An opinion piece by Edward Pearson
I’ve seen, in some recent IGN comment sections, heated debates as to whether or not Black Myth: Wukong is a Soulslike game. There were opinions seen from both sides and like every other public Instagram comment section, the incessant and self-entitled anger made me feel more depressed than I already am.
I’m not blind to the irony that, as I’m writing to inform, I’m also just presenting my opinion the same as everyone else who types on the internet. The difference here however is that I try to take every aspect of a debate (especially related to games) into account and have some degree of respect for differing viewpoints rather than just dismissing them. Plus no one even reads my reviews, and I’m not hurling abuse at a stranger over the internet.
Hatred of modern internet culture aside, I think the question of “Is Black Myth: Wukong a Soulslike?” isn’t one with a definitive answer. Not only is the subgenre more of a comparable statement rather than a categorisation, but it’s widely up to interpretation as to what the criteria are.
Other than Fromsoftware Games’ titles that end with the word ‘Souls’, it’s difficult to gauge just how worthy some games are of the title. Lies of P, which came out last year, felt very, very similar to the ‘Fromsoft’ style, even if it included its own upgrade systems and unique arm-based abilities. I think most people don’t have a problem with P being considered a Soulslike, but one that I’ve discussed with other Souls fans has been Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, also utilising a prosthetic arm mechanic. Even though the game was developed by Fromsoft’, some have said that it’s different enough that it’s not Soulslike at all thanks to a larger emphasis on movement and storytelling, not to mention its setting not being traditionally in line with Souls games.
Well, what about Nioh? That game features difficult bosses, retrievable souls, and punishing gameplay that isn’t dissimilar. Is it not Soulslike because it features a stance-based combat system? Or maybe it’s because of the level structure? Or maybe even that it has collectable Kodama Spirits. If you google what defines the genre it states that environmental storytelling and a typically Dark Fantasy setting are key features, alongside the staple of punishing gameplay, but where is the line drawn for story shown through dialogue, opening cutscenes and boss fight speeches? The term Dark Fantasy is also quite a broad statement, and also up for interpretation.
I think that, like the Metroidvania subgenre, which also derives from specific franchises (early Metroid and Castlevania titles), it gets difficult to pinpoint what makes up the genetic material of that label. For the aforementioned 2d subgenre I’d say a sprawling map with paths that are blocked by a specific upgrade like Hollow Knight and Blasphemous are, but others might see a randomly generated procedural platformer such as Neon Abyss and say that, because of its similarities in level structure to Metroid titles, it is worthy of the title.
Who is anyone to say otherwise, given that the early creators of games like Super Metroid, Castlevania Symphony of the Night, and Dark Souls, were simply building upon the earlier games in their respective series (Demon Souls for the latter) not trying to conform to a specific genre, or even create one. Unless someone comes forward and claims the conception of the subgenre, let people interpret it as they want.
Wukong has difficult bosses, a healing gourd similar to the flask mechanic, roll-like dodging, a form of parrying, an equivalent to bonfires, equipable armour and trinket slots, a form of levelling, a silent protagonist, and even controls that are reminiscent of a Souls game. A lot of the features just mentioned are also applicable to games in the Action/RPG/Adventure genres and not exclusive to Souls titles bare in mind. Wukong also has features not in Souls games, like transformation abilities, skill trees, and only one type of weapon. Another point to note is that Wukong is an adaptation of a widely recognised work, Journey to the West and therefore has a greater storytelling emphasis. But to a similar extent, so was Lies of P, so does that even really make much difference.
I think that people saying that the game isn’t anything like a Souls title should maybe reconsider that statement. Even if you don’t believe that this game is true Soulsike, it’s incredibly difficult to deny the similarities. Both sides have a point when it comes to the yes or no answer, as again, the term means different things to purists and casual players. I personally go back and forth on the titular question but usually come out with yes. I wouldn’t judge someone for saying otherwise, as the game has unique aspects that can be taken as unbefitting of a Fromsoftware title. The main one for me is the larger emphasis on characters like Yellowbrow and particularly Zhu Bajie, along with the often crucial cutscenes involving them, which might not fit in a Souls title.
Should more games adhere to set standards? Does building upon a successful formula create an entirely separate entity? Should you ever call a stranger on the internet autistic for disagreeing with you? These are all questions that are worth a discussion and not something you can definitively answer. Except for the last one, the answer is no, you shouldn’t.
Wukong Review will be out when I finish the game.
Probably. If not then it’s good, pretty great even, but has a few flaws.
