Should You Buy Black Myth: Wukong? First Impressions

Black Myth: Wukong is one of the most anticipated games of 2024, capturing the attention of gamers with its unique setting, dynamic combat, and high-quality graphics. However, like any game, it has its drawbacks. In this article, we’ll explore whether it’s worth spending your money on this game based on initial impressions. We’ll also touch on the hype created among players by this new release from Chinese developers and discuss the game’s optimization.

Black Myth: Wukong Breaks Records, Surpassing Dota 2 and CS

Game Science's Black Myth: Wukong has already broken the major Steam record within the first 24 hours of its release, topping the charts with the highest number of concurrent online players. At the time of writing, the game has 1,857,910 concurrent players on Steam alone.

This number surpasses the peak of Cyberpunk 2077 by CD Projekt RED, which held the previous record for single-player games on Steam with 1,054,388 concurrent players at launch in December 2020. Additionally, Wukong has outpaced industry giants like Dota 2, Counter-Strike, and PUBG.

Black Myth: Wukong is turning the gaming industry on its head and is a strong contender for the Game of the Year 2024.

Optimization and System Requirements of Black Myth: Wukong

Surprisingly, such a visually stunning game has managed to release with moderate optimization. Numerous tests on YouTube that appeared shortly after the game's launch confirm this. If you own an older RX580 8GB or a similar graphics card, you can play comfortably on low-medium settings with 50-70 FPS, which is more than satisfactory for a game of this caliber.

Graphics and Visual Design

The first thing that stands out when launching Black Myth: Wukong is its visual design. The game looks beautiful, with detailed characters and environments. However, despite this, the world feels empty and lifeless. Players are confined to narrow corridors, and any attempts to deviate from the suggested path result in hitting invisible walls. Although the game presents itself as an open-world adventure, the reality is that freedom of action is extremely limited.

Combat: Casual or Engaging?

Combat mechanics in Black Myth: Wukong evoke mixed feelings. On the one hand, battles are dynamic and fast-paced, making them exciting, especially in boss fights. The variety of moves and abilities available to the character adds diversity to the gameplay. On the other hand, the combat system itself seems simplified; for most enemies, simply spamming the attack button is enough to win. This makes the game accessible to newcomers but might disappoint experienced players looking for deeper mechanics.

A Dead World and Lack of Interaction

One of the significant downsides of the game is the lack of interaction with the environment. Many objects in Black Myth: Wukong are non-interactive, creating a sense of artificiality and superficiality. In 2024, when games strive for maximum realism and immersion, this feels like a step backward.

Character Progression and Skill Variety

The character progression system in Black Myth: Wukong is one of the game's strong points. Players have access to a wide range of skills, allowing them to customize their playstyle. Whether you want to focus on powerful melee attacks or prefer agile dodges and ranged attacks, the flexible skill system, which offers around 200 different options, makes it possible.

Conclusion: To Buy or Not to Buy Black Myth: Wukong?

Black Myth: Wukong is a game with big ambitions, but not all of them are realized. It offers exciting combat and beautiful graphics but suffers from linearity and limited interaction with the world. If you're looking for a dynamic adventure where you can relax without worrying about complex mechanics, this game might be for you. However, if you expect deep world-building and a complex combat system, Black Myth: Wukong might disappoint.

We are not bashing the game for its shortcomings—despite them, it remains a top contender for Game of the Year 2024. However, it might slightly disappoint gamers who have built up high expectations, while it could become the best game of all time for others. The decision to buy the game comes down to its high price and the significant amount of space it will take up on your PC.

Ultimately, the decision to purchase depends on your preferences. For some, it will be an enjoyable way to spend time, while for others, it may be a missed opportunity.

P.S. Don’t forget that Steam offers a refund if you’ve played less than 2 hours!