Unraveling the Mysteries of Black Myth: Wukong's Storyline

Despite its widespread popularity and impressive sales, Black Myth: Wukong has left many players scratching their heads over its complex and often cryptic storyline. A quick glance at the Steam forums reveals a common theme: players are struggling to piece together the narrative, with many admitting that they find the plot difficult to follow. While the game’s stunning boss battles and cinematic experience can be enjoyed on their own, having some background knowledge of the story can enhance the overall experience.

To truly grasp the narrative of Black Myth: Wukong, one would ideally read the ancient Chinese novel Journey to the West, a 2,300-page epic that serves as the game’s inspiration. However, given the length of the novel and its availability, this might not be feasible for everyone. If you’re familiar with popular adaptations like Dragon Ball or even the Shen Yunperforming arts show, which incorporates elements of Journey to the West, you’ll have a basic understanding of the tale's core elements.

Black Myth: Wukong picks up after the conclusion of the original journey. The game centers on Wukong, the Monkey King, as he embarks on new adventures. It begins with a battle against Erlang Shen, a Chinese folk deity with a third eye, but just as Wukong is on the brink of victory, he is trapped within a stone. In a desperate attempt to escape, Wukong divides his power into six relics, which are then scattered across China. Players must guide Wukong as he searches for these relics in various locations modeled after real-life temples.

As players progress through the game, defeating monsters and powerful bosses, they unlock entries in an in-game journal that provides deeper insights into the story. These entries, presented as paper scrolls, gradually reveal more about the narrative, including the presence of a necromancer, which may explain why some of the demons Wukong faces are familiar foes from his past.