Black Myth: Wukong Early Impressions Are Out Amid Review Guidelines Controversy

After a four-year wait since its 2020 announcement, Black Myth: Wukong is finally here! Read on for a summary of early reviews and the controversy surrounding review guidelines.

Black Myth: Wukong's Arrival

PC Exclusive (For Now)

Since its debut trailer in 2020, Black Myth: Wukong has generated considerable hype. Initial critical reception is largely positive, with an 82 Metascore on Metacritic based on 54 reviews.

Reviewers praise the game's exceptional action gameplay, emphasizing its precise and engaging combat system, particularly its well-crafted boss battles. The stunning visuals and hidden secrets within its beautiful world are also frequently highlighted.

The game's foundation in Chinese mythology, specifically Journey to the West and the adventures of Sun Wukong, is generally well-received. GamesRadar+, for example, described it as "a fun action RPG that feels like the modern God of War games viewed through the lens of Chinese mythology."

However, PCGamesN and other sources point to potential drawbacks, including subpar level design, uneven difficulty, and occasional technical glitches. The narrative structure, similar to older FromSoftware titles, is also criticized for being fragmented, requiring players to piece together the story through item descriptions.

Importantly, all early access reviews are based on the PC version; console reviews (specifically PS5) are currently unavailable.

Controversial Review Guidelines Surface

Reports emerged of a co-publisher distributing guidelines to streamers and reviewers, outlining "Do's and Don'ts" and restricting discussion of "violence, nudity, feminist propaganda, fetishization, and other content that instigates negative discourse." This has sparked heated debate, with some criticizing the guidelines while others express no concern.

Despite this controversy, Black Myth: Wukong remains highly anticipated, currently topping Steam's best-selling and most wishlisted games before its official launch. The lack of console reviews remains a point of discussion, but the game is poised for a significant launch.