Over the summer, we experienced what could only be described as a drought in good, quality video game titles. While gamers sat and waited for games like Snake Eater, GTA6 and Astro Bot to release, we were stuck searching for games that could fill that gap. Over the summer, I personally found many that kept me occupied, games that I either missed or that predate me entirely.
It was during the middle of July that I was scrolling through the PS app on my phone, looking for something new, when I reached the “Pre-Orders” category. At the top sat Black Myth Wukong, a game I had only heard so much about until now. Watching the trailers, I was blown away by the visuals, combat, and overall Soulslike feel (although it isn’t classified as one). So I put the game in the back of my mind, almost forgetting about it.
On August 20, 2024, the game was released on PS5 and PC platforms simultaneously. Being one of the most pre-ordered games at that time, expectations were at an all time high. With 4.5 million pre-orders, the game was released to a bunch of excited fans, and boy did they deliver…
I picked up the game a day or two after its release, and I was IMMEDIATELY hooked. You play as a monkey known as the “Destined One”, on your way to attempt to resurrect Sun Wukong by collecting his relics, each containing a piece of his senses. Seeing as the game is based off the novel Journey to the West, MANY characters return as either friend or foe. The story is easy to follow, regardless of if you read the novel or not. If you’re not a huge fan of the story, that’s fine too. Mindlessly beating bosses is also an enjoyable experience.
The gameplay doesn’t disappoint, either. The Destined One is able to use three different stances, each completely changing how you attack. Each stance is completely different, and the player is encouraged to experiment with each of them until they find out which one fits them the best. Wielding a staff, spear and the ability to cast spells, The Destined One’s arsenal is vast and different. Crafting weapons and armor is also a huge component, and the player will have to learn to both search for resources and be somewhat mindful of what they craft. As you progress through the game, you unlock more recipes and abilities by doing different quests and searching different areas.
There are a total of 116 bosses in the game (from what I’ve counted) scattered throughout the 6 chapters the game has to offer, some of which can be completely missed by the hasty player. Boasting a semi-linear, semi-open world map, the player can explore to their heart’s content, without getting completely lost. Each chapter also contains a secret area, accessible by experimenting with different abilities, doing different quests, defeating a specific boss, or just flat out exploration. The game values your time, never forcing you to do tedious activities (unless you’re going for the platinum…) and always keeping you hooked.
Now, like every review, there are a few unfortunate aspects to the game itself. The game is plagued by a LOT of invisible walls in places they shouldn’t be, often disappointing those who want to veer off the path just a bit more. A personal complaint of mine has to do with the second half of the game, which feels like it just has less effort built into it. While chapter 5 is a personal favorite, Chapter 4 feels off. Whether it’s the atmosphere, abundance of annoying enemies, or lack of content for a considerable portion of the Chapter, it fails to deliver what the rest do. I’ve seen complaints about Chapter 6, a Chapter I personally enjoyed, so I can’t really comment on it. My biggest gripe is the RNG aspects of the game. Farming for seeds and curios is the most excruciating experience a video game has offered me all year. However, this is not necessary to beat the game, only to 100% complete it. I want to say this now…DO NOT GO FOR THE PLATINUM…until they fix the drop chances. It will drive you insane.
If you’re on the fence about buying the game…BUY THE GAME. I cannot recommend it more. It’s a wonderful experience that’s bound to get you your money’s worth. I enjoyed it all the way through, and I have confidence that whoever’s reading this can too.
