Summary
- Get ready for stunning graphics and Chinese mythology in Black Myth: Wukong.
- Performance issues may require some patience for bug fixes post-release.
- Don't expect an open world experience like Elden Ring, but enjoy the ample space to explore.
Black Myth: Wukong is one of the most anticipated games of the last few years. Ever since it was announced back in 2020, it has garnered a lot of attention for its beautiful graphics, unique concept, and strong reliance on Chinese mythology. It's also the first AAA game with a multi-million budget made by a Chinese developer, so there's a lot of hype for that, too.
Black Myth: Wukong - How Long To Beat
Uncover how long it takes to complete Black Myth: Wukong. Whether you focus on the main story or explore everything, your playtime will vary.
Luckily, the wait is over, as Black Myth: Wukong has finally been released, and it immediately received all kinds of praise from both critics and gamers alike. That said, there are many misconceptions and issues that have arisen since the title's release that should be addressed. As such, here are some things to know before picking up Black Myth: Wukong.
5 Performance Issues
The Game Still Needs A Few Patches
- There are a few bugs that need to be addressed.
- Players might want to wait until these issues have been fixed before purchasing this title.
Black Myth: Wukong is visually stunning, there's no denying that. Even from the early showcases of the game, the graphics looked crisp, well-balanced, and offered an attractive color palette, complementing the game's aesthetics very well. Before the game was released, many players already knew that, even with DLSS, they'd have to own pretty powerful PCs to get a smooth experience with the Max settings.
God-tier PCs, however, don't seem to be enough to deal with some of the performance hiccups gamers have encountered while playing Black Myth: Wukong. This, of course, is to be expected with almost any game during its first few days, and as long as the issues aren't breaking the gaming experience, it shouldn't be too serious. However, players who want the best experience possible might want to wait a few days or even weeks for developers to patch any bugs present.
4 It's Not An Open World
Elden Ring Players Beware
- Some areas feel like they're open world.
- Players expecting an Elden Ring-like experience might be a little disappointed.
The various trailers that were released since 2020 gave players an in-depth look into what Black Myth: Wukong would look like, but it was still hard to tell whether the game would offer open world features. Now that the title has been released, it's safe to say that, sadly, it doesn't.
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Now, this is not to say the game is bad or that players shouldn't pick it up based solely on this. Besides, while there's no actual open world exploration as players would see in titles like Elden Ring, there are many areas that feel like they're part of an open world, providing players with a considerable amount of space for them to roam freely.
3 Playtime Is Decent
100% Completion Might Leave Some Players Wanting More
- Main game completion time is around 15 hours.
- 100% completion time is around 32 hours.
Trailers and early showcases often create a certain set of expectations in players' minds when it comes to games. When it was first announced, Black Myth: Wukong appeared to feature a vast, complex world full of life, enemies, and areas to explore. And while the game keeps and exceeds most of the promises it made, players looking for an extremely long gaming experience might be a little underwhelmed.
Now, before causing the wrong impression, it's important to clarify that Black Myth: Wukong's main game lasts about 15 hours, which is great compared to other titles that don't even reach the 10-hour mark. At the same time, 100% completion is expected to take about 32 hours, which, again, is amazing. However, because of the length of similar games, players might be expecting a completion time of over 60 hours, and unfortunately, this isn't the case. In many instances, though, it's quality over quantity, and thus far, the 32 hours it takes to complete the Black Myth: Wukong to the fullest extent do not disappoint in any regard.
2 The Cutscenes Are Beautiful, But They Are Long
There Are Multiple Hours Worth Of Them
- Some players might not love the three hours worth of cutscenes.
- The cutscenes add beautifully to the story but, sometimes, interrupt the game's pace.
The topic of cutscenes within video games has long been a subject of debate. Some players love them, while others complain constantly about feeling like they're watching a movie more than they're playing a video game. Both points are valid, as there are different strokes for different folks. That said, how much is objectively too much?
Black Myth: Wukong - All Editions and Pre-Order Bonuses Explained
Game Science's upcoming Soulslike Black Myth: Wukong has several different editions arriving at launch, each with its own specific bonuses.
As mentioned earlier, Black Myth: Wukong's main game takes around 15 hours of playtime to complete, whereas 100% completion takes roughly 32. All in all, the game has a little over 3 hours-worth of cutscenes, and while they're visually beautiful, they do represent 20% of the main game's duration and nearly 10% of the overall content. Gamers who enjoy games like the new God of War or Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 will likely not have a problem with this, but for those who prefer minimal non-playable time, the amount of cutscenes featured in Black Myth: Wukong might be irritating.
1 The Game Is Not A Soulslike
Black Myth: Wukong Is Far More Lenient
- Players don't lose all their skill points upon dying.
- Bosses and enemies are challenging, but they are not as tough as those from the Souls series.
- Upgrading can be done from anywhere in the world, not just at rest spots.
Last but not least, it's important to discuss what has probably been one of the biggest questions regarding this game for years. Is it a true Soulslike? Well, the answer is yes and no. Black Myth: Wukong can somewhat be considered a Soulslike due to the many bosses spread around the world, the combat mechanics being heavily based on dodging, the lack of an option to adjust the difficulty, and the overall concept of the game.
However, this title is considerably more lenient with mistakes and dying than any of FromSoftware's games. For one, dying doesn't result in players losing their entire skill point pool. Also, upgrading and leveling up is possible from anywhere in the world, not just at rest spots. On top of that, bosses, while challenging, aren't as frustrating or hard to master as those in the Souls series. Weapon variety also matters when determining whether a game is a Soulslike or not. The Destined One's staff is fun to use, and it's a great weapon once mastered, but unlike the Souls series' games, Black Myth: Wukong has no other weapons to choose from.
Black Myth: Wukong
- Released
- August 20, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Game Science
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
