨). Riding a White Dragon Horse, the monk and his three protectors took a journey to a mythical version of India and enlightenment through the power and virtue of cooperation.
Note: Journey to the West has strong roots in Chinese folk religion, Chinese mythology, Chinese Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoist and Buddhist folklore, and the pantheon of Taoist immortals and Buddhist bodhisattvas are still reflective of certain Chinese religious attitudes today, while being the inspiration of many modern comic books, manga and anime series. Enduringly popular, the novel is at once a comic adventure story, a humorous satire of Chinese bureaucracy, a source of spiritual insight, and an extended allegory.( can mention JP, KR version)
Gameplay
Black Myth: Wukong is an action role-playing game with soulslike elements. It is a single-player game played from a third-person perspective.
The player controls a monkey protagonist referred to as the Destined One, who is based on Sun Wukong from the novel. The protagonist’s weapon is a staff, which is based on the Ruyi Jingu Bang(如意金箍棒) from the novel. The staff can extend and shrink in size during combat. The three staff stances, which are the smash stance, the pillar stance, and the thrust stance, provide versatility in fights. The combat mechanics involve resource management. Focus can be accumulated by landing light attacks, executing well-timed dodges, and other means. A focus point is gained when the meter for focus is filled up. These points can be used to initiate a varied combo, chained to light attacks, or to charge a heavy attack on its own. Stamina depletes by sprinting, dodging, and attacking.
Achievement
Overall, Black Myth: Wukong has key features below:
- Fast-paced combat: Engage in thrilling battles with a variety of enemies using Sun Wukong’s iconic weapon and other magical abilities.
- High-quality and sophiscated visuals: Game developers take the real buildings, stories, culture for reference to boost the authenticity in addition to high-quality images as well as animation, enabling players to be indulged in the real world.
- Rich storytelling: Immerse yourself in a captivating narrative that delves into the Monkey King’s lore and Journey to the West (西遊記).
- Innovative gameplay: Discover unique gameplay mechanics that leverage Sun Wukong’s abilities and the game’s open-world setting.
Black Myth: Wukong was released for PlayStation 5 and Windows on August 20, 2024, with an Xbox Series X/S version planned for release at a later date. The game received generally favorable reviews from critics. It sold 10 million units as of August 23, making it one of the fastest-selling games of all time.
Black Myth: Wukong has generated significant buzz among gamers and is eagerly awaited by fans of action-adventure games and Chinese mythology.
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