Black Myth: Wukong
Steam Description:
Black Myth: Wukong is an action RPG rooted in Chinese mythology. You shall set out as the Destined One to venture into the challenges and marvels ahead, to uncover the obscured truth beneath the veil of a glorious legend from the past.
Summary
Introduction and Overview:
The podcast begins with an introduction to the highly anticipated game "Black Myth: Wukong." The hosts, Paul, Josh, and Ryan, set the stage for a deep dive into the game, discussing their personal expectations and how the game fits into the broader landscape of action RPGs, particularly those inspired by the Souls-like genre.
The hosts share their initial reactions, with Paul being cautiously optimistic, Josh expressing high enthusiasm due to his love for Souls-like games, and Ryan showing a mix of excitement and skepticism given the game’s unique setting in Chinese mythology.
Game Mechanics and Combat:
The discussion quickly moves into the core mechanics of the game. The hosts explore the combat system, which they find both familiar and distinct compared to other games in the genre. The game offers a mix of fast-paced action with strategic elements, requiring players to manage health, stamina, and mana while engaging in intense boss battles.
The game’s stance-based combat system, where players can switch between different stances to alter their fighting style, is highlighted. Each stance offers unique advantages and disadvantages, adding depth to the gameplay. However, the hosts also note that the game doesn’t fully explain some of its mechanics, which can make the learning curve steep.
Josh shares his initial struggle with the game’s difficulty, which he found surprisingly challenging despite his experience with similar games. Ryan echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of timing and precision in combat. Paul, on the other hand, found the game slightly easier than expected but still engaging.
Exploration and Map Design:
A significant portion of the conversation revolves around the game’s exploration elements. Unlike fully open-world games, "Black Myth: Wukong" features large, interconnected areas within each chapter. The lack of a traditional map adds to the challenge, requiring players to rely on memory and environmental cues to navigate.
The hosts express mixed feelings about this design choice. While it enhances immersion and encourages exploration, it can also lead to frustration, especially when trying to backtrack or find specific areas. Ryan shares an anecdote about getting lost in a forest area, highlighting the disorienting nature of some environments.
Graphics and Art Style:
The hosts are unanimous in their praise for the game’s graphics and art direction. They describe "Black Myth: Wukong" as one of the most visually stunning games they’ve ever played, with a particular emphasis on the detailed environments, fluid animations, and dynamic lighting effects.
The game’s use of Unreal Engine 5 is lauded, with the hosts noting how it enhances the visual fidelity and performance. The varied biomes, from dense forests to snowy mountains, each have their unique visual identity, contributing to the game’s overall atmosphere.
The cutscenes, which use different animation styles between chapters, are also highlighted as a creative and effective storytelling tool. These cutscenes, which range from traditional animation to claymation, add emotional depth and help break up the gameplay.
Boss Fights:
Boss battles are a major focus of the game and the podcast discussion. The hosts talk about the game’s extensive roster of bosses, each offering unique challenges. They note the satisfaction of overcoming difficult bosses, though they also express some frustration with the length and repetition of certain fights.
Josh and Ryan discuss the importance of using the right strategies and abilities for each boss, including the use of spells and transformations. Paul emphasizes the importance of combo finishers and heavy attacks, which are crucial for dealing significant damage to bosses.
Storytelling and Narrative:
While the main storyline is somewhat minimalistic, the podcast hosts appreciate the game’s storytelling approach. The narrative is primarily conveyed through environmental storytelling, cutscenes, and the lore of the world, rather than through extensive dialogue or exposition.
The inter-chapter cutscenes are particularly praised for their creativity and emotional impact. Each one is presented in a different artistic style, contributing to the game’s unique identity and helping to flesh out the story in a way that’s both engaging and thought-provoking.
Game Development and Production Insights:
The hosts are impressed by the development story behind "Black Myth: Wukong." Despite being the studio’s first AAA game and having started with a small team, the developers managed to create a polished, high-quality experience that stands out in the crowded gaming market.
They discuss how the game’s initial trailer generated significant interest and led to the rapid growth of the development team. The hosts admire the passion and dedication evident in the game’s design, which they believe is a key factor in its success.
Game of the Year Contention:
As the podcast wraps up, the hosts debate whether "Black Myth: Wukong" could be a contender for Game of the Year. They acknowledge the game’s strengths, including its combat, graphics, and creative storytelling, while also noting some of its weaknesses, such as the pacing and minor technical issues.
Despite some mixed reviews from critics, the hosts agree that the game has a strong chance of being nominated for Game of the Year, particularly due to its unique blend of Chinese mythology, challenging gameplay, and artistic innovation.
Insights Based on Numbers
81% Metacritic Score: Reflects a strong, but somewhat controversial, reception by critics.
95% Steam Rating: Indicates a highly positive reception from players, despite some criticisms.
2.4 Million Concurrent Players: Highlighting the game's immense popularity and impact upon release.
Six Years of Development: Demonstrates the efficiency and dedication of a small development team.