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

After a four-year wait since its 2020 announcement, Black Myth: Wukong is finally here! Read on for a summary of early reviews and the controversy surrounding them.

Black Myth: Wukong's Arrival

PC Exclusive (For Now)

Since its debut trailer in 2020, Black Myth: Wukong has generated immense hype, and initial critical reception is largely positive. The game boasts an 82 Metascore on Metacritic based on 54 reviews.

Reviewers praise the game's exceptional action gameplay, emphasizing its precise and engaging combat system, complemented by brilliantly designed boss fights. The stunning visuals and hidden secrets within its beautiful world are also frequently highlighted.

Drawing inspiration from the classic Chinese tale, Journey to the West, the game's interpretation of Sun Wukong's adventures has been well-received. GamesRadar+, for instance, described it as "a fun action RPG that feels like the modern God of War games viewed through the lens of Chinese mythology."

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

Importantly, all early access reviews are based on the PC version; console reviews (particularly for PS5) are still pending.

Controversial Review Guidelines

(Image from SteamDB)

Reports emerged over the weekend detailing a controversial document distributed by one of Black Myth: Wukong's co-publishers to reviewers and streamers. This document allegedly contained "Do's and Don'ts," restricting discussion of "violence, nudity, feminist propaganda, fetishization, and other content that instigates negative discourse."

This has sparked considerable debate within the gaming community. While some criticize the guidelines as overly restrictive, others express no concerns.

Despite this controversy, anticipation for Black Myth: Wukong remains high. Steam statistics show it's currently the best-selling and most wishlisted game on the platform prior to release. While the lack of console reviews remains a caveat, the game is poised for a significant launch.