Black Myth: Zhong Kui — Game Science Doubles Down on Horror After Wukong’s Success

When Game Science dropped Black Myth: Wukong last year, it wasn’t just another Soulslike-it was a wake-up call. The studio took ancient Chinese legend, folded it into dazzling Devil May Cry-style spectacle, and then marinated the whole thing in the unapologetic challenge of Elden Ring. That blend clearly struck a chord, because their next move-revealed as Black Myth: Zhong Kui at Gamescom’s Opening Night Live-ditches sunny mythic adventure in favor of something straight out of a fever dream. And honestly, that pivot caught my attention for all the right reasons.

• Shifting from folklore action to horror signals big tonal and gameplay changes.
• New protagonist Zhong Kui promises fresh mechanics built around exorcism and spirit command.
• The teaser’s visuals hint at more experimental monster design and atmosphere.
• This could be a bold step for a studio already known for reinvigorating Chinese mythology in gaming.

Breaking Down the Reveal: More Than Just “Wukong 2”

Let’s get this out of the way: Black Myth: Zhong Kui isn’t a straight sequel. Instead of re-running the Journey to the West playbook, Game Science is using their newfound success to get weird—and, apparently, much scarier. You can tell right from the trailer: rather than the acrobatic monkey king bounding through painterly landscapes, we open with two brothers bickering in the shadows, only to be interrupted by hulking, Lovecraftian demons whose mere presence warps the entire mood. The final shot—Zhong Kui himself astride a battle-ready tiger—signals a new kind of hero for this universe.

For anyone familiar with old-school Zhong Kui lore, this isn’t just a skin swap. Zhong Kui is a big deal in Taoist tales—the god-king of exorcists, a guy whose literal job is hunting monsters. He’s closer to Geralt of Rivia than to Wukong’s playful trickster, and if Game Science leans into that, we’re potentially looking at an action RPG built on commanding spirits, confronting disturbing entities, and maybe even decision-driven exorcisms rather than just hacking and slashing through cannon fodder.

The Horror Pivot: Why It’s Smart (and Risky)

What grabbed me about Zhong Kui’s reveal is that Game Science isn’t content to just play the hits. Wukong already dipped its toes into eerie level design and grotesque bosses, but Zhong Kui looks ready to dive headfirst into the macabre. FromSoftware’s approach—making each new world darker and stranger—proved that players hunger for more than just challenge; we want uneasy atmosphere and creative menace. If Zhong Kui delivers unique horror elements on top of its action roots, Game Science could pull off something that stands apart from the “hard game with swords” template.

But let’s be real: horror is tricky in action games. Lean too much on shock value and it gets old; focus only on gloomy scenery and you risk losing the kinetic flow that made Wukong addictive. I’m hoping Game Science threads the needle and weaves horror into gameplay, not just in art direction. Imagine boss fights where psychological pressure matters, not just your DPS. Maybe spirit possession changes combat mid-fight. There’s room for real innovation if Game Science takes the horror theme seriously.

What Gamers Should Watch For

The trailer doesn’t spill the beans on mechanics, but if you’re familiar with Game Science, they love a showpiece: weird enemies, flex-worthy visuals, precision combat. I’d expect Zhong Kui’s exorcist abilities to unlock new ways to approach encounters—maybe controlling spirits, banishing them, or using them as allies. The main thing I want to see is how those horror elements make the world less predictable. If every encounter can go off the rails thanks to spirit interference, that’s exceedingly cool. But if it’s just a reskin of Wukong with darker paint, this studio risks squandering all its creative goodwill.

In terms of broader context: Chinese mythology is criminally underused in mainstream gaming, and Game Science is one of the few studios to handle it with both respect and spectacle. If Zhong Kui manages to elevate these themes—making horror a genuine part of play, not just window dressing—it might inspire more developers to look east for their next worlds to build. That alone is worth keeping an eye on.

TL;DR

Black Myth: Zhong Kui isn’t just Wukong with spookier lighting. It’s a bold swing at blending horror with action RPG chops rooted in rich Chinese mythology. I’m optimistic, but curious to see if Game Science can innovate rather than just iterate. If they pull it off, we’re in for something genuinely fresh.