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

Since its debut trailer, Black Myth: Wukong has generated immense anticipation. Initial critical response is largely positive, with an 82 Metascore on Metacritic based on 54 reviews.

Reviewers praise the game's exceptional action gameplay, emphasizing its precise and engaging combat system, particularly its well-crafted boss battles. The stunning visuals and hidden secrets within its richly detailed world also garner significant praise. The game's adaptation of the Journey to the West mythology receives positive feedback, with GamesRadar+ describing it as "a fun action RPG reminiscent of modern God of War games, but filtered through the lens of Chinese mythology."

However, criticisms exist. PCGamesN, while considering it a potential Game of the Year contender, points out potential drawbacks including uneven level design, challenging difficulty spikes, and occasional technical glitches. The narrative structure, similar to older FromSoftware titles, requiring players to piece together the story through item descriptions, also draws some criticism.

Importantly, initial reviews are exclusively for the PC version; console performance, particularly on PS5, remains unreviewed.

Review Guidelines Controversy

A co-publisher's distribution of review guidelines to streamers and publications has ignited controversy. These guidelines reportedly restricted discussion of "violence, nudity, feminist propaganda, fetishization, and other content that instigates negative discourse." This has provoked strong reactions, with some questioning the guidelines' appropriateness and others expressing indifference.

Despite this controversy, Black Myth: Wukong remains highly anticipated, currently holding the top spot for both best-selling and most wishlisted games on Steam before its official release. While the lack of console reviews creates some uncertainty, the game appears poised for a significant launch.