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 (at least on PC)! Early reviews are in, revealing a game that largely lives up to the hype, but also sparking debate due to controversial review guidelines.

Black Myth: Wukong: A PC Launch

The initial buzz surrounding Black Myth: Wukong, fueled by its impressive 2020 trailer, has largely been validated. The game boasts an 82 Metascore on Metacritic (based on 54 critic reviews), indicating a generally positive reception.

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 beautifully realized world also earn high marks. The game's interpretation of the Chinese mythology of Journey to the West is frequently lauded, with GamesRadar+ describing it as "a fun action RPG that feels like a modern God of War game filtered through Chinese mythology."

However, PCGamesN, among others, points out potential drawbacks. Subpar level design, uneven difficulty, and occasional technical glitches are recurring criticisms. The narrative structure, similar to older FromSoftware titles, requires players to actively piece together the story through item descriptions, which might deter some. Crucially, all initial reviews are based on the PC version; console performance (specifically on PS5) remains unassessed.

Controversial Review Guidelines

Controversy erupted over the weekend with reports of review guidelines issued by one of Black Myth: Wukong's co-publishers. This document reportedly restricted discussion of "violence, nudity, feminist propaganda, fetishization, and other content that instigates negative discourse." This has ignited a heated debate, with some criticizing the guidelines as censorship, while others express indifference.

Despite this controversy, Black Myth: Wukong's popularity is undeniable. It currently holds the top spot as both the best-selling and most wishlisted game on Steam prior to release. While the lack of console reviews presents a caveat, the game's launch appears poised for significant success.