'Black Myth:' Wukong Shines Early Despite Review Spat

After a four-year wait since its 2020 announcement, Black Myth: Wukong is finally here (at least on PC)! Initial reviews are largely positive, but a controversy surrounding review guidelines adds an interesting twist.

Black Myth: Wukong's PC Launch

The game has received an 82 Metascore on Metacritic, based on 54 critic reviews. Reviewers praise the engaging, precise combat system and stunning boss battles. The game's visually impressive world, steeped in Chinese mythology (specifically, Journey to the West), also receives high marks. GamesRadar+ even compared it favorably to the God of War series, describing it as "a fun action RPG viewed through the lens of Chinese mythology."

However, criticism isn't absent. PCGamesN, among others, notes potential dealbreakers like subpar level design, difficulty spikes, and occasional technical issues. The narrative, similar to older FromSoftware titles, is considered disjointed, requiring players to piece together the story through item descriptions.

Importantly, all initial reviews are for the PC version. Console performance (specifically on PS5) remains unreviewed.

Review Guidelines Controversy

The weekend saw reports of controversial review guidelines issued by one of Black Myth: Wukong's co-publishers. These guidelines allegedly restricted discussion of "violence, nudity, feminist propaganda, fetishization, and other content that instigates negative discourse." This has sparked debate, with some criticizing the guidelines as censorship, while others remain unconcerned.

Despite this controversy, the game's popularity is undeniable. It's currently Steam's best-selling and most wishlisted game before its official release. While the lack of console reviews creates some uncertainty, Black Myth: Wukong appears poised for a significant launch.