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After a four-year wait since its 2020 announcement, reviews for Black Myth: Wukong are finally here, but not without controversy. Read on for a summary of critical reception and the ongoing debate surrounding review guidelines.

Black Myth: Wukong's Arrival (PC Only, for Now)

The highly anticipated Black Myth: Wukong has received largely positive reviews, currently boasting an 82 Metascore on Metacritic based on 54 critic reviews.

Reviewers praise the game's exceptional action gameplay, emphasizing its precise and engaging combat system, particularly in its well-crafted boss battles. Stunning visuals and hidden secrets within its richly detailed world also garner significant praise. The game's interpretation of the classic Chinese mythology of Journey to the West is widely lauded, with GamesRadar+ describing it as "a fun action RPG that feels like the modern God of War games viewed through the lens of Chinese mythology."

Mixed Reactions and Potential Dealbreakers

While generally positive, some reviews point to potential drawbacks. PCGamesN, for example, notes the game's potential for Game of the Year contention, but also highlights subpar level design, uneven difficulty, and occasional technical hiccups as potential dealbreakers for some players. The narrative structure, similar to older FromSoftware titles, is also criticized for its disjointed nature, requiring players to piece together the story through item descriptions. It's important to note that all early access review copies were for PC; console performance (specifically on PS5) remains unreviewed.

Review Guideline Controversy Sparks Debate

The release of early access reviews has been overshadowed by a controversy surrounding review guidelines allegedly issued by one of Black Myth: Wukong's co-publishers. A leaked document reportedly instructed streamers and reviewers to avoid discussing topics such as "violence, nudity, feminist propaganda, fetishization, and other content that instigates negative discourse."

(Image from SteamDB) This has ignited significant debate within the gaming community. While some criticize the guidelines as censorship, others express less concern.

High Anticipation Despite Controversy

Despite the controversy, Black Myth: Wukong remains highly anticipated. Its Steam sales statistics show it's currently both the best-selling and most wishlisted game on the platform prior to release. While the lack of console reviews might temper some enthusiasm, the game is poised for a major launch.