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

After a four-year wait since its 2020 announcement, reviews for Black Myth: Wukong are finally here, sparking debate alongside their release. Read on for a summary of critical reception and the controversy surrounding review guidelines.

Black Myth: Wukong – A PC Launch

Initially unveiled in 2020, 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, engaging combat system and well-crafted boss battles. The stunning visuals and hidden secrets within its richly detailed world also receive high marks.

Drawing inspiration from Journey to the West, the game's portrayal of Chinese mythology is widely lauded. GamesRadar+, for example, described it as "a fun action RPG that feels like a modern God of War game filtered through the lens of Chinese mythology."

However, PCGamesN's review, while acknowledging its GOTY potential, points out potential drawbacks shared by other critics: subpar level design, uneven difficulty, and occasional technical glitches. The narrative's fragmented structure, similar to older FromSoftware titles, requiring players to piece together the story from item descriptions, is another recurring criticism.

Importantly, all early review copies were for PC. Console performance, specifically on PS5, remains unreviewed.

Review Guidelines Controversy

Reports emerged of controversial guidelines issued by a co-publisher to streamers and reviewers. These guidelines allegedly restricted discussion of "violence, nudity, feminist propaganda, fetishization, and other content that instigates negative discourse," sparking intense debate within the gaming community. Reactions ranged from outrage over the guidelines' existence and acceptance to indifference.

Despite this controversy, Black Myth: Wukong remains highly anticipated. Its Steam sales figures reflect this, currently holding the top spots for both best-selling and most wishlisted games pre-release. While the lack of console reviews introduces some uncertainty, the game's launch appears poised for significant success.