Early Impressions of Black Myth: Wukong Released Amid Controversy

After an eager four-year wait since its announcement in 2020, the reviews for Black Myth: Wukong are finally here, and the game is generating buzz across the gaming community. Dive in to discover the insights and opinions shared by various reviewers.

Black Myth: Wukong Is Almost Here

But Only On PC

Since its debut trailer back in 2020, Black Myth: Wukong has captivated audiences with its promise. Now, with a solid 82 Metascore on Metacritic from 54 critic reviews, it's clear that the anticipation has been largely justified. The game excels as an action title, delivering precise and engaging combat that shines in its meticulously crafted boss fights. Its stunning visuals further enhance the experience, inviting players to explore a beautifully rendered world filled with hidden secrets.

Rooted in Chinese mythology and drawing from the epic Journey to the West, the game narrates the adventures of Sun Wukong. Critics have praised the game's integration of this mythological tale into its narrative. GamesRadar+ hailed it as "a fun action RPG that feels like the modern God of War games viewed through the lens of Chinese mythology," showcasing the game's successful blend of action and storytelling.

PCGamesN suggested that Black Myth: Wukong is a strong contender for Game of the Year (GOTY), but it's not without its flaws. Common critiques include subpar level design, unexpected difficulty spikes, and occasional technical issues. The narrative has also been described as disjointed, reminiscent of older FromSoftware games, where players must delve into item descriptions to piece together the story.

It's worth noting that all review copies distributed so far have been for the PC version, leaving the performance on PS5 unconfirmed and eagerly anticipated.

Streamers and Reviewers Reportedly Received Controversial Guidelines

Over the weekend, a stir was created when one of Black Myth: Wukong's co-publishers reportedly sent out a document to streamers and publications. This document outlined a series of "Do’s and Don’ts," notably advising against discussing topics like violence, nudity, feminist propaganda, fetishization, and other content that might provoke negative discourse.

This move has sparked a heated debate within the game's community. A user on Twitter (X) expressed disbelief, stating, "It is WILD to me that this actually made it out the door. These guidelines had to have gone past multiple people/departments. Also, creators casually signing this and not speaking up is just as wild, unfortunately just less surprising.." Conversely, some community members see no issue with the guidelines.

Despite the controversy surrounding the review guidelines, anticipation for Black Myth: Wukong remains high. The game currently leads as the best-selling and most wishlisted title on Steam ahead of its release. While the lack of console reviews remains a concern, the game is poised for a significant launch.