Four years ago, Game Science captured the gaming world’s attention with a stunning trailer for their action-adventure title, Black Myth: Wukong. The visuals were nothing short of breathtaking, featuring intricately detailed foliage and mesmerizing reflections on mossy puddles. The trailer showcased the protagonist, Sun Wukong, exhibiting a dazzling array of tricks and combat techniques, leaving many to wonder if such ambition could be realized by a studio primarily known for mobile games.
As players finally got the chance to explore Black Myth, they were greeted by the same lush environments that had initially captivated them. Game Science has been open about the challenges they faced in development, particularly regarding the game’s ambitious third level, which promises a vast explorable space and a multi-phase boss fight. This boss, a character with a complex relationship with Wukong, offers a unique challenge: rather than simply seeking to defeat the player, he aims to take Wukong as an apprentice. Game Science emphasized the fluidity of combat, allowing players to utilize various spells and abilities, with this particular boss possessing the capacity to counter every move the player makes.
Since that initial reveal, the team has expanded significantly, growing from about 20 developers to over 100. Despite this rapid growth, Game Science has reported that development has proceeded smoothly, a stark contrast to their previous project, the MMO Asura, which faced numerous hurdles due to a lack of experience and technology. The inspiration for Asura stemmed from the classic 16th-century novel, Journey to the West, a tale that has been reimagined in countless forms, demonstrating its enduring appeal.
Mythmaking
Game Science sees Journey to the West as an ideal foundation for an action game, filled with extraordinary characters and encounters. Each character Wukong meets along his journey possesses unique abilities, which the developers have woven into the game’s combat mechanics. “Wukong has very fluid ways of moving and a lot of different transformations,” they noted, aiming to provide players with the opportunity to strategize their approach to each enemy and boss.
The narrative of Black Myth: Wukong unfolds after the events of the original novel, requiring a careful balance between catering to Chinese audiences familiar with the source material and introducing international players to its rich tapestry of characters. This localization effort has proven challenging, with the team working diligently to ensure that the game’s dialogue resonates across cultures. The complexity of translating the older Chinese language into modern vernacular, and then into English, adds another layer of difficulty. However, the essence of Journey to the West—a story about faith and personal journeys—remains a central theme. Game Science is committed to portraying enemies as multidimensional characters rather than mere obstacles, enriching the player experience beyond simple combat.
