After a four-year wait since its 2020 announcement, reviews for Black Myth: Wukong are finally here, sparking debate alongside a controversy over review guidelines. Read on for a summary of critical reception and the ongoing discussion.
Black Myth: Wukong Nears Launch – PC Only (So Far)
Since its initial 2020 trailer, Black Myth: Wukong has generated considerable excitement. 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 precise and engaging combat complemented by brilliantly designed boss encounters. The stunning visuals and hidden secrets within its richly detailed world also receive high marks. The game's adaptation of Journey to the West 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 uneven level design, abrupt difficulty spikes, and occasional technical glitches. The narrative structure, similar to older FromSoftware titles, is also criticized for its fragmented storytelling, requiring players to piece together the lore from item descriptions. Importantly, all early access reviews are based solely on the PC version; console performance (particularly on PS5) remains unreviewed.
Controversial Review Guidelines Surface
(Image from SteamDB) Reports emerged of a document distributed by one of Black Myth: Wukong's co-publishers to streamers and reviewers, outlining "Do's and Don'ts" for their coverage. The guidelines allegedly prohibited discussion of "violence, nudity, feminist propaganda, fetishization, and other content that instigates negative discourse," triggering significant debate within the gaming community. While some users on Twitter (X) expressed concern over the guidelines and the apparent compliance of some creators, others voiced no objection.
Despite this controversy, anticipation for Black Myth: Wukong remains high. Steam sales data shows it currently holds the top spot as both the best-selling and most wishlisted game before its release. While the lack of console reviews presents a caveat, the game appears poised for a substantial launch.
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