For years, I watched the stunning trailers for Black Myth: Wukong with a mix of awe and detached curiosity, never fully committing to figuring out what kind of game it truly was. Now, in 2026, with the game finally in my hands and over sixteen hours of play across three chapters behind me, I can no longer hide behind that ignorance. The question of whether it's a Soulslike or an Action RPG feels increasingly irrelevant, because the experience has carved out its own unique and spectacular identity.
🎮 The Combat: A Cinematic Dance of Staff and Sorcery
The Soulslike comparisons are inevitable at first glance. The UI, the Buddhist shrines serving as checkpoints (which respawn foes when used), and the demanding, timing-based combat all feel familiar. Punishment for mistimed dodges or panic-rolling is swift. Yet, the deeper I ventured, the more those familiar markers faded into the background, replaced by something far more flamboyant and personally empowering.
The combat system is phenomenally flashy. It's built around a deep progression system with skill trees spanning stances, magic, transformations, and foundational abilities. I didn't feel like a struggling undead; I felt like a legendary martial arts master from the very beginning. Unlocking moves like a spinning staff technique that deflects projectiles as I advance, or a heavy attack where my monkey somersaults into the air, absorbs damage, and crashes down with an extended staff blow, created moments of pure, unadulterated power fantasy.
Yes, the stakes remain high. I've let out audible groans when a bit of jank caused a heavy attack to whiff or when a boss's grab attack seemed to magnetize me from an unfair distance. However, the health bar is more forgiving than in a typical Soulsborne title, allowing more room for spectacular, aggressive play. While there are RPG stats for critical hits and resistances, the focus is squarely on mastering your arsenal—primarily the staff and spear—and the vast array of abilities at your disposal. The option to experiment with different spell and transformation builds for specific encounters adds a wonderful strategic layer.
🌄 A World to Explore, Not Just a Gauntlet to Run
A common misconception I need to dispel is that Black Myth: Wukong is merely a boss rush game. While the boss density is indeed higher than average, the game offers substantial and rewarding exploration. Chapter 1 feels more guided, with distant vistas often serving as beautiful backdrops. But Chapter 2 opens up dramatically into a vast, sprawling desert realm.
Here, I truly felt the scale. Most of the stunning sights I saw were places I could actually travel to. I occasionally found myself pleasantly lost among winding paths, crumbling forts, and monasteries nestled in harsh rock formations. Every detour yielded rewards: eccentric NPCs with their own tales, serene meditation spots, hidden lore entries, and, of course, optional mini-bosses. The environmental design is breathtaking, making exploration a joy in itself.
📜 A Cultural Revelation Forged in China
Perhaps the most significant and unique aspect of Black Myth: Wukong is its authentic cultural heart. As someone who has played an embarrassing amount of Dynasty Warriors and titles like Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, it's incredibly refreshing to experience a major game set in China that doesn't revolve around the well-trodden Three Kingdoms era.
This game is a passionate adaptation of Journey to the West, crafted by developers for whom this story is foundational cultural heritage. While there have been other adaptations, they were largely made by Japanese or Western studios. Here, the culture speaks for itself with profound authenticity. The wealth of Buddhist iconography, the gorgeous animated interludes between chapters, the poetry woven into item descriptions, the eccentric cast of characters, and the beautifully delivered Mandarin voice acting (which I strongly recommend over the... interesting English dub) create an immersive experience that feels genuinely novel.
⚡ Final Verdict: A Mythical Beast of Its Own Making
So, does Black Myth: Wukong owe a debt to FromSoftware's legacy? Certainly. But to label it merely as a "Soulslike" is a massive disservice. It synthesizes those influences with spectacular, cinematic combat, meaningful exploration, and an unparalleled cultural presentation to become its own mythological beast. The sensation of playing it is closer to the epic, set-piece-driven adventures of modern God of War, but with a combat depth and world structure that encourages mastery. If the game maintains this relentless momentum and polish through to its conclusion, we are not just looking at a great game—we are looking at a definitive Game of the Year contender for 2026. It's a landmark title that finally lets one of the world's great mythologies speak in its own, powerful voice.