This is getting a lot of buzz. Anyone play?
Black Myth: Wukong Review - GAME OF THE YEAR MATERIAL
This made Nat Geo
The real history behind the legend of Sun Wukong, China’s Monkey King
Video game “Black Myth: Wukong” is introducing an entirely new audience to the star character from 16th century classic “Journey to the West.”
A woodblock print of the The Monkey King Songok.
The Monkey King made a big impression across Asia and the West, where Son Wukong inspired comics from DC and Marvel. Here, an 1824 woodblock print from Japan depicts the character. Later in Japan, Son Goku of the Dragon Ball series was born, inspired by Son Wukong.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART, NEW YORK,H. O. HAVEMEYER COLLECTION, BEQUEST OF MRS. H. O. HAVEMEYER, 1929
By Parissa DJangi
August 29, 2024
Sun Wukong, a monkey with human characteristics and abilities, is one of the best loved and most enduring characters in Chinese literature. Armed with a staff and extraordinary abilities, Sun Wukong, aka The Monkey King, comes from the 16th-century classic Journey to the West.
In the centuries since his literary debut, Sun Wukong has been the subject of movies, TV shows, and games across both the East and the West. Most recently, his story inspired the video game Black Myth: Wukong, introducing new audiences to the beloved character.
The seed of Sun Wukong’s story lies in a real-life pilgrimage
The story of Sun Wukong begins with history, not myth. In 629, Xuanzang, a Buddhist monk in China, began a 16-year, 10,000-mile journey to track down holy texts in India. Xuanzang’s account of his journey, Records of the Western Regions, became so ingrained in the Chinese imagination that they served as the basis for the novel Journey to the West, which first appeared in print in the 1590s.
The Buddhist monk Xuanzang traveling with a tiger on the Silk Road.
Artwork from the 800s depicts Buddhist monk Xuanzang on his 10,000-mile journey to track down holy texts in India two centuries earlier.
PHOTOGRAPH BY PICTURES FROM HISTORY, BRIDGEMAN IMAGES
The novel, attributed to writer Wu Cheng’en, fictionalizes Xuanzang’s journey, transforming the historical figure into the fictional monk Tang Sanzang. He is joined by three mythical helpers who protect him on his pilgrimage, including a monkey called Sun Wukong.
Birth of the Monkey King
Scholars can’t say for certain where the character of Sun Wukong came from, but Journey to the West likely borrowed from existing myths and legends. Some possible sources of inspiration for the character include Wuzhiqi, an ape-like figure in Chinese mythology, and Hanuman, a Hindu god with a monkey’s face.
Despite unresolved questions about the character’s roots, there is no ambiguity surrounding Sun Wukong’s origin story in Journey to the West: A stone gives birth to an egg, which transforms into Sun Wukong. He likely appears as a macaque, a kind of monkey that lives throughout Asia.
He soon earns the title “Monkey King” through a daring act of courage. While living with fellow monkeys on Flower Fruit Mountain, they stumble on a waterfall. Sun Wukong volunteers to jump across the stream of water to see what is on the other side. He discovers a cave, and the monkeys reward his bravery by naming him their king.
Sun Wukong has superhuman abilities and plays by his own rules
Sun Wukong possesses extraordinary powers. Among them: 72 Transformations, which enable him to shape-shift. Space is no obstacle for him, and one story recounts how he travels thousands of miles with a single somersault.
Journey to the West also extols Sun Wukong’s martial skills, aided by his strength, staff, and ability to fly.
Sun Wukong embodies many of the characteristics people associate with monkeys, including mischievousness. As a trickster figure, he shares attributes with other fixtures of myth and legend, such as Loki, Reynard, and Brer Rabbit.
The Monkey King bristles against authority, and he is troubled by the fact that there is one thing he’ll never be able to conquer: death. So he sets out to gain immortality, spending years wandering the world in search of it.
His journey to find immortality takes him all the way to heaven, the realm of the Jade Emperor. The Monkey King gets into all manner of mischief there, including sneaking into forbidden parts of the palace. In another incident, he gorges on special peaches and spoils a royal banquet.
Sun Wukong even proclaims himself the Jade Emperor’s equal. The Jade Emperor seeks help from the Buddha to punish him, and so he imprisons the Monkey King in a mountain. He remains incarcerated there for 500 years, until an unexpected opportunity for redemption arises.
Sun Wukong’s great journey
When Tang Sanzang begins his travels in Journey to the West, he comes across Sun Wukong, still imprisoned in the mountain. The monkey agrees to protect him on his pilgrimage so that he can win his freedom.
On the road, Sun Wukong proves to be a formidable bodyguard for the monk as demons and spirits pursue the travelers. Some of them hope to prevent Tang Sanzang from collecting the holy texts; others believe they can become immortal by consuming the monk’s body. None of these villains are successful, thanks to Sun Wukong’s powers. In thanks for this, Sun Wukong is elevated to become an honorary Buddha.
Scene from ‘Journey to the West’ near the Great Buddha Temple, Zhangye, Gansu Province.
A mural at the Great Buddha Temple in China’s Gansu Province shows a scene from Journey to the West.
PHOTOGRAPH BY PICTURES FROM HISTORY, DAVID HENLEY / BRIDGEMAN IMAGES
Though Journey to the West was technically about Tang Sanzang’s pilgrimage, readers embraced Sun Wukong, and he became the most popular character in the novel.
Sun Wukong spent parts of Journey to the West searching for immortality, and he eventually found it in the real world: in literature and pop culture. In this rich afterlife, Sun Wukong has inspired films, plays, television series, video games, and comic books, ensuring that this enduring character will continue to embark on new adventures with future generations.
‘Black Myth’ art show turns legend into trend
By Zhong YiPublished: Apr 20, 2025 10:46 PM[IMG2=JSON]{“data-align”:“none”,“data-size”:“full”,“src”:“https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0/attachment/2025/2025-04-20/11d9934b-aed7-4449-9430-7b8c1444e3a7.jpeg”}[/IMG2]
Illustration: Liu Xiangya/GT
The ongoing Black Myth: Wukong Art Exhibition at the Art Museum of China Academy of Art in East China’s Zhejiang Province stands as an exploration of how to fuse games and artistic expression. As a scholar specializing in game design and art, I have always been engaged in this intersection, and this exhibition offers a compelling case of how deeply games can participate in the language of art.
The exhibition features life-sized recreations of core in-game elements, including the statue of the Great Sage, the Ruyi Jingu Bang (Golden-banded Staff), and the head of the Bodhisattva Lingji. It also showcases a rich collection of concept art and design sketches - offering viewers a full glimpse into the creative process from rough drafts to finalized works.
Unlike conventional art exhibitions that focus on concept art and sketches, this one has created a walk-in narrative space. Such three-dimensional storytelling reminds me that the power of culture lies not only in visual precision, but also in the immersive atmosphere it creates.
What struck me most was the large-scale sculpture installation. Opposite the monk of Huangfeng Ridge stands the solemn Buddha head of the Bodhisattva Lingji - two figures locked in silent confrontation, generating powerful visual and emotional tension. Despite the fact that these are the only two sculptures at the exhibition, they freeze the entire space in a single narrative moment, radiating a quiet energy.
Tucked into one corner of the exhibition is a “meditation point” - a direct recreation of the in-game save system. I saw some visitors taking selfies, while a few listened intently to the ambient wind sounds within the hall.
This small design choice disrupted the typical “see and move on” rhythm of art exhibitions, encouraging people to pause - to catch their breath, just as one might in the game.
Notes scribbled on some of the design drafts - such as “inspired by Dunhuang Feitian scepters” or “reference: Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio” - sparked a wave of curiosity and discussion among culturally engaged visitors like myself.
These details invited us not only to look, but to dig deeper into the roots of Chinese tradition.
In my experience, cultural exhibitions often wrestle with a dilemma: They want to evoke emotion and convey ideas, yet fear being misunderstood. However, this exhibition doesn’t compromise itself for the sake of accessibility. It doesn’t try to guide you with in-game dialogue or plot summaries. Instead, it trusts visitors to feel their own way into this world.
The texture of the sculptures, the handling of sound, the direction of light - all of it serves as subtle cues, leaving vast spaces for visitors to fill with their own interpretations.
This made me reflect on my own design practice. I often find myself debating: “Should I explain why I made this choice? Should I offer a clear historical or conceptual background?”
The exhibition offers a different answer. Cultural expression doesn’t have to be a textbook-style retelling - it can be an ongoing invitation to the senses and emotions. The exhibition ignites collective memories of Journey to the West through the language of games, while reimagining those memories through visual design and spatial storytelling.
You can “tell a story,” or you can “build an emotion” - but the most important thing is not to rush into explaining who you are. Instead, give your audience a space to feel the world you’re trying to create. Let them discover it, one breath, one shadow, one silence at a time.
Looking back at Black Myth: Wukong through the lens of this art exhibition, I realize its true brilliance lies in how it communicates profound cultural heritage through the most approachable means. It doesn’t shy away from symbols that Chinese visitors already know. Nor does it get lost in abstract, avant-garde experimentation.
Instead, behind the thrilling battles of demons and deities, it calls us back to the original story of Journey to the West - to reconsider the legacy’s deeper themes of heroism, faith, and humanity.
What a game brings is more than just an IP or a new mode of interaction - it represents one of the most integrative forms of storytelling in our time. It can carry tradition, but it can also reconstruct it.
The true significance of this exhibition for me lies in the cultural confidence it conveys.
It does not seek to translate itself through a Western lens, nor does it rush to prove the value of Chinese culture. Instead, it naturally and authentically integrates tradition with contemporary expression.
As Black Myth: Wukong demonstrates, when we possess both the ability to tell our own stories and the means to evoke emotional resonance, culture is no longer a static heritage - it becomes a living, evolving force.
This calm and resolute form of expression is the truest reflection of cultural confidence in our time. It is neither condescending nor overly accommodating, but opens a window through which the world may come to understand China - and the East - through acts of creation.
The article was compiled by Global Times reporter Jiang Li based on an interview with Zhong Yi from the China Academy of Art. life@globaltimes.com.cn
I’ve seen some images on IG of this and it looks great.
By Priye Rai
Published 3 days ago
[IMG2=JSON]{“data-align”:“none”,“data-size”:“full”,“src”:“https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/wm/2025/09/golden-arches-mcdonald-s-the-destined-one-black-myth-wukong.jpg?&fit=crop&w=1600&h=900”}[/IMG2] Black Myth: Wukong and McDonald’s have come together for a collaboration, bringing limited-time menu items and merchandise across the latter’s outlets in China. Often dubbed as the first-ever AAA console title to come out of China, Black Myth: Wukong is one of the biggest game releases in recent years. [IMG2=JSON]{“data-align”:“none”,“data-size”:“full”,“src”:“https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/black-myth-wukong.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2”}[/IMG2]
McDonald’s partnering with a popular IP isn’t something new or rare, and there have been various instances of the restaurant chain collaborating with some of the biggest names in gaming. Notably, the special merchandise that often comes hand-in-hand with such collaborations is the key highlight of these brand arrangements. Earlier this year, the extreme popularity of Pokemon collectibles from McDonald’s Japan even led to scalping incidents, which are otherwise seen during mainstream hardware launches. As the latest addition to the list of high-profile team-ups, McDonald’s has announced a limited-time promotion with Black Myth: Wukong.
✕Remove Ads
Black Myth: Wukong and McDonald’s Come Together in an Intriguing Collab
In its latest announcement (via Google Translate), McDonald’s China unveiled a collaboration with the highly successful Black Myth: Wukong for the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival in the country. Courtesy of the team-up, a host of limited-time menu items, including a unique black bun burger, will be served in packaging modeled around the 2024 action-RPG during this period. From September 20 to October 7, the Full Moon Market event will also be held, divided into phases, in outlets across Shanghai, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Beijing, Xiamen, Changsha, and Wuhan. As part of this, visitors will be able to partake in activities to win special limited-time rewards. A McDonald’s Black Myth Limited Edition Board Game, which features three characters from the game and three related to the golden arches brand, has also been announced for a September 30 launch.
[IMG2=JSON]{“data-align”:“none”,“data-size”:“full”,“src”:“https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/black-myth-wukong-collab-meals-mcdonald-s-china.jpg?q=70&fit=crop&w=640&dpr=1”}[/IMG2]
Moreover, 42 McDonald’s outlets across 14 Chinese cities have been revealed to be decorated in Black Myth: Wukong’s theme, featuring characters such as Tian Ming Ren, Yang Jian, and Zhu Bajie. Customers can collect three different cards based on these figures and use them to redeem a special-edition mobile phone sticker after October 9. According to Daniel Ahmad’s tweet, a certain meal combo will come bundled with a reversible themed robe, whereas more themed clothing—such as hats, T-shirts, and socks—will also be up for grabs, per Renka_schedule’s post.
[IMG2=JSON]{“data-align”:“none”,“data-size”:“full”,“src”:“https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/black-myth-wukong-collab-food-items-mcdonald-s-china.jpg?q=70&fit=crop&w=640&dpr=1”}[/IMG2]
In other news, Game Science confirmed its next project after Black Myth: Wukong in August, around the same time as the Journey to the West-inspired title’s Xbox launch. Titled Black Myth: Zhong Kui, the upcoming follow-up is also based on a Chinese folklore character and is set to be the second entry in the recently established fantasy IP.
Fast Food Nastiness
Black Myth: Wukong
