Black Myth: Wukong is an action RPG developed by Game Science, inspired by the classic 16th-century Chinese novel “Journey to the West”. The game follows the adventures of Sun Wukong, also known as the Monkey King, a central character in the novel.
Journey to the West is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. It tells the story of the monk Xuanzang’s pilgrimage to India to obtain sacred Buddhist texts, accompanied by his three protectors: Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie (Pigsy), and Sha Wujing (Sandy). Sun Wukong, the most famous of the trio, is known for his incredible strength, agility, and magical abilities, including shapeshifting and summoning mini-clones of himself.
In Black Myth: Wukong, players control a character based on Sun Wukong, referred to as the “Destined One.” The game features a rich world filled with yaoguai, supernatural creatures from Chinese mythology. These creatures possess various abilities like shapeshifting, creating illusions, and causing diseases. The protagonist wields a magical staff, the Ruyi Jingu Bang, which can change size and is a key element in combat.
The game not only brings to life the fantastical elements of Journey to the West but also delves deep into Chinese folklore and mythology, offering players a unique cultural experience. The yaoguai, for instance, are inspired by ancient Chinese beliefs in supernatural beings. That said, is the game worth your time and your dime? Well, let's find out!
Gameplay: When it comes to gameplay, I have to say that this game is unforgiving. There are some enemies like the wolves that are easier to take on, but don’t get it twisted because some are stronger than others. You will notice that some of the wolves are a bit more put together in regards to their garb, compared to others who are a bit more disheveled. The ones in clean garb seem to have a bit more training... versus swinging wildly only to leave their back exposed like the more inexperienced wolves. That said, don't overlook an enemy who isn’t a boss-type, because they can definitely give you a run for your… Yen.
The combat system in Black Myth: Wukong is both smooth and realistic. While you can skillfully wield your staff to fend off attacks and protect yourself from arrows, there's a limit to how many you can block before some inevitably get through... and you end up with an arrow to the knee. Additionally, not all attacks can be parried, as some enemies are simply too powerful. In many situations, it's best to dodge and wait for the right moment to strike. Initially, your attacks, dodging, and running will be effective to some degree, but as you progress and build up your skill tree, you'll transition from merely surving to becoming a formidable force. Trust me, your badassness awaits!
The skill tree in this game gets me excited because with every upgrade, you're a step closer to God-like status. That excites me because I want to wield that power when it comes to taking on the biggest baddest foes. You use Sparks as the way to upgrade your "Abilities," "Foundation," and your "Spells." Let's take a break from talking about the gameplay and actually check it out... shall we?
I won't hold the initial freeze against them since it doesn't ruin the gameplay.
Visuals:Black Myth: Wukong is visually impressive, especially if your PC has the right specs. I don’t want to give away any spoilers as far as the opening experience is concerned, but what I will say is that it’s grand and gives you an amazing idea of what’s to come. When it comes to the standard visuals, you will see references to Chinese mythology. Outside of the statues and engravings, the influences are also there in terms of the supernatural creatures. Trust me, I’ve seen some crazy stuff in this game, including something that’s larger than life with a boulder-sized head. I came across a Jinchi that looks like some sort of monk, but it’s green and appears to be covered in reptilian scales and has a robe with beads (oh and I can't forget about the tail). I have yet to take on this giant being, but he’s not the only thing I came across while scratching the surface of this mythical adventure.
Audio:This game has some crispy interesting sounds from creatures able to talk, and others delivering creepy grunts, growls, howls, and I don't know what to expect next. Who am I kidding, if I hear a monster pop up telling me that I can save on car insurance... I'm heading for the hills. The creatures that speak are able to make your skin crawl just as much or more... based on how they sound or if you don't see them but... you hear them out of nowhere. When they break through the silence, you just might feel a chill up your spine. Another element when it comes to the audio that you could appreciate is the background music. The music is subtle, but it adds to the depth. It delivers a martial arts movie-like feel with prominent drums leading the way and suble sounds from what sounds like the Dizi, Guzheng, and the Erhu.
Price: Pricewise, you can get Black Myth: Wukong
for $59.99. Is it worth the price? Absolutely, just make sure you have enough hard drive space for your purchase because it requires 130 GB of storage. So just prepare, and with that said, you can just about imagine all the bosses packed into this game. If you take them on strategically, items obtained from besting one boss can help you better take on the next as you level up your badassness (i.e., I obtained the Immobilize Spell while taking on the Bullguard... which has aided me in battle).
You have a ton of replay value here when you think about the skill tree and being sent back to the drawing board to figure out how to better approach a boss, so if this is your type of game, you won’t be sorry in terms of getting your money’s worth. Are you ready to become the "Destined One"?
Black Myth: Wukong is available now on PC & Playstation with Xbox getting a release at a later time.
GUANGZHOU, China – August 23, 2024 – NetEase Games, the online games division of NetEase, Inc. and Bad Guitar Studio announced during the Gamescom Xbox Broadcast that registrations are open for FragPunk’s upcoming closed beta test on Steam and Xbox, set to go live in early October. Interested players can head over to the game’s steam page or to the Xbox insider program to register.
FragPunk’s Closed Beta Test Pre-Registrations Are Open!
FragPunk’s closed beta test will begin in early October, with the specific dates to be shared next month. Players can sign up for the test starting August 23 by visiting the game’s Steam Page or by joining the Xbox insider program. Compared with the previous Alpha Test, this Beta Test will be opened to a wider range of players in Europe, North America, Latin America, Japan, and South Korea.
The test will feature an array of new and improved features, including heroes, cards and modes, with more details on the new content coming later in September. It will also be the first time the game is available on Xbox, with cross-play allowing players of both platforms to compete with each other.
The first official gameplay trailer for FragPunk was also released at the event, highlighting the game’s Shard Card mechanics and their numerous effects and interactions with one another. Moreover, the trailer showed the unique tiebreaker mechanic, Duel Mode.
From Nail-biting tiebreakers to an encouraging alpha and beyond!
Aside from its appearance in the official gameplay trailer, the tie-breaker mechanic occurs in a match when both teams are tied at three round victories each. To decide the winner, a series of 1v1 duel gunfights play out, with each player facing an opponent with a single life. The player who wins moves on to fight the next competitor, making it possible for one team member to carry the entire squad to victory.
FragPunk’s popularity kept progressing between its reveal and following Closed Alpha test in June. The amount of test applications has exceeded the team’s expectations, and in turn provided them with valuable feedback. Players and streamers who were invited to the Closed Alpha praised its unique aesthetics and its engaging gameplay loop which kept the pressure on thanks to the ever-changing nature of shard cards.
In addition, FragPunk's recent video features stunning visuals made in collaboration with NVIDIA to showcase the game’s graphical quality, allowing for raytracing and NVIDIA DLSS 3 with Frame Generation. Even in the closed beta, our cast of heroic Punks are going into battle looking as good as possible.
The upcoming closed beta test is the ideal way to experience the game early and learn the ropes. So make sure to visit the game’s steam page or Xbox insider program to register your interest in the game and prepare for the test in October!
