Fans hoping Game Science’s Black Myth will grow into a full-fledged video game series have another reason to rejoice. Following last year’s announcement trailer and a Chinese New Year special video earlier this year, the Chinese studio has released a breathtaking 15-minute gameplay trailer for its next title, Black Myth: Zhong Kui.
There’s not much to go on as far as the story goes. The plot remains a mystery at this point. Many Chinese know the story of Zhong Kui, the judge of Hell, but Game Science’s plot probably does not follow the actual folklore. Like Black Myth: Wukong, it probably features a derivative plot or an untold story.
However, the video shows some mechanics derived from Black Myth: Wukong, including topping up health by consuming liquid contained in a gourd. In the 15-minute gameplay trailer, we meet the game’s protagonist, whose name we do not yet know.
The video includes several cutscenes, including one showing how the hero encounters a mentor of sorts who guides him on a quest that has yet to be disclosed to us. The mentor is kind of like the keeper of the various shrines, but it is just one “keeper” who leads the hero through different stages of the quest as a swarm of, ermmm, papers?
Think of it like the Seelie in Genshin Impact, but instead of a glowing, floating spirit, it is a bunch of tiny pieces of paper—incense paper, perhaps?—swarming like bees.
The video also shows off a lot of action. Some of the moves, such as the quick dodge and calling for aid, et cetera, are reminiscent of those in the Wukong game. We noted at least one type of creature that appears to be a variation of one from the other title, specifically a version of the limbless monster called Rock Guai. But in Zhong Kui, it appears to be some kind of tree as opposed to rocks.
Overall, it shares the same vibe as Wukong, but is much darker, befitting the tale of the judge of Hell. And yes, I have completed Black Myth: Wukong, so I am qualified to say that.
Go ahead, grab a cuppa of coffee or tea, or a bucket of popcorn, and enjoy the 15-minute gameplay trailer.
Images: Game Science.