Fans of Black Myth will be excited to know, we are getting a sequel in the terms of Black Myth: Zhong Kui
Talk about a way to shock crowds during the opening of Gamescom this year, by announcing that we are getting Black Myth: Zhong Kui. The next title in the line that won so many awards after Game Science brought it to the world last year. That title being Black Myth: Wukong, if you somehow missed that. It looks as if all of the awards, clout, and praise gamers have given that game made it so a new title could be greenlit. Now we have a bit of a cinematic tease to look at for it, and just what it might be bringing to the PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC when it is fully ready for release. Let us dig in and see what death god we might be getting now.
It is still early in the announcement and development cycle for Black Myth: Zhong Kui, so details are a little scarce out there. What we do get to see is that this one will be following the tales and legends of the Zhong Kui. A being, in Chinese lore, who has taken a vow to get rid of all of the ghosts and harmful spectres in the world. This will be the path we have to take, along with getting the same action-adventure gameplay that we have grown to love in the Black Myth title so far. Along with the stunning visuals and animations that first sold the original title, before many knew it to be more than a tech demo by a smaller studio. Here is a look at the little bit we do have for it, but it is all cinematic. So, do not think it will be anything we can truly expect in the final game as of yet.
Black Myth: Zhong Kui — Teaser
Black Myth: Zhong Kui is a single-player action role-playing game rooted in ancient Chinese fantasy. It is developed by Game Science, the studio behind Black Myth: Wukong, using Unreal Engine 5. As the second title in the Black Myth series, the game is set against the backdrop of the classic Chinese folktale “Zhong Kui Banishing Evil.”
Game Science officially announced that Black Myth: Zhong Kui is in development and released its first CG trailer. The specific release date and further details are yet to be confirmed.
The release of this CG short marks Black Myth: Zhong Kui’s official entry into development. Black Myth: Zhong Kui is a single-player action role-playing game inspired by the myths and folklore of ancient China.
The game will deliver distinctive experiences and gameplay features that push our limits, while also bringing fresh ideas and necessary changes to address past flaws and regrets.
The story of Zhong Kui was first recorded in “Tang Yishi” (“Unofficial History of the Tang Dynasty”) and gained wider circulation through Northern Song scholar Shen Kuo’s (1031–1095) “Dream Pool Essays.” Born on Mount Zhongnan, Zhong Kui travelled to Chang’an during Emperor Gaozu’s Wude reign to sit the imperial military examination but failed. In despair, he struck his head on the palace steps and died. Grateful for the green burial robe (the attire of lower-ranking officials, a token of imperial recognition) bestowed by Gaozu, he vowed to rid the Tang realm of every Xuhao (Chinese: 虚耗, Xūhào, meaning “wasteful expenditure” and “consuming blessings for nothing”) ghosts and harmful spectres.
Legend
During the Kaiyuan era of the Tang dynasty, Emperor Xuanzong fell ill, and a month of treatment brought no relief. One night, while asleep in sickness, he dreamed of a small ghost slipping into the palace to steal Consort Yang’s embroidered sachet and his own jade flute. The ghost called itself Xuhao, a bringer of waste and disperser of blessings. Just as the emperor was about to summon someone to expel it, Zhong Kui rushed into the hall, seized the creature in one swift motion, gouged out its eyes, and swallowed them whole. The emperor awoke drenched in a cold sweat—only to find his illness cured.
Taking this as an auspicious omen, Xuanzong ordered the court painter Wu Daozi to create “Zhong Kui Capturing the Ghost.” From then on, it became customary to paste images of Zhong Kui on household doors at year’s end, especially on New Year’s Eve, to “banish baleful wraiths, and still the miasma of evil.”
Were you a mega-fan of the original Black Myth, and did you think we would see a sequel to the line at some point? How do you think things will shift for the Zhong Kui in terms of action, or will it be a lot of the same we have experienced already? How long do you think it will take for the team to get this one out there, and will it be faster than before now that they have one under their belt? Let us all discuss this down in the comments. We were huge fans of the first title, and are eagerly looking forward to seeing what Black Myth: Zhong Kui has to share in the world. Keep on coming back here to see and hear about all of these things as the development marches onward out there. We will do what we can to keep you updated.