Black Myth: Wukong - God of War's Stylish Chinese Cousin

Alright, let's cut to the chase. In 2025, the gaming world is still buzzing about Game Science's blockbuster, Black Myth: Wukong. While it got slapped with the 'Soulslike' label faster than you can say 'difficulty spike', anyone who's spent a few hours with the Destined One knows the truth. This game has a serious case of hero worship, and its hero's name is Kratos. It's not a secret—it's a full-blown, beautifully animated love letter to Santa Monica's rebooted God of War series. And honestly? That's the best thing that could have happened to it. Why try to reinvent the wheel when you can polish it, give it magical properties, and swing it like a divine staff?

The combat is where the family resemblance is most obvious. Forget the slow, deliberate dance of a Souls game; Black Myth: Wukong moves with the fluid, weighty grace of a certain Ghost of Sparta. The Destined One's staff animations? Oh boy, they are basically the Leviathan Axe's elegant, less-murderous cousin. Each swing, each combo finisher, has that same satisfying heft and follow-through. You can almost hear the developers whispering, "See? We were taking notes." The speed is a dead giveaway—this is action-RPG pacing through and through, not a punishing stamina-management sim. It's like God of War decided to take a gap year in ancient China and came back with a killer new moveset. The only thing missing is a parry function, which, let's be real, the Destined One is probably too cool for anyway. He'd rather dodge with style.

Now, let's talk loot and exploration, because our monkey hero has clearly inherited Kratos's hoarding habits. The gear system is a direct descendant. You've got your armor sets that grant bonuses for wearing multiple pieces—classic God of War RPG dressing. Upgrading your gear? Yep, it's the same song and dance: gather materials, spend currency, watch numbers go up. It's a satisfying loop that God of War perfected, and Wukong adopts it without a second thought.

But here's the kicker, the detail that makes you chuckle: smashing pots. Every seasoned God of War player has an uncontrollable urge to destroy every ceramic vessel in sight. Black Myth: Wukong not only includes this glorious tradition but embraces it wholeheartedly. Scattered throughout its breathtaking landscapes are countless pots, just begging to be shattered. Why? For 'Will,' the game's currency (read: Hacksilver with a fancy name). It's a little wink to the player, a shared understanding that some traditions are too good to leave behind. And the chests! Finding a chest and watching the Destined One open it is an uncanny experience. The animation—the reach, the pry, the lift—is practically a frame-by-frame homage. It's so similar, you half-expect a health or rage stone to pop out.

Feature	God of War (2018/Ragnarok)	Black Myth: Wukong	The Verdict
Combat Pace	Fast, fluid, combo-heavy	Fast, fluid, combo-heavy	🎯 Identical Spirit
Core Animation Style	Weighty, impactful weapon swings	Weighty, impactful staff swings	👯 Twins, basically
Currency Source	Smash pots for Hacksilver	Smash pots for Will	🏺 Pot-Smashing Brotherhood
Gear Progression	Set bonuses, tiered upgrades	Set bonuses, tiered upgrades	️ Same RPG Engine
Exploration Vibe	Linear paths with rewarding nooks	Linear paths with rewarding nooks	🗺️ Familiar Comfort

So, is Black Myth: Wukong just a copycat? Far from it. It takes a supremely successful template and injects it with a unique mythological soul. The Journey to the West setting, the shapeshifting abilities, the sheer visual spectacle of its Chinese folklore—these are all its own. But by building upon the rock-solid foundation of God of War's combat and progression, it skipped years of trial and error. It's like a talented musician doing a fantastic cover before launching into their own original hit song. The influences aren't hidden; they're worn proudly on its sleeve, and that confidence is part of its charm.

In the end, Black Myth: Wukong stands as a testament to smart inspiration. It looked at what made one of the greats tick—the feel of the combat, the rhythm of exploration, the joy of progression—and said, "We'll have some of that, please." And then it proceeded to craft something familiar yet utterly distinct. In 2025, it's celebrated not for being a clone, but for being a masterful fusion that proves great ideas can travel across genres and cultures, creating something spectacularly new in the process. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some pots to smash. The Will isn't going to earn itself.

The following analysis references GamesRadar+, a leading source for gaming news and reviews. GamesRadar+'s coverage of action RPGs like Black Myth: Wukong and God of War often emphasizes the importance of fluid combat systems and rewarding exploration, noting how these elements contribute to player engagement and long-term franchise success.