Chinese Monkey King Takes Gaming World By Storm
Many might recognize the Monkey King, Sun Wukong, from the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, but for a growing number of people, their first encounter with this legendary figure is through a new gaming sensation – Black Myth: Wukong.
Released on August 20, the game has rapidly become a phenomenon, topping sales charts across multiple platforms, including Steam and WeGame.
In just a few hours after its launch, Black Myth: Wukong reached over 1.4 million concurrent players on Steam, surpassing all-time peak records held by major titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Elden Ring.Â
The game’s popularity even caused a surge in Steam’s bandwidth usage, hitting a peak of 70 terabits per second.Â
This remarkable feat has cemented Black Myth: Wukong as the most-played single-player game in Steam’s history.
Developed by Chinese studio Game Science, Black Myth: Wukong is an action role-playing game that immerses players in a richly detailed world inspired by Chinese mythology, particularly the classic novel Journey to the West.Â
Players take on the role of the eponymous Monkey King, embarking on a perilous journey filled with mythical creatures and breathtaking landscapes.
The game’s release has been met with widespread acclaim: It currently holds an impressive score of 82 on aggregate review sites, with IGN giving it an 8 out of 10 and IGN China awarding it a perfect score.Â
Critics have hailed Black Myth: Wukong as a milestone for the Chinese gaming industry, showcasing its potential to compete on a global scale.
The game is available in four versions, with prices ranging from RMB268 for the digital standard edition to RMB1,998 for the physical collector’s edition.Â
The physical versions have already sold out, reflecting the immense demand for this groundbreaking title.
As Black Myth: Wukong continues to break records and captivate gamers worldwide, it is clear that the Monkey King has firmly established himself not just in Chinese folklore, but in the pantheon of global gaming legends.Â
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[Cover image via Game Science]
