Few games steal headlines in the way Black Myth: Wukong enraptured the gaming space at launch, with the Game Science product breaking several formidable records along the way. Drawing inspiration from one of the most famous characters in Chinese mythology – the Monkey King, Sun Wukong from the classic novel Journey to the West – Black Myth: Wukong bears some similarity to Dragon Ball Z's narrative.
On paper, these two adaptations couldn't be more different; one is a highly intensive and expansive action RPG steeped in Chinese culture, and the other is a staple anime franchise that defined the shonen genre before the category's popularity boom. However, their shared interests in the Monkey King's myths bring them together, and this intersection forms the basis for comparison, no matter how far-fetched it may appear.
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Black Myth: Wukong and Dragon Ball Z Are Strange Bedfellows
There are multiple lenses under which both franchises can be compared. For starters, of the two adaptations, Black Myth: Wukong stays much closer to the source material. The game portrays a more traditional depiction of the Monkey King set after the events of Journey to the West, even allowing players to have a taste of his full might for the first few minutes of the game before stepping into the shoes of the Destined One – the relic of Sun Wukong’s mind and his next reincarnation. In Dragon Ball Z, Goku (whose name is derived from Sun Wukong’s Japanese name, Son Goku) is more metaphorically based on the Monkey King. Instead of being a literal monkey, Goku is an alien from the Saiyan race, but he retains some of Wukong's essential characteristics, including a strong moral compass and a carefree, adventurous nature.
Early iterations of Dragon Ball featured Goku’s iconic flying Nimbus and his Power Pole, which were integrated as a nod to Sun Wukong's cloud-riding. While Dragon Ball's efforts can't be sniffed at, Black Myth: Wukong relates the tale of Sun Wukong at a deeper level, with Game Science including core abilities such as shape-shifting and summoning clones of himself. The Destined One’s journey, which starts as an attempt to gather all of Sun Wukong’s relics to resurrect him, becomes one of enlightenment as players inadvertently learn the inner workings of the Chinese mythological figure.
Visual Designs And Setting Are Where Black Myth: Wukong and Dragon Ball Z's Adaptations Differ Greatly
Regarding visual design, Dragon Ball Z and Black Myth: Wukong take very different approaches. In Dragon Ball Z, Goku’s appearance retains scant direct connections to the Monkey King, other than in his early childhood and Super Saiyan 4 transformation, which features him with a tail. Goku’s multiple forms and transformations are also a nod to Sun Wukong’s mastery of different forms, though with an anime twist, which includes hair color changes and glowing auras.
Besides these, perhaps the greatest clue to Dragon Ball Z's Wukong heritage lies in Saiyans having access to a Great Ape form, which they can transform into during the full moon. On the other hand, Black Myth: Wukong presents a more direct interpretation of the Monkey King, focusing on comprehensive monkey-like features. The game’s art also leans into realism with a blend of intricately designed mythical landscapes that bring out the beauty of the legend. In contrast, Dragon Ball Z favors bright backdrops that range from Earth's cities and alien planets to deserts and deep space.
In narrative building, Dragon Ball Z is centered around martial arts and extraterrestrial threats, blending action and comedic elements into one of the most successful anime and manga in history. Black Myth: Wukong takes a more spiritual approach, focusing on the heritage of the original legendary character and the mythology surrounding him. Despite their marked differences, Black Myth: Wukong and Dragon Ball Z share some overlaps, a point underscored by some modders coming together to create a mod where players can play as Goku instead of the original protagonist.
Black Myth: Wukong
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 82 /100 Critics Rec: 80%
- Released
- August 20, 2024
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Game Science
- Publisher(s)
- Game Science
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- How Long To Beat
- 39 hours
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
