Early Impressions of Black Myth: Wukong Released Amid Controversy

After four long years of anticipation since its initial announcement in 2020, the reviews for Black Myth: Wukong are finally in. Dive deeper to discover what critics and reviewers have to say about this eagerly awaited title.

Black Myth: Wukong Is Almost Here

But Only On PC

Since its captivating trailer debuted in 2020, Black Myth: Wukong has garnered immense excitement. Critics seem to be largely in agreement, praising the game with an impressive 82 Metascore on Metacritic based on 54 critic reviews.

The consensus among reviewers is that Black Myth: Wukong excels as an action game, boasting precise and engaging combat that shines in its well-crafted boss encounters. The game also features breathtaking visuals and a world rich with secrets waiting to be discovered, encouraging players to explore every corner.

Set within the rich tapestry of Chinese mythology, particularly the epic tale of Journey to the West, the game introduces players to the adventures of Sun Wukong. Reviewers, including GamesRadar+, have praised the game for its effective storytelling, with GamesRadar+ describing it as "a fun action RPG that feels like the modern God of War games viewed through the lens of Chinese mythology."

PCGamesN's review suggested that Black Myth: Wukong could be a contender for Game of the Year (GOTY), yet it noted some potential drawbacks that might be significant for some players. These include criticisms of the level design, unexpected difficulty spikes, and occasional technical issues. Several reviews also mentioned that the narrative can feel disjointed, reminiscent of older FromSoftware titles, requiring players to delve into item descriptions to fully grasp the storyline.

It's important to note that all review copies provided so far have been for the PC version, with no early access copies available for consoles. Consequently, there are no confirmed reviews yet on how the game performs on the PS5.

Streamers and Reviewers Reportedly Received Controversial Guidelines

Image sourced from SteamDB Over the weekend, it came to light that one of Black Myth: Wukong's co-publishers distributed a document outlining guidelines for streamers and reviewers. This document reportedly included a list of "Do’s and Don’ts," advising recipients to avoid discussing sensitive topics such as "violence, nudity, feminist propaganda, fetishization, and other content that instigates negative discourse."

This move has sparked a heated debate within the gaming 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.." However, others felt that such guidelines were not problematic.

Despite the controversy surrounding the review guidelines, anticipation for Black Myth: Wukong remains high. According to Steam sales statistics, it is currently the best-selling and most wishlisted game on the platform ahead of its release. While there are concerns about the absence of console reviews, the game is poised for a significant launch.