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

After a four-year wait since its 2020 debut announcement, Black Myth: Wukong is finally here, and initial reviews are in—though not without controversy. Read on for a summary of the critical reception and the ongoing discussion surrounding review guidelines.

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

Since its initial 2020 trailer, Black Myth: Wukong has generated significant buzz. Early critical reception is largely positive, with a current Metacritic score of 82 based on 54 reviews.

Reviewers praise the game's exceptional action gameplay, emphasizing its precise and engaging combat system and well-crafted boss fights. The stunning visuals and hidden secrets within its richly detailed world are also frequently highlighted. The game’s interpretation of the Journey to the West mythology has also garnered positive attention, with GamesRadar+ describing it as "a fun action RPG that feels like a modern God of War game through a Chinese mythological lens."

However, PCGamesN and other sources point out potential drawbacks, including uneven level design, fluctuating difficulty, and occasional technical glitches. The narrative structure, similar to older FromSoftware titles, has also been criticized for its fragmented storytelling, requiring players to piece together the plot through item descriptions. It's important to note that all early access review copies were for PC; console performance (specifically on PS5) remains unreviewed.

Controversial Review Guidelines Surface

Over the weekend, reports emerged that a co-publisher distributed a document outlining guidelines for streamers and reviewers, containing a list of "dos and don'ts." These guidelines reportedly restricted discussion of "violence, nudity, feminist propaganda, fetishization, and other content that instigates negative discourse."

This has sparked considerable debate within the gaming community. While some users express concern over these guidelines, others have voiced no objections. One Twitter (X) user commented, "It is WILD to me that this actually made it out the door. These guidelines had to have gone past multiple people/departments. Also, creators casually signing this and not speaking up is just as wild, unfortunately just less surprising…"

Despite this controversy, Black Myth: Wukong remains highly anticipated. Steam sales data indicates it's currently the best-selling and most wishlisted game on the platform before its official release. While the lack of console reviews presents a caveat, the game appears poised for a significant launch.