Black Myth: Wukong is a Feast for the Eyes with Combat to Match

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Salman Fareed

At old.tech4gamers.com, I cover the latest news and rumours in the gaming industry, from new game releases to hidden gems and video game leaks. Furthermore, I occasionally write tech articles about video game consoles, providing insights into the hardware and software that powers our gaming experiences.

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Black Myth: Wukong is one of the most visually impressive games of 2024, maybe even more than Hellblade 2. Created by the Chinese indie studio Game Science, this action RPG stands out for its stunning graphics and exciting, fast-paced combat.

Thanks to Unreal Engine 5, the game features amazing environments, highly detailed characters, and super smooth animations.

The combat makes the game even more special, providing a challenging experience that rewards skill, patience, and adaptability to different bosses.

With over 1 million players daily and $1 billion in revenue within its first month, Black Myth: Wukong is a serious contender for Game of the Year.

Why it matters: Black Myth: Wukong had a budget of just $70 million, and Game Science has created something truly fascinating. In contrast, Spider-Man 2 cost $315 million to develop and didn’t bring anything groundbreaking.

Absolutely Stunning Environments

As soon as I started playing Black Myth: Wukong, I was blown away by its graphics. Thanks to advanced rendering technology, the game features beautifully detailed environments, from lush forests in chapters 1 and 6 to towering mountains in chapter 3.

With the help of Nvidia DLSS and path tracing, the visuals are on par with visual marvels like Cyberpunk 2077 and Alan Wake 2. The game also utilizes Unreal Engine 5’s Lumen technology for global illumination and reflections, which looks as good as path tracing.

The visuals in Black Myth: Wukong isn’t limited to just the environments; the character models are top-notch, with smooth and realistic animations. The main character, The Destined One, moves gracefully, making combat feel more cinematic.

The game maintains its impressive graphical detail even on mid-range hardware, allowing players with average GPUs to enjoy stunning visuals with little lag. I achieved over 60 FPS using medium-high settings at 1440p on my RTX 3060 Ti.

But it’s not just the visuals that stand out. The audio design is also noteworthy, featuring traditional Chinese instruments like the zither and flute, which enhance the game’s immersive experience and draw players into Wukong’s mythical world.

Fast-Paced Fluid Combat

Though the visuals might draw you in, the combat system in Black Myth: Wukong keeps me hooked. Unlike typical Soulslike games, it offers a fresh approach to action-RPG combat.

There’s no standard block or parry system. Instead, I relied on dodging and counterattacking based on stamina, which demands quick reflexes and a good grasp of enemy attack patterns.

Before anyone says the combat gets repetitive because it’s only dodging, I must explain that the game punishes excessive dodging. Most bosses have extremely delayed attacks, so excessive dodging can be fatal. 

Moreover, I really liked the powerful counter-attacking mechanisms or “Resolute Counter Flow”. If players use a heavy attack during a light attack combo just before an enemy hits them, they’ll trigger the Resolute Counter Flow. 

The Destined One uses a magical staff with three different stances, each with different abilities and skill trees. Along with various spells and transformations, this creates a dynamic combat system that forces players to adjust their strategy based on their enemies.

The transformation feature, which lets The Destined One change into different creatures with unique powers, adds more depth to the combat, which is also fun.

Balancing Complexity with Accessibility

Black Myth: Wukong is especially fun because it balances complexity with ease of use. The game has a detailed skill tree where players can unlock and upgrade different abilities.

Although this might seem overwhelming initially, players can change their build anytime, encouraging trying out different playstyles. I was never stuck with one playstyle and learned that adapting to various challenges is crucial for beating the toughest bosses.

However, the game does have some issues. I noticed that camera angles can be frustrating during certain boss fights, especially in tight areas where the camera might get stuck and make it hard to see what’s happening.

Regardless, Black Myth: Wukong is Game Science’s first major title, and it competes with big-budget games in scale and ambition. 

This game shows what smaller studios can achieve with the right tools and vision. Although some bosses can be challenging, and there are occasional skill checks, the game offers a satisfying experience with some of the best visuals ever.

If you’re a fan of action RPGs, you can’t go wrong with Black Myth: Wukong. It blends the best features of Soulslike games with its own unique combat system, all set in a visually mind-blowing world inspired by Chinese mythology.

Game Science has confirmed two DLCs for the game, so buying the game right now is really a no-brainer.

Salman Fareed

Passionate gamer and content creator with vast knowledge of video games, and I enjoy writing content about them. My creativity and ability to think outside the box allow me to approach gaming uniquely. With my dedication to gaming and content creation, I’m constantly exploring new ways to share my passion with others.