Gameplay Overview

"Black Myth: Wu Kong" is an action RPG that blends physical and magical combat with a robust equipment and progression system. The protagonist wields a magical staff, the Ruyi Jingu Bang, which changes its attack range based on the rhythm of your strikes. Light attacks build up your staff momentum, shown in the bottom right corner of the screen, while heavy attacks consume this momentum.

Combining light and heavy attacks creates powerful combos. If you time a heavy attack just as an enemy is about to strike, you can spend special skill points to unleash a combo with hyper armor, dealing significant damage to your foes.

The protagonist can also jump and dodge, with precise dodging allowing you to create a clone at the moment of impact, avoiding damage and countering immediately. This dodge has no cooldown, enabling you to evade even the most relentless enemy combos. The skill tree offers further upgrades, with future abilities allowing your clone to unleash additional effects.

"Black Myth: Wu Kong" encourages players to mix physical and magical attacks strategically. For instance, you can freeze an enemy in place with a spell and then launch an assault, maximizing damage while staying safe. The timing of your spells is crucial, and using spells like the Shelter Charm to stand in a fire circle while healing from a gourd will restore more health than simply drinking from the gourd alone.

Transformations are another key feature. When the protagonist transforms, he gains access to specific weapons tied to that form—like the fiery blade of the Fire Wolf or the poison-infused attacks of the Bug Man.

While "Black Myth: Wu Kong" shares some system similarities with Souls-like games, the combat experience is entirely unique. The game's mechanics, particularly the staff combat, stand apart from other ARPGs. The staff is typically held in the middle, but depending on the move, the grip and even the length of the staff can change, leading to dynamic shifts in the combat rhythm and animation.

The impact of the staff on enemies feels distinctive, and when combined with the spell system, it creates a combat experience unlike any other action RPG out there. "Black Myth: Wu Kong" truly establishes its own identity in the genre.

Level Design

As of August 22, 2024, the storylines for the first four levels of "Black Myth: Wu Kong" have been revealed, with the final level's plot also leaked by players who have completed the entire game. The first three levels are not given separate titles but are named after their respective bosses: Centipede, Red-Assed Horse Monkey, and Tiger Vanguard. The fourth level is set in the Ziyun Mountain region. In the final level, players must defeat Wukong in his Stone Monkey form and the remnants of the Great Sage's body to officially complete the game. In the end, Wukong's body dissolves, leaving behind the magical staff, which the player inherits, becoming the new Monkey King.

Controls and Combat Techniques

Shadow Step: This is an advanced dodge move that triggers at the exact moment of an enemy's attack, allowing you to gain staff momentum. After learning the relevant skill, it leaves behind an afterimage that explodes, dealing damage to the opponent.

Charged Heavy Strike: You can charge up your heavy strike while moving. With the appropriate skill upgrade, you can even charge while sprinting. This move is typically used to initiate combat, as it’s less practical in the middle of a fight.

Cutting Technique: Similar to the C attack in musou games, this move is performed by following a light attack with a heavy attack.

Boss Combat Strategy

Before engaging a boss, start by charging your heavy attack as you approach. Once fully charged, deliver the first stagger, then follow up with a few quick melee strikes. Wait for the boss to make a move, then use a freezing spell to immobilize them and unleash a full combo. Use spirit essence to deal more damage, and follow up with a transformation to finish the job.

Minion Combat Strategy

When dealing with multiple smaller enemies, prioritize immobilizing the most dangerous ones first, then focus on the easier targets. If you're overwhelmed by the number of enemies, use spirit essence or a transformation to control the crowd and maximize your damage output.