Black Myth: Wukong is, without a shadow of doubt, one of the best action role-playing games out there. Last week, I reviewed the PC version and came away deeply impressed with its breathtaking visuals and engaging gameplay mechanics. However, there had been some concerns with how the PlayStation 5 version was shaping up on a technical level.
Given the lack of PS5 reviews last week, it’s a given that many players, including myself, were skeptical about how the game would perform on Sony’s console in terms of technical optimization. We have, aftr all, a number of games that have performed poorly at launch on consoles (I am looking at you, Cyberpunk 2077 and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor), so the lack of console reviews for Black Myth definitely raised an eyebrow or two. But after spending hours with the PS5 version of the game, I can confidently state that the experience is as good as the PC build.
“From a technical perspective, Black Myth: Wukong is a pleasant surprise on the PlayStation 5, delivering crisp image quality at stable frame rates.”
From a technical perspective, Black Myth: Wukong on the PS5 features everything that you should expect from a modern console release. The game features three graphical modes, namely Quality, Balance, and Performance. As those names suggest, Performance mode lowers the resolution to run the game at a higher frame rate, Balance mode provides the ideal balance between resolution and frame rate, and Quality mode lowers the frame rate to achieve a higher rendering resolution.
However, there is more to it than meets the eye. Quality mode renders the game at what looks like 1440p at a target frame rate of 30 frames per second. Performance mode, on the other hand, renders the game at what looks like 1080p, but ramps up the frame rate to 60. Balance mode probably targets a resolution between 1440p and 1080p but brings down the frame rate to the 40s. The performance in all three modes is reasonably good, for the most part. There are noticeable hiccups here and there, but what we are looking at is ultimately a mostly stable version that can still be improved through future patches.
Compared to PC, the PS5 version obviously lags in some graphical features, like shadows and post processing quality, but overall, it comes really close to high settings on PC, especially in Quality mode. This is extremely impressive, given that the PC version is a state-of-the-art product. Furthermore, I observed that the load times were much faster on the PS5. This could vary from location to location, but you definitely don’t have to wait too long on the PlayStation 5 to fast travel. From a technical perspective, Black Myth: Wukong is a pleasant surprise on the PlayStation 5, delivering crisp image quality at stable frame rates.
“There is a lot to choose here, with whole trees dedicated to things like Stamina and Survival.”
It not only manages to deliver breathtaking visuals, thanks to its fantastic art style, but also manages to push the Unreal Engine 5 to its limit. I am sure that we will see more graphically stunning games on the PS5 in the future as the console approaches its end-of-life years, but as of now, Black Myth: Wukong is easily one of the best-looking console games on it.
Talking about the gameplay, everything I said about the PC version in my aforementioned review stands true here, as you’d expect. The combat is the core pillar of the experience in Black Myth: Wukong, and focuses on a single type of weapon: your trusty staff. If you have played other action role playing games of this ilk, like Bloodborne, you will feel right at home with Black Myth: Wukong. With its focus on quick reaction times, you will need to dodge and slash your way through this epic adventure with precision.
Where progression is concerned, just like many of its contemporaries, Black Myth: Wukong focuses on earning skill points in order to make your character stronger. There is a lot to choose here, with whole trees dedicated to things like Stamina and Survival. Then there are stances, which are further split into three types. Each of them has multi-layered skills, which makes the respective stance type stronger. Personally, I preferred investing in the Smash stance, but I could totally see someone investing more in, say, the Pillar Stance, as it has a number of cool-looking moves.
“Players can craft consumables that can increase their attack stats or become resistant against a certain effect, like fire or freeze.”
You can also craft different types or armor, which get unlocked as you progress through the game. Similarly, you will unlock different types of staves, and some of them have their own internal upgrade paths. The game’s level design urges the player to explore every nook and cranny of the world, and as you collect more resources, you will be able to craft powerful items and potions.
Black Myth: Wukong also uses Will, an in-game currency that players can earn by exploring and defeating enemies. Using that in conjunction with resources, players can craft medicines and buffs, which, as you might imagine, will be useful during difficult encounters. Players can craft consumables that can increase their attack stats or become resistant against a certain effect, like fire or freeze. All of this comes together to create an engaging combat system, one that may look simple on paper, but is actually deceptively nuanced and, of course, incredibly adrenaline-fueled.
However, the real stars of the show are the boss fights. Black Myth: Wukong pits you against a variety of bosses, varying in everything from their design to their difficulty. Where the latter is concerned, learning their patterns and weakness is much more of an approachable experience compared to, say, something like Dark Souls or Elden Ring.
“Black Myth: Wukong is easily one of the best PS5 games out there.”
Black Myth: Wukong is easily one of the best PS5 games out there, let alone one of the best action role-playing games on the system. There is definitely scope for further polish as far as frame rate is concerned, and the addition of an in-game map would have been appreciated, but the many positives simply eclipse those shortcomings. Its fast-paced combat, thrilling boss encounters, a simple but engaging progression and crafting system, and excellent visuals make Black Myth: Wukong a must-play title for anyone who owns a PS5. It will be interesting to see what developer Game Science will do with IP in the future.
This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.
