2023 has already been a pretty great year for gaming, and it feels like things are just getting started. Within the next few weeks, fans will have their hands on Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom with unique environments and features - two of the most anticipated video game sequels of all time. But while it feels like this year is only just beginning still, there are some that already need to turn their attention to 2024, and one of the biggest groups that need to do so is video game developers.
In the entertainment industry, it's common practice for a project to have a scheduled release date about a year in advance. This is especially true of the gaming industry, where games are often given tentative release windows sometimes two years before they're set to hit store shelves, while they're still very much in development. So, with that said, it's likely that a lot of developers and publishers are currently looking at 2024's calendar, planning their releases carefully, and there's one summer 2024 indie game that they might want to steer clear of.
Black Myth: Wukong Could Be the Surprise Hit of Summer 2024
First announced back in August 2020, Black Myth: Wukong may end up being one of the biggest sleeper hits of summer 2024. A Soulslike based on the classic 16th century Journey to the West Chinese novel, Black Myth: Wukong went viral when its developer Game Science released a 13-minute gameplay trailer back in 2020. Audiences were immediately stunned by the game's unique and impressive presentation, and it's only continued to impress eager fans since its debut.
In August 2021, Game Science revealed another Black Myth: Wukong gameplay trailer, and it was even more breathtaking than the last, with the developer confirming that the project had been shifted onto Unreal Engine 5. Though it's been out for a little while, developers have still barely scratched the surface of what Unreal Engine 5 has to offer, and Black Myth: Wukong could end up being one of the first next-generation games that really showcases everything the powerful engine can do.
If its graphics weren't enough of a draw, Black Myth: Wukong's unique premise and Soulslike gameplay are sure to appeal to many. The Journey to the West tale is one of the most popular stories in Chinese history, having been adapted into TV shows, movies, animes, and even a few different video games, but Black Myth: Wukong could end up being the definitive version of the story for many fans, as long as it stays authentic to the source material all while still being an enjoyable video game. The Soulslike subgenre is also a smart choice for an epic story like Black Myth's, lending itself well to imposing boss fights and spectacular environments. The Soulslike genre has also performed fairly well recently, with Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty selling quite well and attracting a decent audience through Xbox Game Pass.
Of course, there's always room for Black Myth: Wukong to be a disappointment. While it's worked on some mobile games, Black Myth: Wukong is Game Science's first fully-fledged title for consoles and PC, and creating such an ambitious project can be an incredibly difficult task, especially for an inexperienced team, regardless of how talented they are. Last year saw the release of Steel Rising, another ambitious Soulslike, and while it was a solid game, it wasn't quite the hit fans had hoped it would be, and it's possible that Black Myth: Wukong could fall into the same trap.
Black Myth: Wukong is slated for a Summer 2024 release on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X.
