Black Myth: Zhong Kui Unveiled by Wukong Developers
Fans of Game Science's highly anticipated action RPG, Black Myth: Wukong, have a new reason to be excited. The studio has officially announced their next project, Black Myth: Zhong Kui, continuing their deep dive into rich Chinese mythology. This new title is set to be the next chapter in the Black Myth series, introducing players to a different hero and story.
Black Myth: Zhong Kui is an upcoming single-player action RPG heavily inspired by Chinese myths and folklore. The game centers around the legendary demon queller, Zhong Kui, whose primary purpose is to banish evil spirits.
The Legend Behind the Game
The character of Zhong Kui has a fascinating origin story in Chinese tradition. Early mentions of him can be found in the writings of Shen Kuo, a Song Dynasty scholar. According to legend, Zhong Kui was a brilliant scholar who traveled to the capital to take the imperial military examination but was unjustly failed due to his disfigured appearance. Overcome with despair, he committed suicide by smashing his head against the palace steps. He was buried in a green burial robe, and out of gratitude, he vowed to rid the Tang Empire of all malevolent spirits.
During the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Xuanzong fell ill for a month without relief. One night, in a feverish dream, he saw a small ghost named Xuhao (meaning “emptiness” or “waste”) sneak into the palace to steal his concubine Yang's embroidered purse and his own jade flute. As the emperor prepared to call for help, Zhong Kui burst into the hall, seized the creature, gouged out its eyes, and swallowed them whole. The emperor awoke in a cold sweat, his illness gone. Interpreting this as a good omen, Xuanzong ordered the court painter Wu Daozi to create a painting titled “Zhong Kui Catches a Ghost.” Since then, it became customary to place images of Zhong Kui on doors at the end of the year, especially on New Year's Eve, to ward off ominous ghosts and quell evil charms. The character's familiar depiction, often riding a tiger, directly influences the game's visuals, as seen in the trailer.
Early Development and Future Vision
Currently, Black Myth: Zhong Kui is in the very early stages of development. To ensure the team remains fully focused on the impending launch of Black Myth: Wukong, Game Science opted to showcase a brief CGI trailer at Opening Night Live rather than a gameplay reveal.
The developers shared their reasoning for creating Zhong Kui instead of a direct sequel to Black Myth: Wukong. They aim to deliver more unique gaming experiences, challenge themselves with bolder features, and introduce fresh ideas into their game world and narrative design. Choosing Zhong Kui was a natural outcome of this ambition and other contributing factors. Game Science expressed confidence that this new project will allow them to implement refreshing changes and create something truly novel, while also critically reflecting on past shortcomings. For all the fans who love Black Myth: Wukong, the developers assured them that the journey to the West is far from over.
While Black Myth: Wukong is set to arrive on Xbox Series tomorrow (August 20th), Black Myth: Zhong Kui currently has no announced release date, with platforms vaguely listed as PC and “major consoles.” This new chapter promises another captivating adventure steeped in the rich tapestry of Chinese mythology.
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