Black Myth: Wukong was released yesterday to immense critical and commercial acclaim. Though somewhat expected, it surprised many in the industry with its stunning visuals, impressive soul-like combat, and in-depth lore.
The game looks and feels like a Game of the Year contender. If you haven't yet embarked on your journey to the West as the eponymous Monkey King, or if your bout feels more challenging than you would have liked, this guide will offer you some helpful tips to improve your adventure and make it a bit easier.
1. Level Up
Like in every action RPG, leveling up is essential. If you are struggling, you are either under-leveled or have wrongly allocated skill points. Leveling up grants Sparks, which can be assigned to various skill trees that improve your staff stances, spellcasting, transformations, and overall stats.
Luckily, Black Myth: Wukong allows you to reallocate these skill points at any point, so you can customize your build based on your playstyle that suits you better and matches current opponents.
To gain Sparks, focus on defeating enemies, exploring the world, and discovering Meditation Spots. If you're struggling against a difficult enemy, explore the surrounding area and focus on lesser enemies to level up and gather additional Sparks. Visiting meditation spots in every region grants one skill point.
2. Skills to Select First
As you level up, you can unlock more skills with your Sparks. While you can respec skills anytime you visit a Shrine (more on that later), there are a few skills that you will need as soon as possible for an easier journey.
- Simian Agility
- Rampant Vigor
- Cloud Step
- Force Unbound
- Mobile Spin
- Crash
These skills will make your character stronger, more brutal, and more agile, all essential in this game. They also affect stamina, health, damage, and armor.
3. In Combat, Dodging is Crucial
While it feels soulslike, Black Myth: Wukong has somewhat different combat than your average Dark Souls game. Instead of parrying, you will be rolling and dodging a lot of enemy attacks.
You will need to master the dodge and use it quite often. The first fight will teach you how to dodge and hint at what the future holds for the Monkey King.
When you dodge an attack at the last possible moment, it will leave an afterimage of Wukong, which will confuse the enemy for a brief moment, giving you enough time to land a strong hit.
An important thing to note is that Wandering White is one of those bosses that can’t be beaten the first time you encounter it. So you can practice your combat on it, but the end result will be the same.
4. Keeper’s Shrines are More than Important
Do not stray away from visiting Keeper’s Shrines. Check the Shrine at every opportunity, as it can be used to craft, buy, or sell items, in addition to recovering lost health and mana and saving your progress.
They give plenty of options, including fast travel, while you can also make medicines, brew different drinks and sakes, choose spells, refine skills, and upgrade spirits.
These are game checkpoints; there is one in every area of the game. While you don’t need to rest at a shrine to level up like in other soul-like games, these have similar uses in games such as Lies of P, Dark Souls, and Elden Ring, among others.
5. Melee Combat Will Get you So Far, Use Spells to Advance
Black Myth: Wukong is a melee combat-focused game, but spells are powerful additions that help you change the fight to your advantage.
At first, you will have access to one spell, but this will change as you progress the campaign and unlock more of these. You must be careful when casting spells since many have a longer casting time and can be interrupted.
Wukong has several different spells, including Ring of Fire, which is just that, then A Pluck of Many, which creates Wukong duplicates and aids in the fight, and Cloud Step, which creates a mist decoy.
These and more are invaluable assets in every fight, whether a boss fight or a minion fight. Don’t hesitate to use spells. Remember, these cost Mana, which replenishes slower than stamina.
6. Exploration Can Lead to Secret Areas with High Rewards
Black Myth: Wukong is a linear game that takes you from one shrine to another. However, if you wander off the beaten path, there is a chance of stumbling upon great rewards, including treasure chests, optional boss fights with plenty of XP, upgrade material, and other useful ingredients.
7. Black Myth: Wukong Doesn't Have a Traditional Map
This journey isn't an easy one. You will trace the mythic path from the classic novel; you don't need a map, so don’t look for one. Despite the game being linear, exploring will take you off the road to different areas that branch out.
If you ever get lost, do not fear; there will be glowing embers whenever you head off the trail that leads to the next Keeper’s Shrine. This has made some people mad, but you will get the hang of it as you continue playing.
8. Use Transformation as Often as Possible
Sun Wukong possesses the ability to transform into a powerful creature. These will grant you complete control over the transformed form before you subvert to the monkey form. To unlock transformations, you must defeat specific enemies or bosses that possess these abilities.
You will notice a glowing blue fire, indicating that the enemy is an elite boss. Once defeated, they will leave a flame you can pick up to unlock their transformation.
Once unlocked, you can activate them at will by consuming the acquired flame, but keep them for boss fights where you will need more damage and health.
This is all you need to know about Black Myth: Wukong if you are just starting the game or struggling. Additionally, keep an eye on your Gourd or flasks, as you might know them, and do not shy away from experimenting with playstyles, armor, and stances. The game gives you plenty of freedom, so it is best to use it.