Save your money and run away!!
What is easily one of the most frustrating gaming experiences I've encountered in years. If you're considering purchasing this game, let me give you a straightforward piece of advice: save your money and run away. This game is unnecessarily and ridiculously difficult, and unfortunately, it doesn't provide any options to adjust the difficulty or ease players into its mechanics.
One of the most glaring issues with Black Myth: Wukong is its refusal to cater to a broader audience. From the very beginning, you're thrown into an unforgiving world with little explanation or support to understand the game's mechanics. There's no option to adjust the difficulty, meaning that if you're not an expert in challenging action-RPGs, you'll likely find yourself stuck, frustrated, and questioning why you even bothered to play. A good game should balance challenge and accessibility, but Black Myth: Wukong seems to have missed the memo entirely.
It's a shame because the game's visuals and sound design are absolutely stunning. The graphics are some of the best I've ever seen, with breathtaking environments, detailed character models, and incredible visual effects that make it clear the developers poured a lot of time and effort into the game's presentation. Similarly, the sound design is exceptional, with immersive audio that draws you into the world. But as impressive as these elements are, they feel completely wasted when paired with a game that fails to deliver an enjoyable experience. What's the point of all this eye and ear candy if the core gameplay is such a chore?
Another major disappointment is the level design and exploration. In a game like this, you'd expect to be drawn into its world, eager to discover every hidden corner and secret. Unfortunately, that's not the case here. The levels feel uninspired and lack a sense of cohesion or excitement. There's no real incentive to explore because the world just doesn't feel engaging or rewarding. It's hard to stay motivated to push forward when every step feels like a slog through poorly designed environments.
The story, while loosely inspired by the legendary tale of Journey to the West, also fails to leave a lasting impression. While the premise and themes have potential, the execution feels shallow and uninspired. The game doesn't do enough to make you care about the protagonist's journey or the challenges he faces. This lack of emotional connection makes the experience feel even more hollow.
What's truly baffling is how the game manages to fall short despite such promising elements. The idea of a game based on Journey to the West is intriguing, and the developers clearly had the resources to create something special. Instead, they've delivered a product that feels unbalanced and incomplete. It's the kind of game that looks incredible in trailers but leaves you deeply disappointed once you actually start playing.
I'm genuinely relieved that this game didn't win Game of the Year 2024 because it simply doesn't deserve the recognition. It's a textbook example of style over substance, prioritizing flashy graphics and sound over gameplay that's actually fun or engaging. If the developers had focused more on accessibility, polish, and thoughtful design, this could have been a masterpiece. Instead, it's a missed opportunity that will leave many players frustrated and regretful.
In conclusion, Black Myth: Wukong is a game that I cannot recommend. No matter how visually stunning it may be, the lack of accessibility, uninspired level design, and punishing difficulty make it a miserable experience for all but the most hardcore players. If you're looking for a game that combines beautiful visuals with engaging gameplay, you'd be better off looking elsewhere. Save your money, save your time, and save yourself the frustration. This game simply isn't worth it.
