Black Myth: Wukong has generated excitement among players who are eager to explore a world inspired by Chinese mythology, but the question remains: is this highly-anticipated action RPG a Soulslike?
Black Myth: Wukong, which was announced with a viral gameplay trailer in 2020, has piqued the interest of the gaming world since its development by Chinese studio Game Science.
Despite its upcoming release on August 20, 2024 for PC and PlayStation 5, one question remains unanswered: Does Black Myth: Wukong fall under the popular Soulslike genre, which includes titles such as Elden Ring, Lies of P, and many others?
Black Myth: Wukong – Understanding the Soulslike Genre
Despite the developers’ claims, Black Myth: Wukong has been compared to Souls games due to its similar combat and design elements. This has led many to classify it as a Soulslike, even though the developers do not see it that way.
It is not surprising that many would classify Black Myth: Wukong as a Soulslike, given its action-packed combat mechanics that rely on stamina for strikes and dodges.
Additionally, there are Shrines that function as checkpoints and replenish your health and healing flasks, much like Bonfires in Dark Souls or Sites of Grace in Elden Ring.
Despite these similarities, there are also notable differences between the two games. One notable difference is that the game features a single main weapon, a staff called Ruyi Jingu Bang, instead of offering a variety of weapons for players to customize their builds around. Additionally, the game’s levels are more linear in design, a departure from the complex, maze-like layouts found in games like Dark Souls.
Some have claimed that it is slightly less difficult compared to other Soulslikes, and it even grants players the ability to pause during gameplay, suggesting a more lenient style than the usual Soulslike games.
According to Eurogamer, Game Science has announced that the upcoming game will be more accessible for players. They stated their intention to provide players with a variety of spells and transformations to ease the difficulty and make the game less punishing, allowing players to fully experience the story and battles.
Additionally, similar to numerous non-Soulslike RPGs, Black Myth: Wukong features a skill tree that enables players to access new options.
Considering all of this, it is understandable why numerous players have drawn comparisons between Black Myth: Wukong and a Soulslike, despite the fact that the developers do not perceive it as such.
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