10 Ways Black Myth: Wukong is Going to Be Different Than Soulslikes

As a seasoned gamer who has spent countless hours delving into the intricacies of Soulslike games, I can’t help but feel both intrigued and slightly apprehensive about Game Science’s upcoming release, Black Myth: Wukong. Having honed my skills in dodging, parrying, and block-and-counter tactics through years of experience, I’m eager to see how the focus on dodges over blocks and parries will breathe new life into the combat flow.


Black Myth: Wukong – Deviations from the Soulslike Genre

FASTER COMBAT

A less vague way of expressing this idea could be: “Black Myyth breaks from the typical Soulslike game formula with faster-paced combat. While most games in this genre feature slower, deliberate movements for both regular actions and attacks, Black Myyth introduces quicker and more explosive gameplay.”

MORE LINEAR

In the realm of Soulslikes, each game may approach level design differently, but there’s usually a consistent theme: semi-open, wide-linear worlds with intricately connected paths, numerous shortcuts, hidden areas, and more. However, the upcoming title, Black Myth: Wukong, is bucking this trend. While it will still include branching paths, secrets, and hidden bosses, the game is primarily focused on missions rather than exploration. This shift in design promises a distinct gaming experience from its peers.

WEAPONS

As a gamer, I’ve noticed that when it comes to the “Black Myth: Wukong” game, there’s a key difference between my experience and what I’m used to from other Soulslikes. Instead of exploring various weapon types to discover unique builds, I’ll be honing in on just one primary weapon – Wukong’s staff. This sets “Black Myth: Wukong” apart from titles like “Bloodborne” and “Sekiro,” as it requires me to deeply understand and perfect a single combat style instead of providing the flexibility to experiment with multiple approaches during battles.

LIMITED PROGRESSION

Wukong” offers a more structured and streamlined progression system compared to games like “Dark Souls” or “Elden Ring.” Players will advance through three skill trees with distinct upgrade categories, limiting the number of available options versus a system that lets you freely distribute points among various stats. The game permits you to add points to your skill tree whenever you prefer, unlike typical Soulslike games where you can only do so at designated checkpoints. Additionally, “Black Mych” departs from the conventional Soulslike approach in equipment management by labeling all acquired items based on their rarity with distinct colors.

DE-EMPHASIZED BLOCKING

In the game “Black Myth: Wukong,” the fight sequences are quicker than average for Soulslike titles. Consequently, the emphasis on shielding found in many games within this genre is less relevant here. Instead, the gameplace greater importance on evasive maneuvers, which, however, cannot be overused. After three consecutive dodges, a considerable recovery time is required. Nonetheless, well-timed dodges result in perfect evasions. Overall, the rhythm of combat will be noticeably altered due to the emphasis on dodging rather than blocking and parrying.

PUNISHMENT FOR DEATH

One distinctive feature of Soulslike games is their harsh response to death: you’re forced to return to a previous save point and lose any unused experience points. In the case of Black Myth: Wukong, this mechanic exists, but with a twist. Instead of losing all XP upon demise, the game will only subtract a portion of it. This change should lessen the severity of death penalties and make leveling up more approachable.

APPROACH TO DIFFICULTY

Black Myth’s approach to difficulty deviates from typical Souls-like games in several ways. While Game Science assures us that the game will offer a significant challenge for experienced players, particularly when it comes to defeating bosses, it seems less fixated on being an unyielding test of endurance compared to other titles in this genre. Unlike many Souls-like games, Black Myth: Wukong does not feature adjustable difficulty settings.

PAUSING

Surprisingly, over the past 15 years, Soulslikes games have made it a standard feature for players not being able to pause. If you’ve been longing for a change in this regard, you’re in for good news! Developer Game Science has announced that in Black Myth: Wukong, you will be allowed to halt the game whenever you desire, so feel free to take as many breaks as needed.

TRANSFORMATIONS

The “transformation” feature in Black Myth: Wukong is a unique and eye-catching aspect of the game, differentiating it from many other Soulslike titles. Essentially, this function enables you to assume the form of certain minibosses or bosses that you encounter during your adventure. As a result, you gain the ability to use their moves and skills. This thrilling transformation capability is not common in the Soulslike genre, making us eager to witness its impact on gameplay.

MORE DIRECT STORYTELLING

FromSoftware revolutionized narrative storytelling in games like “Demon’s Souls,” leading to a devoted fanbase deeply engaged with the intricate lore. Over time, this method was adopted by numerous Soulslikes, albeit with varying degrees of success. In contrast, “Black Myth: Wukong” intends to deviate from the usual cryptic, veiled storytelling approach prevalent in Soulslike games. Instead, it plans to deliver a clearer and more traditional narrative style.

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2024-07-24 14:11