Black Myth: Wukong
The Game Awardsrecently announced its picks for Game of the Year , including some controversial choices . The candidate include some heavy - batter : Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth , Astro Bot , Balatro , Metaphor : Refantazio , theElden Ring : Shadow of the Erdtree DLC(a hot subject of public debate ) , andBlack Myth : Wukong , a choice that defies itsgood but unexceptional critical response . While the overall answer to the game was strong , Black Myth : Wukongfalls brusque of where nominees both present and preceding pace .
As detail on the officialThe Game Awardswebsite , 10 per centum of the vote comes from fans , while 90 percent of the decision goes to the jury ( mostly composed of press and journalists ) . base on past year , these judges often favor action at law - base RPGs with strong narratives — grim Myth : Wukongchecks these boxes in a major way , plus some . Although it might not be the most obvious alternative , there are plenty of reasons whyBlack Myth : Wukongdeserves GOTY at TGA 2024 .
10GameScience’s First AAA
Regardless of the opinion aboutBlack Myth : Wukong’snomination , there is no denying what the developers at GameScience have accomplish . This being the first AAA installment from the small fellowship fructify a precedent for things to come , and the factthe studio scored a GOTY nomination on its first AAA releaseis an impressive exploit . GameScience managed to make something both intimate and novel , combine some of the best element / feature from similarly styled game and improving upon them or reimagining them entirely .
To be bonnie , the father of GameScience are former Tencent employees , and the fact that the studio has n’t previously put out titles of this scale is n’t going to be a major thoughtfulness for judges at TGA . But it ’s worth noting that whenBlack Myth : Wukongstarted development , Game Science had few than 30 employee working on the biz , as cover byIGN .
9Replayability
action replay value comes built - in withBlack Myth : Wukong , as see withthe New Game+mode have after finishing the game the first time and in the alternate , " True finish " found after complete a secret domain that most wo n’t retrieve until a second replay . Black Myth : Wukongseems to be designed with the prospect that players will miss thing on their first run , andNG+ provides herculean upgrades and better artillery / armor , so accomplishments from NG experience like they really matter in NG+ .
There are five weapons worth a snug look in Black Myth : Wukong ’s New Game Plus , including the Stormflash Loong and Adept Spine - Shooting Fuban .
Further , the hard arm in the game are onlyavailable in NG+ , and the narrative elements are interesting enough thata 2d or third playthrough of the plot does not sense staleor ill-chosen . If replayability bet for anything , Wukong is a prime example of using NG+ to raise the player ’s overall experience of the game .
8Simplified Soulslike Mechanics
disastrous Myth : Wukonguses or improves upon democratic soulslike mechanics , such asre - spawning at shrine upon death without the punitive expiration of experience . Thecombat mechanism feel queerly familiar , with expression reminiscent of previous GOTY - winnersSekiroandElden Ring , yet clearly different — Black Myth : Wukongisn’t technically a soulslike after all , even if elements such as the Perfect Dodge mechanism feel very soulslike .
This is all to say thatBlack Myth : Wukonghas produce trulyinnovative and original combatthat ramp up upon and pays homage to contemporaries and herald from a range of RPG styles and is accessible in ways other soulslikes are n’t . The demolishing mechanic and narrative linearity equate toplayers not being overwhelmed by any single boss , getting lose in a labyrinthine world , or becoming frustrated piecing together fragmented plot line .
7Visual Design & Art
Despite the potential for public presentation matter , Black Myth : Wukongoffers an unparalleled , visually dynamic experience . Each chapter includes a change of beautiful computer architecture and elaborate background knowledge mount , from deserts to snowy passel and beyond . Not to mention the graphic symbol , NPC , and foe designs , all of which feel original and carefully plan , as well as the beautiful art seen in cutscene content .
While there are freestanding honour category for these aspects , the artistic production and design in the plot add to the overall submerging and will certainly recreate at least a passive role in judges ' decision for GOTY.Black Myth : Wukong ’s visualadaptation of the iconicJourney to the Weststory and legendary characterslike the titular Sun Wukong leave in a complete esthetic vision that pluck players into the myth .
6Boss Design
Though there are over 100 chief dispel across the plot , each has a completely individualized combat style and personality . They are also weave into the story with intention , each serve a unequalled purpose and leave players feel accomplishedafter defeating them . Somebosses will find insurmountableat first , but these foes speedily wedge players to aline their scheme , experiment with different spark investment and gear , and ascertain to employ the correct stances .
The move set foreach honcho is calculated and well - thought - out , teaching players how to apply each stance as they advance through the plot . This translates to a in truth fulfilling sense of accomplishment when a finicky flesh or proficiency ultimately pans out . Even the most intriguing bosses , such as Erlang , the Sacred Divinity , can be have the best reasonably with a solid strategy .
5Hidden In Plain View
While the lack of an open humans or running into inconspicuous walls can break submersion to some extent , nothing inBlack Myth : Wukongfeels unplanned . The barrier to exploration are balanced out by the hidden aspects of the gamethat player are detached to discover on their own , peculiarly thedozens of secret bossesthat can not be access without consume measured steps . Despite experience a moderately one-dimensional itinerary , Wukongcan be amazingly difficult to navigate .
Black Myth : Wukong was a sensation when it first released , but there are a number of features that players may have completely miss when playing .
Where an subject world offers players a sense of find and purpose , Black Myth : Wukongpresents a linear path with obliterate ramification , such as side quests that run to powerful boss that can only be discovered with thorough exploration . Each chapter is advanced for uncovering , and the game deserves consideration for strike a delicate balance between the open world and linear styles of level invention .
Custom image by Katarina Cimbaljevic
4Reignite The Sparks
The leveling arrangement inBlack Myth : Wukong , call Self - Advancing , can be done anytime , andrespeccing Spark pointsis potential at any Keeper ’s Shrinefrom the very beginning of the plot . This may seem like a simple detail , but the power to respec at will gives the musician an unbelievable degree of freedom to experiment with different bod , which in turn result to role player formulate strategies cater to their preferences and each individual boss .
Where many action RPGs have lock up role player into their decisions and forced them to devote to a particular build , Black Myth : Wukongremoves all barrier to advancement and encourages player to rethink scheme . This is peculiarly useful in the early chapters as participant learn various fighting mechanics and build an armoury for the more difficult previous - game bosses .
3Smash, Pillar, Thrust
On that note , the combat mechanic are perhaps one of the most compelling reasonsBlack Myth : Wukongis deserving of GOTY . As advert above , the plot utilizes features from popular soulslikes , most apparently with the Perfect Dodge automobile mechanic . However , these fundamental principle are heighten dramaticallywhen players begin understanding how to use each Staff Stance- Smash , Pillar , and Thrust - and when they bug out reveal new spells .
defeat each boss necessitate a catered understanding of their move - set , and which stances or spell out the player uses will deepen depending on which Bos they ’re fighting . By the last foreman , player will have practice enough thatthey’ll understand the nuance , welfare , and habit - cases for each posture , spell , and piece of gear they collect throughout the game .
2Journey To The West
There ’s little doubt thatBlack Myth : Wukongis a stunning adaptation of the epic sixteenth - century Chinese novel , Journey to the West , or that this will be a major consideration for judges in this year ’s GOTY determination . Traditionally , the make headway game have been narrative - focused , containing stiff cinematic elements andincluding well - written dialog and carefully design narrative design . The committal to writing inBlack Myth : Wukongparticularly stands out , even from the initial battle sequence against the Gods .
Black Myth : Wukong has peck of secrets for players to discover , but even developer GameScience may not have all the answer in one instance .
The overall story bow , character development , dialogue , and narrative design inBlack Myth : Wukongare what will set it apart from the other candidate . There may not be a good video game adaption of a classic tale than this one , and based on Book of Judges ' preferences in retiring GOTY prize , an engaging story and designed narrative intention are crucial for a winning deed of conveyance .
Custom Image by Tom Wilson
1A Complete Experience
When all is pronounce and done , no individual element of any GOTY nominee will ensure a winnings , and the overall gameplay experience will be the final say . Black Myth : Wukongis a complete , self - contained package , unlike other candidate such asShadow of the ErdtreeorFF7 Rebirththat command knowledge of the franchise to fully apprise . While it isbased onJourney to the West , role player do n’t need to have scan the novel to appreciate the story or characters - if anything , the plot will interest histrion in reading the novel .
Further , Black Myth : Wukongexcludes the frustrative aspect of popular soulslikes while incorporate more universally gratifying elements , mint a soft equalizer between sports fan of the soulslike music genre and those that prefer a more straightforward activity RPG . The tier , combat , and chief design are standouts among the nominees , as well as the advancement organisation and art / filming . For all of these reasonableness and more , Black Myth : Wukonghas a real shot at winning Game of the Year atThe Game Awards2024 .
Sources : The Game Awards , IGN
