Summary
While Game Science’sBlack Myth: Wukongis technically an action RPG, it is a bit of a mixed bag of influences, with many onlookers even calling it a “Soulslike” ahead of its release. However, althoughBlack Myth: Wukongdoes offer the level of challenge associated with the Soulslike genre, it has a tendency to lean more toward the action RPG genre as a whole in many of its other features. Within that space, it pulls much of its inspiration from Santa Monica’s rebootedGod of Warseries, to the point that the two look nearly identical in some areas.
Black Myth: Wukongis not ashamed of itsGod of Warroots, and it arguably shouldn’t be. Since its reboot in 2018,God of Warhas established itself as one of the more excellent franchises in its narrative, characters, combat, and visuals, so no game should be afraid to wear anyGod of Warinfluences on its sleeve. In full acceptance of that challenge isBlack Myth: Wukong, an action RPG adapted fromJourney to the Westwhich unabashedly expresses its fondness forGod of War. In its combat, exploration, and even subtle animations,Black Myth: Wukongpays clear homage to Santa Monica’s award-winning reimagining of the original action-adventure hack-and-slash series that began in 2005.
How Black Myth: Wukong Draws Inspiration From God of War
Black Myth: Wukong’s Combat Animations and Gear System Resemble God of War’s
Black Myth: Wukongwas originally touted as a more difficultGod of War, and even though it is in all actuality much harder thanGod of War, its combat is nonetheless similar in a lot of ways. Most notable areBlack Myth: Wukong’s combat animations, which are strikingly similar to the animations used forKratos' Leviathan Axemovements. While it is far less brutal when the Destined One makes contact with an enemy than when Kratos does, each swing of the Destined One’s staff shows a movement style similar to Kratos when he uses the Leviathan Axe, even down to when a full combo is executed.
Additionally, althoughBlack Myth: Wukonghas commonly been called a Soulslike, the speed of its combat is much more similar toGod of Warthan anySoulsgame. The biggest difference here is that there is no parry function inBlack Myth: Wukonglike there is inGod of War.Black Myth: Wukong’s gear system also resemblesGod of War’s, in that there are armor sets for the Destined One to wear that can give him helpful bonuses for equipping a certain number of each set’s pieces. Gear upgrades inBlack Myth: Wukongalso function similarly toGod of War, in that players can upgrade each weapon through various tiers by fronting the materials and currency necessary to do so.
Black Myth: Wukong’s Exploration Adopts Even More God of War Animations and Follows Similar Rules
Any seasonedGod of Warplayer knows it’s wise to break any pots they see, as they’ll receive Hacksilver, the series' currency, for doing so. The same rule applies inBlack Myth: Wukong, and it’s endearing how similar it is. There are pots scattered throughout each region ofBlack Myth: Wukong’s worldthat players can break to earn more Will, which, likeGod of War’s Hacksilver, functions as the game’s currency for purchasing and upgrading items. There are also several different types of chests to find while exploringBlack Myth: Wukong’s world and the animation of the Destined One opening these chests is almost identical to Kratos opening a chest inGod of War.
There’s no shame inBlack Myth: Wukongwearing itsGod of Warinfluenceson its sleeve, even if those influences are largely found in the Destined One’s animations both in and out of combat. It just goes to show how worth imitating Santa Monica’s reboot of theGod of Warseries is, and more games should follow suit.
