Behind the Lore – Black Myth Wukong’s Origins Explained

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Behind the Lore – Black Myth Wukong's Origins Explained

As a seasoned gamer with a penchant for both Eastern and Western mythologies, I can confidently say that the upcoming title, Black Myth: Wukong, has piqued my interest like no other. Having grown up on classics such as Dragon Ball and Gensomaden Saiyuki, the prospect of diving into a game inspired by the legendary Journey to the West is nothing short of exhilarating.

Many people might not recognize the ancient Chinese novel “Journey to the West”, but they may have encountered content influenced by it, such as anime like “Dragon Ball” and “Gensomaden Saiyuki”, or films like “The Forbidden Kingdom”.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but share my excitement about the upcoming video game adaptation of the “Journey to the West” myth, Game Science’s latest creation – Black Myth: Wukong. This title is set to breathe fresh life into the “Journey to the West” folklore, infusing it with a contemporary spirit, reminiscent of the captivating world of Elden Ring.

What is the Lore Behind Black Myth: Wukong?

To clarify, the game is modeled after one of China’s esteemed literary works, often recognized by global readers as “Journey to the West“. This epic narrative revolves around a mythical character named Sun Wukong, also known as the Monkey King, who possesses extraordinary abilities and seeks to challenge the divine realm.

Sun Wukong, who dared to challenge divine authority, is subsequently locked beneath a mountain for a span of 500 years. It isn’t until the monk Tang Sanzang releases him that their adventure begins. Along with other vibrant companions, they embark on a journey across various lands to retrieve sacred Buddhist texts from what was once known as India (Tianzhu) and return them to China in order to propagate the teachings of Buddhism.

Behind the Lore – Black Myth Wukong's Origins Explained

How is Black Myth Different from the Original Story?

In terms of “Black Myth,” the plot is essentially a continuation of the classic tale, “Journey to the West.” Following Sun Wukong’s completion of his assignment with Sanzang, Wukong attains Buddhahood; however, he renounces it, causing distress within the Celestial Court. In response, they choose to confine him once more.

In the story of Black Myth, the protagonist known as “The Destined One” is assigned a mission by the simian inhabitants of Mount Huaguo. Their objective is to retrieve several artifacts that were once possessed by the original Sun Wukong. By successfully completing this task, they aim to free him from his stone imprisonment.

In this scenario, the central narrative of the game unfolds with the Chosen Character pursuing various artifacts, all while encountering some legendary adversaries that Wukong confronted in the classic tale “Journey to the West.” Alongside these challenges, the Chosen Character will also come across acquaintances who are familiar faces.

Although he may not be Wukong, the Destined One possesses multiple power sets, among which are the abilities to transform into various animals and duplicate himself using his hair. He exhibits extraordinary strength, has the capacity to alter his size, and can traverse the skies on a cloud—much like Goku from Dragon Ball.

To date, the game has garnered widespread acclaim. Not only does it boast an intriguing lore and captivating storyline, but Black Myth has also earned praise for its intricate combat mechanics, enhancing its dark-soulslike atmosphere with a unique flair.

Black Myth: Wukong is available for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.

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2024-08-26 12:42