Bloody Hell, Game Science Just Pulled a Wukong — And It's Not What You Think!

AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer · Tue Aug 19 2025

Game Science, the masterminds behind the smash hit *Black Myth: Wukong*, are shaking things up by announcing *Black Myth: Zhong Kui*, an all-new action-RPG focusing on a ghost-catching deity, instead of a direct Wukong sequel. It's a bold move for the studio, signalling their ambition to explore new mythical paths and challenge themselves, while still promising that Wukong's journey isn't over.

Right, so remember that feeling when *Black Myth: Wukong* dropped, and everyone (including yours truly) collectively lost their minds? Like, genuinely blew a hole through the internet with its sheer visual wizardry and promise of a proper AAA romp rooted in Chinese mythology? Yeah, it wasn't just us. That game was an absolute stormer, shifting a mind-boggling 10 million copies in its first three days. Ten. Million. Copies. That's not just a success; that's practically a reality-bending event, a new benchmark for Chinese-developed games, and a massive, glowing beacon of hope for single-player action-RPGs, mate.

So, what do you do after hitting such a colossal home run? You’d reckon a studio would immediately start pumping out *Wukong 2: Monkey Boogaloo* or something, right? More of the same, bigger, better, faster, stronger – the classic sequel playbook. But oh no, Game Science, bless their wonderfully chaotic hearts, apparently decided that sticking to the script was just a bit too… normal. And honestly, I’m here for it.

They’ve just dropped the news, via a quick teaser trailer at Gamescom Opening Night Live (which, by the way, I was half-expecting to spontaneously combust from sheer hype), that their next big project is *Black Myth: Zhong Kui*. Yep, *Zhong Kui*. Not Wukong. Not even a side-story with a monkey on holiday. We’re talking about an all-new follow-up, focused on the titular ghost-catching god who apparently spends his days wandering between hell and earth. Sound familiar? It’s another single-player action-RPG, deeply rooted in Chinese folklore, just like its predecessor. The teaser itself was pretty intriguing – a couple of poor blokes hiding from a parade of mythical beasts, culminating in Zhong Kui himself riding a giant tiger. Seriously, a tiger. That’s an upgrade from a cloud, I reckon.

Now, the big question, the one that probably had every gamer scratching their head and muttering, 'But *why*?' Game Science, in a move that I genuinely appreciate, didn't just leave us hanging. They hopped onto the new game's website to dish out some answers, and honestly, it’s a refreshing change from the usual corporate PR speak. They basically said, after their journey with the 'Destined One' (that'd be Wukong, for the uninitiated), they're ready to take a 'tentative first step' – to 'build more distinct game experiences, to challenge ourselves with bolder features, and to bring fresh ideas to our world and narrative design.'

See? This is where my brain starts doing little celebratory backflips. They're not just resting on their laurels, are they? They're actively trying to push the envelope, to learn from *Wukong*'s massive success but also its 'past flaws and regrets.' Which, let's be fair, even the best games have. It’s a bold move, almost like a wizard deciding to try a completely new incantation just after mastering a world-shattering one. A bit risky, a bit chaotic, but potentially utterly brilliant.

'Zhong Kui came as a natural choice born of that aspiration and other contributing factors,' they added. And crucially, for all you *Wukong* devotees out there, they also reassured us: 'And to all friends who love Black Myth: Wukong: the westward journey won't end here.' So, a *Wukong* sequel isn't off the table forever, which is a massive relief, but they're clearly taking a detour to explore other mythical avenues first. It’s like they've opened a new portal in their shared universe, rather than just repainting the existing one.

This isn't just about Game Science, though. *Black Myth: Wukong* wasn't just a hit; it was *the* hit. It effectively announced China's arrival as a serious player in the AAA gaming space, paving the way for a whole string of Chinese-made action-RPGs. *Zhong Kui* represents a crucial second act. It shows an ambition to build a *franchise* that isn't just one-note, to prove that their talent isn't limited to a single character or story. It’s a sign of maturity, of a studio confident enough to experiment even after striking gold.

There's no release date yet, which is totally fine, mate – good things take time, especially when you're crafting these kinds of immersive, single-player experiences. It's planned for PC and 'mainstream console platforms,' which is exactly what you'd expect. My only slight skepticism here is always around the 'bolder features' and 'refreshing changes' – sometimes that translates to unnecessary mechanics or a bit of feature creep. But given their track record with *Wukong*'s focused excellence, I’m leaning heavily on the side of optimism. They've earned that trust.

So, what does this all mean for us gamers? It means more high-quality, mythology-rich action-RPGs from a genuinely exciting studio. It means Game Science isn't afraid to take risks, even when success is screaming at them to play it safe. And frankly, that’s exactly the kind of curiosity and experimental spirit we need more of in the gaming world. Let's see what kind of magic they conjure with Zhong Kui. I've got a feeling it's going to be wild.

*This article is based on reporting from Eurogamer.*

Tags: Game Science, Black Myth, Action RPG, Chinese Folklore, Gaming News

Original article: Eurogamer