Fake Black Myth: Wukong Launches in Nintendo eShop

by

As a lifelong fan of Asian mythology, particularly the Journey to the West, I have been following the developments in the gaming world with great interest. The release of Black Myth: Wukong by Game Science was a groundbreaking moment for me, as it brought this beloved tale to life in a way that no other game has managed before.

The Journey to the West story has been adapted across the centuries since it was written, but it has just recently gotten the spotlight again thanks to the Game of the Year-nominated Black Myth: Wukong from Game Science.

Amidst the surge of apparent copycats such as Palworld and Light of Motiram receiving attention lately, there’s a new game in the Nintendo eShop that has players speculating whether the creators were attempting to replicate the style of Black Myth.

Black Myth Imitation on Nintendo Switch?

As reported by VGC, Global Game Studio has unveiled the game titled “Wukong Sun: Black Legend”. This 2D action-platformer is based on the same storyline as “Black Myth: Wukong”.

Experience the thrilling adventure of “Wukong Sun: Black Legend”! Assume the role of the iconic immortal figure, the Monkey King Wukong, as you fight your way through a turbulent world brimming with formidable monsters and hidden perils. Discover a tale woven from Chinese folklore, complete with intense battles, breathtaking landscapes, and legendary adversaries.

There’s a lot of buzz surrounding the game on Weibo, which is China’s main social media site. Some users are accusing Wukong Sun of being an unashamed copy of Black Myth.

Additionally, the game’s title, Black Myth: Wukong, is quite similar to the name of a highly successful AAA game developed by Game Science, which has sold more than 20 million copies since its release earlier this year. This suggests that the developers are capitalizing on the popularity of that game.

To Be Fair

It’s clear that the game Black Legend aims to capitalize on the fame of Black Myth. However, since the core content is part of the public domain, Game Science doesn’t hold exclusive rights to the Wukong myth.

Without a doubt, the themes and characters from the classic novel “Journey to the West” have been reimagined in various forms throughout different media over time. Notably, the anime “Gensomaden Saiyuki” is renowned for its storyline that draws heavily on the mythology of “Journey to the West”. Moreover, the main character of the popular “Dragon Ball” series, known as Son Goku, is a reinterpretation of the Monkey King figure from this folklore.

In essence, Black Myth has taken a public domain mythological IP and upgraded it to a high-quality AAA game. This is analogous to what God of War did for Greek mythology. After the launch of these games, there has been an increase in media adaptations of gods’ stories, such as Zeus and Athena, including the remake of Clash of the Titans and Disney’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

Be the Bigger Man

Nintendo hasn’t responded about the possibility of Black Legend being available on their platform, and it might not be worth the effort to pursue it further.

As an enthusiast, I can’t help but share some concerns about Black Legend. Despite its compact appearance, there’s a growing apprehension among players that the anticipation for Black Myth might lead to disappointment. This is due to the possibility of consumers finding themselves playing a game that’s been reskinned, giving the impression of something entirely different, which it may not truly be.

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

Read More

2024-12-24 15:42