Games

Black Myth: Wukong PS5 Looks Beautiful On Unreal Engine 5

Monkey King, Wukong, in Black Myth: Wukong PS5

Credit: Game Science

Black Myth: Wukong is coming to PS5, Xbox Series X and PC. And, graphics wise, it looks insanely good running on Unreal Engine 5. If you’ve been waiting for a game that shows what true potential there is in next-gen hardware, Black Myth: Wukong could be it.

So, what is Black Myth: Wukong? It’s based on the 16th century Chinese novel, Journey to the West. And Black Myth: Wukong puts you in the shoes of the Monkey King, Wukong, as he battles Chinese mythological creatures and monsters. Developer Game Science have recently transitioned the game from Unreal Engine 4 to Unreal Engine 5. And boy, does it bring Wukong’s world to life in jaw-dropping detail.

Black Myth: Wukong has the potential to be to Chinese mythology what 2018’s God of War was to Norse mythology. That being said, let’s run down what we know about it so far!

Black Myth: Wukong PS5 Gameplay Trailer

Wukong battles a dragon in Black Myth: Wukong PS5.
Wukong battles a dragon. Credit: Game Science

On August 20th, Game Science released a brand new 12 minute gameplay trailer for Black Myth: Wukong. The trailer not only introduces us to the world and mythology of the game, but it shows off some incredible looking Unreal Engine 5 action, too.

The trailer opens with a caveat stating: “Everything you about to see [sic] was captured in-game running in real-time work in progress – does not represent the final look of the game.”

Of course, should a graphical downgrade or gameplay change happen prior to launch, Game Science want to protect themselves. And while this trailer may not ultimately be representative of the final product, it sets a high bar. One that Game Science will hopefully strive to deliver on. And if they do, Black Myth: Wukong PS5 will please a lot of players.

Black Myth: Wukong Graphics

The first thing we see in the new gameplay trailer are stunning clips of the landscapes and architecture of Black Myth: Wukong. The level of detail on display is pretty mind-boggling. Unreal Engine 5 is clearly putting in the work.

Temple and statues in Black Myth: Wukong PS5.
Screenshot from the new trailer. Credit: Game Science.

We see temples packed to the brim with exquisitely detailed Buddhist and Chinese folk statues, gloriously lush landscapes and nature, and some seriously impressive snow physics. The graphics are truly a sight to behold.

Creatures

Being a game centred on Chinese mythology, we see many weird and wonderful creatures in the gameplay trailer. All are rendered in fantastic detail.

The first we get a look at is a man with no head playing a musical instrument. There’s also a goateed man with the body of a bird, a traditional Chinese electric dragon, and numerous monkey-like humanoid creatures. One of which being the protagonist, Wukong, the Monkey King. And this glimpse into the eccentric world of mythological creatures really excites me to see more.

Souls-like Gameplay

Black Myth: Wukong has been described as “Souls-like”. That is, a game with mechanics similar to Souls series games like Demon’s Souls and Dark Souls. And they are famed for their high level of difficulty and vast array of bosses.

Wukong wearing armor in Black Myth: Wukong PS5.
Wukong in Black Myth: Wukong. Credit: Game Science.

Also similar to Souls games is Black Myth: Wukong‘s emphasis on melee combat. In the trailer we see Wukong battle various enemies and a couple of bosses with his legendary magical staff, Ruyi Jingu Bang. The Ruyi Bang can grow and shrink to its owner’s whim and weighs an immense 17,550 lbs.

Black Myth: Wukong Release Date

When is Black Myth: Wukong coming out? No specific release date has been confirmed, but it is scheduled to arrive in 2023.

Even though it’s a couple of years away, we can’t wait to see more of Black Myth: Wukong PS5.

Do you think Black Myth: Wukong will meet expectations? Let us know in the comment section and don’t forget to check out our other gaming articles…

Sam Harby

About Author

Sam is one of the editors and founders of Downtime Bros and an accredited critic. As a lifelong fan of video games, his favourites are Metal Gear Solid and The Last of Us. With years of knowledge and critical analysis under his belt, he has written hundreds of articles - including news, guides, and reviews - covering video games, movies, TV, and pop culture. Follow him on Twitter and check out his reviews on OpenCritic.

1 Comment

  1. 6 Exciting Games Launching in the Second Half of 2024

    24 August 2021 11:09 BST

    […] In August, we’ll finally get our hands on Black Myth: Wukong which I first wrote about back in 2021. […]

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