Katarzyna Petru
At the end of this year's Opening Night Live at gamescom 2025, the Chinese studio Game Science decided to go all in. In a place where most players expected to see the first details of the expansion for Black Myth: Wukong, the developers served up something completely different – a full-fledged new installment in the series titled Black Myth: Zhong Kui.
Surprise Instead of Obviousness
Even before the start of the trade fair, industry rumors indicated that Game Science was preparing DLC for Wukong. Video materials showcasing underwater gameplay segments were supposed to confirm these assumptions. Meanwhile, the studio opted for a surprise – and a significant one at that, because the new installment of Black Myth is not an expansion, but a separate game that continues the idea of building its own universe based on Chinese mythology.
What can we expect from Zhong Kui?
So far, there are few specifics. The creators have not revealed either a release date or details about the plot. It is only known that the game is set to be released "soon" on PC and "mainstream consoles," which practically means PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The presented trailer did not show any gameplay footage, but considering the direction taken with Wukong, one can assume that Zhong Kui will offer spectacular battles against monumental opponents and a plot deeply rooted in Chinese legends.
The trilogy closer than ever?
It's worth reminding that unofficial reports had already emerged earlier claiming that Game Science was working on a whole trilogy of games drawing heavily from the mythology of the Middle Kingdom. Zhong Kui seems to be the first confirmation of these plans. Moreover, in the press materials, the studio suggested that Wukong has not yet been definitively shelved. On the producer's website, there is a note: “the journey to the West is not over yet”.
Why a new game now, and not an expansion?
The creators do not hide the fact that the choice of a new direction allows them to reach for fresh and bolder ideas. In the case of Wukong, some solutions were limited by technology - players complained, among other things, about invisible walls and a lack of freedom in exploration. The new installment is meant to be an attempt to break through these barriers and a step towards an even more open, epic experience.
One thing is certain – Game Science does not intend to rest on the success of Wukong. Instead, the studio is expanding its universe and trying to offer players something bigger than just a regular expansion. If Zhong Kui maintains the level of the previous installment while also bringing new solutions, the Black Myth series could become one of the most important brands in the world of action RPGs.
Source: gry-online
