'Black Myth: Wukong' PS5 review in progress: A potential masterpiece

Black Myth: Wukong wants to be the modern action RPG we’ve all been waiting for. It checks all the right boxes: fast-paced combat, visually stunning environments, and boss fights that demand your full attention. Yet, after clocking 10 hours, it's clear that GameScience's lofty ambitions might be more than they can handle. The game teeters on the edge of greatness, but it’s not quite there — at least not yet.

Performance issues have been a recurring theme in the reviews of Black Myth: Wukong, particularly on PC, where other outlets have already raised red flags. I was fortunate to receive a PlayStation code, though it's worth noting that this version was conspicuously absent from the early review cycle before the game’s Aug. 20 release.

Adding to the list of concerns, the game’s release came with a set of coverage guidelines specifically aimed at content creators — guidelines that conveniently sidestepped the studio’s alleged history of sexism. Journalists were left out of this directive, but the very existence of these restrictions left a bad taste, making it hard to separate the game from the kind of weird controversy surrounding its development.

Despite the outside controversies and the performance stumbles, stepping into the world of Black Myth: Wukong was nothing short of a mind-blowing experience. The awe didn't fade, even when combat encounters occasionally tested my patience. While there are a few issues I'll delve into later, there's no denying that Black Myth is a genuine game-of-the-year contender. With just a bit more polish, it could have easily earned its place as a classic of the decade.

Black Myth: Wukong plot

Based on my playthrough so far, Black Myth: Wukong doesn’t offer much in the way of a dense narrative.

Credit: GameScience

You take on the role of The Destined One, a mute monkey who suddenly sets out on a quest to retrieve the six relics of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King. I initially thought this would be a loose adaptation of Journey to the West, but instead, the story begins long after those famous travels, taking place several centuries after the adventures of Sun Wukong and Tang Sanzang.

The game is structured into six chapters, each punctuated by beautifully designed animations that narrate the story of that chapter’s main character.

The moment-to-moment gameplay is rich with environmental storytelling and packed with references to Journey to the West, most of which flew right over my head. My only familiarity with the novel comes from Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball, which is loosely inspired by it. Yet, even with my limited knowledge of the source material, the game’s visually stunning arenas drew me in, making me eager to explore every corner and craft my own little narratives within its beautifully rendered world.

It’s always gratifying to stray off the beaten path and have my curiosity rewarded. While grappling with a particularly stubborn mini-boss, I decided to explore a side area near a checkpoint. This detour led me to an entirely different boss arena where I faced off against the Toad Guai, Baw-Li-Guhh-Lang. This unexpected discovery then guided me to another mini-boss, Guangzhi, whose defeat granted me the in-game abilities I needed to finally conquer the mini-boss that had been giving me so much trouble.

Black Myth: Wukong gameplay & performance

Combat in Black Myth is all about fluidity, with a heavy focus on managing your mana and focus meters.

Credit: GameScience

Mana is used to cast spells like immobilize, which does exactly what it sounds like, and cloud step, a move that creates a misty clone to distract enemies, setting you up for a devastating stealth attack. The focus meter is equally crucial, filling up with quick, light attacks and perfectly timed dodges.

These focus points can be spent on various combat techniques or to refill your health. The overall combat experience is a twitchy, dodge-centric affair that will feel familiar to Souls fans, but it’s also distinctly stylized with wuxia-inspired martial arts, making every encounter feel like a cinematic showdown.

There’s a lot of debate around whether Black Myth can be classified as a Souls-like. On the surface, the combat does follow a familiar formula — dodge, dodge, attack, dodge — but the game feels more like a hybrid of several influences. From my experience, Black Myth is a unique fusion, combining elements of FromSoftware’s Sekiro, Platinum Games’ Bayonetta, and the indie cult-favorite Furi into something entirely its own.

Black Myth incorporates some classic elements you’d expect from a Souls game — stamina management and enemies that respawn when you rest at a checkpoint. But it doesn’t go full Souls-like on you. Death here is more of a minor setback than a crippling blow, and you’re not forced to reclaim lost loot.

The upgrade system is simpler, too, and it’s kept separate from buying other resources, unlike the all-in-one currency system in Souls games. And while Souls-likes are known for their mix of intense boss battles and expansive areas filled with a variety of enemies, Black Myth opts for a different approach, more reminiscent of Furi, where you’re thrown from one boss encounter to the next.

Black Myth runs fairly well on the PlayStation 5, but you can tell it’s really pushing the hardware. There are noticeable stutters in cutscenes, and textures on the map frequently load in and out, which can be jarring. It’s a bit of a trip — you’re taking in the lush forests or vast deserts, and suddenly a frog pops into existence only to disappear moments later. So far, I’ve been lucky not to encounter any game-breaking bugs, and even in performance mode, the framerate stays smooth. But these visual hiccups are a reminder that the game is still somewhat poorly optimized.

Is Black Myth: Wukong worth it?

I know this is still a work in progress, but after sinking several hours into Chapters 1 and 2, Black Myth: Wukong is shaping up to be a game you simply can’t miss.

Credit: Game Science

Despite the unfortunate controversies surrounding it, the world crafted by GameScience is a stunning tribute to the mythology and lore of China and Journey to the West. If that doesn’t win you over, let me just say this: the game is incredibly fun to play. That alone should speak volumes.

Each chapter is brimming with secrets to uncover, making this roughly 40-hour journey well worth its $60 price tag.