Notes on "Before You Buy: Black Myth: Wukong"

Introduction

• Host: Jake Baldino
• Show Format: Gameplay impressions of new games
• Game Discussed: Black Myth: Wukong
• Developer: Game Science (mobile developer transitioning to console/PC)
• Total Playtime: ~13-14 hours
• Overall Impression: Ambitious debut, enjoyable despite flaws

Game Inspiration

• Based on the 16th-century Chinese novel Journey to the West
• Player character: A monkey with a staff
• Adventure includes fighting various creatures (zombies, dragons, etc.)

Game Structure

• Linear gameplay with diversions
• Not a Soulslike; combines action combat and light RPG elements
  • Basic leveling up and simple loot
  • Character progression via skill tree
• Combat mechanics:
  • Light and heavy attacks; dodging
  • Focus points for powerful attacks
  • Deflect projectiles; perfect dodges yield bonuses

Combat Mechanics

• Stances: Swappable on-the-fly for variation in combat
  • Different heavy attacks available
  • Learning curve to understand stance effectiveness
• Magic Meter: Temporary abilities (e.g., enemy freeze)
  • Balance between using abilities and saving for tough encounters
• Transformation Abilities:
  • Defeat enemies to gain their abilities
  • Temporary transformations for combat advantages

Combat Experience

• Combat has depth but may lack precision; not a hardcore challenge
• Enjoyable animations and combos, but repetitive after a while
• Boss fights notable for being unique and challenging
• Some frustration with camera issues and enemy attacks

Story and Environment

• Story based on Chinese mythology, but lacks emotional investment
• Chapter-based structure with numerous bosses
• Areas designed beautifully but simple structurally
  • Graphically impressive with various environments
  • Issues with invisible walls and lack of a map

Graphics and Performance

• Visually stunning; high-quality textures and effects
• Minor technical issues (glitches, stuttering) on high-end PC
• Uncertainty about console performance

Conclusion

• Overall, a challenging and thrilling adventure
• Recommended for action game fans, especially if interested in lore
• Not a Soulslike experience; may disappoint some fans of that genre
• Encourages viewer engagement: share thoughts in the comments

Final Thoughts

• An enjoyable game with potential but some technical drawbacks
• Reminder to check out gameplay and form personal opinions before purchasing.