Black Myth: Wukong Early Impressions Are Out Amid Review Guidelines Controversy

After a four-year wait since its 2020 announcement, Black Myth: Wukong is finally here, and initial reviews are in! This article delves into the critical reception and a recent controversy surrounding review guidelines.

Black Myth: Wukong's Arrival (PC Only, for Now)

Since its debut trailer in 2020, Black Myth: Wukong has generated considerable excitement. Early critical response is largely positive, with 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 in its well-crafted boss battles. The stunning visuals and hidden secrets within its beautiful world also receive high marks. The game's interpretation of the Chinese mythological tale, Journey to the West, 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 and other sources point out potential drawbacks, including subpar level design, uneven difficulty, and occasional technical glitches. The narrative structure, similar to older FromSoftware titles, requires players to piece together the story through item descriptions, which some find disjointed. Importantly, all initial reviews are based on the PC version; console performance (specifically on PS5) remains unreviewed.

Controversy Surrounding Review Guidelines

(Image from SteamDB)

Reports emerged of a controversial document distributed by one of Black Myth: Wukong's co-publishers to streamers and reviewers. This document allegedly contained "Do's and Don'ts," restricting discussion of "violence, nudity, feminist propaganda, fetishization, and other content that instigates negative discourse." This has sparked heated debate, with some criticizing the guidelines as censorship while others express less concern.

Despite this controversy, anticipation for Black Myth: Wukong remains high. Steam sales data show it currently holds the top spot as both the best-selling and most wishlisted game before its official release. While the lack of console reviews presents a caveat, the game is poised for a significant launch.