Walking into the world of Black Myth: Wukong feels like stepping into a living, breathing mythological tapestry—one where every thread could kill you. I’ve spent more hours than I care to admit diving into boss-rush style games, but this one? It’s different. As an elaborate boss rush, the game truly lives and dies on the quality of its encounters, and let me tell you, most of them are absolutely excellent. Each of the six chapters throws a rogue’s gallery of thrilling Yaoguai at you, and these aren’t your run-of-the-mill fantasy beasts. We’re talking everything from a giant black bear that charges like a freight train to a traditional Chinese dragon weaving through storm clouds, a blood-spattered tiger that stalks you with unnerving patience, and so many more in between. The sheer variety keeps you on your toes—just when you think you’ve seen it all, the game introduces something new, something wilder.

Now, here’s where things get interesting: blocking isn’t part of your toolkit. Not even a little. The only form of parrying comes from a magic spell tied to a cooldown timer, which means you’re going to be doing a whole lot of dodging. I can’t stress this enough—if you want to survive, you need to master the art of evasion. At first, that might sound intimidating, especially if you’re not usually into tough action-RPGs. But here’s the twist: outside of a handful of brutal encounters in the later chapters, Black Myth: Wukong isn’t as punishing as you might think. I say this as someone who’s cut their teeth on soulslikes for years—my perspective might be a bit skewed, but honestly? I took down a good number of the game’s bosses on my very first try. Yeah, you heard that right. About five or six of them fell before I even had time to break a sweat.

That doesn’t mean the game is easy, though. Far from it. I still wouldn’t call Black Myth: Wukong “approachable,” because when it gets tough, it gets really tough. The most challenging bosses—I’m looking at you, three-phase lightning wolf—can wipe the floor with you in seconds if you’re not prepared. And since there aren’t any difficulty options, you’re stuck with what the developers gave you. No easy mode to fall back on. But the ramp-up to those intense moments? It’s surprisingly forgiving. The game eases you into its rhythm, teaching you patterns and pacing without overwhelming you right out of the gate. It’s like a dance instructor who starts with the basic steps before throwing in the spins and dips.

I remember one fight against a towering, four-armed Yaoguai shrouded in mist. It was late, my coffee had gone cold, and I’d already died seven times. But that eighth attempt? Everything clicked. I dodged, weaved, and struck with precision I didn’t know I had. When it finally fell, I actually stood up and cheered. That’s the magic of Black Myth: Wukong—it makes you feel like a legend in the making. You’re not just mashing buttons; you’re learning, adapting, and overcoming. And while I’ve faced harder games overall, few have made victory taste this sweet.

If you’re on the fence about picking this up, I’d say go for it. Don’t let the “souls-like” label scare you off. The journey is challenging but fair, packed with breathtaking moments and enemies that feel less like obstacles and more like characters in their own right. Just remember: dodge like your life depends on it—because in this game, it really does.