Who is Monkey King? Exploring the lore behind Black Myth: Wukong

Get to know more about the lore of the iconic Monkey King before jumping into the world of Black Myth: Wukong.

Monkey King lore in Black Myth Wukong
The Monkey King is a character in Chinese folklore (Source: GameScience)

The Monkey King, or Sun Wukong, is an immensely popular and beloved figure in Chinese folklore and literature. He was a prominent character in the 16th-century novel Journey to the West. The Monkey King was birthed from a magical stone on the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit. He is seen as an embodiment of the yin and yang. 

Black Myth: Wukong, GameScience’s debut project, takes inspiration from this mythical character’s long and varied history for its in-game narrative. The developer gave a modern twist to the Chinese folktale by framing it as an epic action-adventure experience. 

What is Monkey King’s story in Black Myth: Wukong?

Black Myth Wukong Complete Guide List Transformation Skills and Talents
The Monkey King has various transformations in the game (Source: GameScience)

Sun Wukong is a mystical character, and his story fittingly revolves around themes of immortality and redemption. In Black Myth: Wukong, gamers do not play as Sun Wukong for the most part. Rather, they assume the role of a monkey nicknamed The Destined One, born centuries after the Monkey King’s last appearance.

The Destined One undertakes a massive journey to collect six ancient relics in Black Myth: Wukong as they house the power of the Monkey King. The player’s goal is to retrieve these relics and bring them back to Mount Huaguo. The story, despite having a linear narrative like many other RPGs, constantly evolves with twists and turns that complement the epic boss fights.

Many different creatures from Chinese mythology appear in the game. Some of them, such as Black Bear Guai, play pivotal roles in the Destined One’s journey. The game also places heavy emphasis on the Four Heavenly Kings and Erlang.

What are the Monkey King’s powers?

Black Myth Wukong – All Martial Arts Talents List Guide
Sun Wukong’s Flying Nimbus also shows up in the game. (Source: Game Science)

The Monkey King is credited with a wide range of abilities that players can use in-game. Sun Wukong’s myths serve as direct inspiration for many of them. For example, his staff Ruyi Jingu Bang, which he can compress to the size of a needle, can be seen in the Official Collector’s Edition trailer for Black Myth: Wukong.

The Monkey King also has shapeshifting abilities in the game. The mythical figure’s 72 Earthly Transformations is likely the source of inspiration for this. He has 72 different forms with different powers and abilities, many of which players can use in the game. Additionally, Flying Nimbus, Sun Wukong’s cloud from the folktale, also makes an appearance. 

As the Destined One, players will go on a perilous but unforgettable journey of redemption in Black Myth: Wukong.


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