Game Science's highly anticipated action RPG Black Myth: Wukong has achieved remarkable commercial success, breaking Steam records with over 2.2 million concurrent players and selling 10 million copies across platforms. However, the game's launch has been overshadowed by controversy and mixed reviews.
Controversial Content Guidelines
Prior to release, Game Science issued guidelines to some content creators, prohibiting discussion of topics like feminist propaganda, COVID-19, and Chinese politics. This attempt at controlling the narrative backfired spectacularly, triggering the Streisand effect as streamers deliberately highlighted these subjects in protest.
The guidelines also drew attention to previous reports of sexist comments made by Game Science employees, which the company has refused to address. This has made the game a flashpoint in ongoing debates about representation and conduct in the gaming industry.
Mediocre Gameplay Overshadowed by Visuals
Despite its commercial success, critics have found Black Myth: Wukong's gameplay to be underwhelming. While praised for its stunning visuals and environments inspired by Chinese mythology, the combat system has been described as simplistic and repetitive.
One reviewer noted:
Wukong is a gorgeous game, but its simplistic combat drags down the experience into something that's beautiful to look at but aggressively just OK to play.
The game's narrative and lore have received more positive attention, with detailed bestiary entries likened to fairytales and presented in a traditional woodblock painting style.
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| "The main character of Black Myth: Wukong explores a snowy landscape, reflecting the game's stunning visuals and mythical undertones" |
Technical Issues
Some players have reported performance issues, particularly on the Steam Deck, where the game is not officially certified but has become highly popular. Even at the lowest settings, frame rate drops have been observed in certain areas.
Conclusion
Black Myth: Wukong's launch exemplifies the complex interplay between commercial success, artistic merit, and industry ethics in modern game development. While its financial performance signals the growing global appeal of games rooted in Chinese culture, the controversy surrounding its release and mixed critical reception highlight ongoing challenges in the industry.
As players continue to explore this reimagining of Journey to the West, it remains to be seen whether Black Myth: Wukong's stunning visuals and cultural significance will outweigh its gameplay shortcomings in the long term.