After a four-year wait since its 2020 announcement, Black Myth: Wukong has finally arrived, and initial reviews are in! This article summarizes the critical reception and addresses the controversy surrounding review guidelines.
Black Myth: Wukong – A PC Launch
Since its debut trailer, Black Myth: Wukong has generated significant buzz. Early reviews are largely positive, with the game currently boasting an 82 Metascore on Metacritic (based on 54 reviews).
Reviewers praise the game's exceptional action gameplay, emphasizing its precise and engaging combat system and well-crafted boss battles. The stunning visuals and hidden secrets within its richly detailed world also receive high marks. The game's interpretation of the Journey to the West mythology is lauded, 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."
However, PCGamesN, among others, points to potential drawbacks that might deter some players. These include inconsistent level design, difficulty spikes, 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 initial reviews are based on the PC version; console reviews (specifically PS5) are pending.
Controversial Review Guidelines
Reports emerged of a co-publisher issuing guidelines to streamers and reviewers, outlining "Do's and Don'ts" that reportedly restricted discussion of "violence, nudity, feminist propaganda, fetishization, and other content that instigates negative discourse." This has sparked considerable debate online, with some criticizing the guidelines as censorship while others express indifference.
Despite the controversy, Black Myth: Wukong remains highly anticipated, currently topping Steam's best-selling and most wishlisted games charts. While the lack of console reviews presents a caveat, the game is poised for a strong launch.
