China is an undisputed powerhouse of gaming, boasting the largest market in the world that generates over $45 billion annually. Of course, most of this comes via mobile gaming. PC gaming does have a good following, but home console gaming is all but ignored, relatively speaking. Pencilled in for summer 2024, however, Black Myth: Wukong looks to lay down the gauntlet as China’s big AAA break, doing so by leaning heavily into one of the most famous tales to come out of the country.
Making the first AAA push as Chinese as possible
Some studios looking to put out their first offering while aiming for global appeal would fall into the trap of trying to hit trendy themes and settings. Instead, Game Science looks to tap into an ancient Chinese mythical setting which is also world-renowned.
Journey to the West, the tale of a legendary pilgrimage, is known around the globe and is already the basis of several other entertainment products, including one of the top games at new sweeps casinos 2023 with real money slots. That game, Wukong at Pulsz, puts the Monkey King protagonist front and centre, with Sun Wukong – as he’s known in the novel – as the key to the Hold and Win feature. In Black Myth: Wukong, as the name suggests, the Monkey King will also be the focus of the tale. What’s great about using this story of a legendary pilgrimage as the basis of a game is that it’s sprawling with Chinese folklore, mythical creatures, and elements of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism.
Sun Wukong himself proves his bravery countless times in Journey to the West, all while seeking the secret to immortality. After learning how to transform and travel 54,000 kilometres in an instant, he angers the gods and Jade Emperor, leading to all manner of celestial soldiers to bring him to heel. The story is loaded with antagonists that will make for excellent in-game bosses and enemies, including the Bear Mountain Lord, Demon King of Confusion, Tiger Vanguard, Lion-Lynx Demon, Water Lizard Dragon (Tuolong), and Single-Horned Rhinoceros King.
The stage is set for Wukong’s success
When IGN happened upon gameplay videos for recruitment on Chinese social media and video platforms, they quickly acquired what seems to be exclusive first looks at Black Myth: Wukong. To date, just three short videos of gameplay footage have amassed 21 million views on YouTube and tens of millions more on Bilibili.com. As written in a 2021 interview with studio founder Fengi Ji, they hope to give the name Wukong back to the Monkey King by making a popular AAA game as most know him via Dragon Ball Z’s main character, Son Goku.
By the looks of things, this goal is already starting to be achieved. The following is there, and with a firm release window of summer 2024, gamers can start to get excited about its arrival. Already, footage in pre-alpha has dazzled for its graphical fidelity, Souls-like gameplay, and novel character and creature designs. Game Science has cited the 2018 story-driven hit game God of War as the main inspiration, so many are buzzing for a Souls-GoW hybrid of a game.
While the similar – at a glance – Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty fell a bit flat earlier this year, it sold well upon release, showing baseline interest in the setting at the very least. Black Myth: Wukong needs a strong marketing effort, and if it gets that and launches well-polished, it’s sure to be China’s first AAA console and PC hit.
