Black Myth: Wukong Early Impressions Amidst Controversy

After a four-year wait since its 2020 announcement, Black Myth: Wukong is finally here! Early reviews are in, revealing a generally positive reception, but also sparking controversy. Let's delve into the details.

Black Myth: Wukong Arrives (PC Only, For Now)

The game, highly anticipated since its initial trailer, has earned a Metascore of 82 on Metacritic (based on 54 reviews). Critics praise its exceptional action gameplay, emphasizing precise and engaging combat, particularly in its well-crafted boss battles. The stunning visuals and hidden secrets within its captivating world also garner significant praise.

Drawing inspiration from the classic Chinese mythology of Journey to the West, the game's interpretation of Sun Wukong's adventures is widely lauded. GamesRadar+, for example, describes it as "a fun action RPG reminiscent of modern God of War, filtered through the lens of Chinese mythology."

However, PCGamesN and other reviewers highlight potential drawbacks. Subpar level design, fluctuating difficulty, and occasional technical glitches are recurring criticisms. The narrative's fragmented nature, similar to older FromSoftware titles, requiring players to piece together the story through item descriptions, is another point of contention.

Importantly, all early access reviews are based solely on the PC version; console reviews (specifically for PS5) are yet to emerge.

Review Guidelines Controversy

The release has been overshadowed by a controversy surrounding review guidelines allegedly issued by one of the co-publishers. A document reportedly instructed streamers and reviewers to avoid certain topics, including "violence, nudity, feminist propaganda, fetishization, and other content that instigates negative discourse."

This has sparked significant debate. While some dismiss the guidelines, others express concern about censorship and the potential impact on genuine critical analysis. One Twitter (X) user commented, highlighting the surprising nature of the guidelines and the silence from creators who received them.

Despite the controversy, pre-release Steam statistics indicate immense anticipation, with the game currently topping both sales and wishlist charts. While the lack of console reviews remains a reservation for some, Black Myth: Wukong is poised for a major launch.