After a four-year wait since its 2020 announcement, Black Myth: Wukong is finally here! Initial reviews are in, sparking discussion alongside a controversy surrounding review guidelines. Let's dive into the details.

Black Myth: Wukong Launches – PC Only (For Now)

The anticipation surrounding Black Myth: Wukong, ignited by its 2020 trailer, has largely been met with positive critical reception. 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, particularly its well-crafted boss battles. The stunning visuals and hidden secrets within its captivating world are also highlighted. The game's interpretation of the Journey to the West mythology 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 out potential drawbacks: subpar level design, fluctuating difficulty, and occasional technical glitches. The narrative, similar to older FromSoftware titles, is considered disjointed, requiring players to delve into item descriptions for a complete understanding. Importantly, all early access reviews are for the PC version; console performance (specifically on PS5) remains unreviewed.

Controversial Review Guidelines Surface

(Image source: SteamDB)

A document containing review guidelines, allegedly issued by one of the game's co-publishers, has sparked considerable debate. These guidelines reportedly restrict discussion of "violence, nudity, feminist propaganda, fetishization, and other content that instigates negative discourse," leading to mixed reactions within the community. While some criticize the guidelines as overly restrictive, others express no concern.

Despite this controversy, Black Myth: Wukong remains highly anticipated. Its strong Steam sales figures, topping both best-selling and most wishlisted games before launch, underscore this anticipation. While the lack of console reviews creates some uncertainty, the game's launch appears poised for significant success.