Black Myth: Wukong Awaits Scrutiny Under New Guidelines

Black Myth: Wukong: Early Access Impressions and Controversy

Four years after its 2020 announcement, Black Myth: Wukong is finally here (at least, on PC). Initial reviews are largely positive, with the game boasting an 82 Metascore on Metacritic based on 54 critic reviews. Reviewers praise the engaging, precise combat, stunning visuals, and captivating exploration of a richly detailed world steeped in Chinese mythology, specifically the Journey to the West. GamesRadar+ even compared it favorably to the God of War series, describing it as "a fun action RPG that feels like the modern God of War games viewed through the lens of Chinese mythology."

However, the overwhelmingly positive reception isn't without caveats. PCGamesN, among others, highlights potential dealbreakers for some players, including subpar level design, uneven difficulty, and occasional technical glitches. The narrative, similar to older FromSoftware titles, is also noted for its fragmented nature, requiring players to piece together the story through item descriptions. Importantly, all early access reviews are based solely on the PC version; console performance remains unreviewed.

Controversial Review Guidelines

Adding to the pre-launch buzz is a controversy surrounding review guidelines reportedly issued by one of Black Myth: Wukong's co-publishers. These guidelines allegedly restrict discussion of "violence, nudity, feminist propaganda, fetishization, and other content that instigates negative discourse," sparking heated debate among players. While some criticize the guidelines as censorship, others express no concern.

Despite the controversy, pre-release hype remains high. Black Myth: Wukong currently holds the top spot as both the best-selling and most wishlisted game on Steam. While the lack of console reviews might temper expectations for some, the game appears poised for a significant launch.