Fans of the challenging Elden Ring can try their luck at Black Myth Wukong. This game is just as charming and challenging as Elden Ring.
What is it with bizarrely difficult games? Some loathe them, others just can’t stop talking about them. Especially when it’s a so-called SoulsLike game like Dark Souls, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor or, of course, Elden Ring.
Recently there has been a newcomer to the field of overly difficult games. Gamers just don’t stop talking about it, and especially the game’s relentless difficulty is the subject of discussion. People with a short fuse had better stay away from this game. Meet Black Myth Wukong.
Black Myth Wukong is the new Elden Ring (almost then).
For the average gamer, the term “SoulsLike” will ring some alarm bells. These games are challenging, unforgiving and actually quite unfair. Yet that didn’t stop Elden Ring from becoming mega popular. The games have a certain appeal, especially because of the feeling of victory when, after endless trying, you finally beat that one final boss.
(image: Game Science)
Black Myth Wukong is right up that alley. The game is based on an ancient Chinese myth. You play as Sun Wukong, an ape-like warrior trying to obtain ancient relics. That’s easier said than done because a whole host of absurdly strong enemies stand in his way.
Like Elden Ring, the game revolves around brawling with large and powerful monsters. Through acquiring skills, weapons and other tools, you may stand a chance of defeating these monsters.
Is Black Myth Wukong more difficult than Elden Ring?
The challenge of SoulsLike games is immediately its greatest charm. Black Myth Wukong, like Elden Ring, is quite difficult. Black Myth Wukong also fits into the mold of so-called “hack-and-slash,” much like games like God of War or Devil May Cry. Yet it does not compare to those titles in terms of difficulty.
For the experienced Elden Ring player, Black Myth Wukong won’t be all that difficult. In fact, the last DLC of Elden Ring is labeled as one of the hardest parts of the entire Dark Souls series. If you finished that one, Black Myth Wukong will be child’s play for you.
For the bulk of players, that’s not the case, and so this game remains nicely challenging. By the way, you don’t have a choice in terms of difficulty either. There is one default difficulty that cannot be adjusted.
Black Myth Wukong is not related to Elden Ring.
Just now I briefly mentioned the term SoulsLike. These games can be characterized as follows: difficult battles that require perfect timing (usually with Stamina points), a certain currency or point type that you earn when you win and lose when you die, and checkpoints that serve as recovery points but also revive enemies.
Black Myth Wukong differs slightly from Elden Ring in this. Yes it is difficult, but the game doesn’t include Stamina points, currency or recovery points that revive enemies. It is more like a traditional RPG, in which you get stronger and unlock new skills as you go along.
There is also no ability to block or parry enemy attacks. You are expected to have much more of an offensive stance, as opposed to the mostly defensive stance SoulsLike games require of you. Even then, Black Myth Wukong is highly recommended for PlayStation 5 or PC. The version on Xbox Series X/S will appear later.
