Black Myth: Wukong is an action role-playing game.[3][4][5] It has elements characteristic to the Soulslike subgenre.[4][5] The game is played in single-player mode[6][7][8] from a third-person perspective.[3]
The player controls a monkey protagonist referred to as the Destined One, who is based on Sun Wukong from the Journey to the West.[9][6] The protagonist's weapon is a staff, which is based on the Ruyi Jingu Bang from the novel.[9][10] The staff can extend and shrink in size during combat.[9] The three staff stances—the smash, pillar, and thrust stance—provide versatility in fights.[11][6][12][13] The combat mechanics involve resource management.[14] Focus can be accumulated by landing light attacks, executing well-timed dodges, and other means.[15][16] A focus point is gained when the meter for focus is filled up.[14] These points can be used to initiate heavy attacks.[16] A heavy attack can be executed on its own or as a varied combo, which is triggered during light attacks.[17] Stamina is depleted by sprinting, dodging, and attacking.[18][19]
Spells have cooldowns and consume mana.[3][9] They are categorized in mysticism, alteration, strand, and transformations.[20] The protagonist uses transformations to shapeshift into a different creature or being.[21][9] An example is the transformation Red Tides, which takes the form of Guangzhi, a wolfman who wields a flaming glaive.[9] The transformations come with their own movesets and health.[21][9] They are available on cooldown, but do not cost mana.[14] They last until their might, which is depleted by attacking, or health runs out.[9]
Spirits provide a skill and passive effect if they are equipped.[22][23] Defeated yaoguai chiefs may leave behind their spirits, which are acquired if they are absorbed into a gourd.[24] Spirit skills function as transformations to do a unique attack.[23] Qi is used to activate spirit skills.[3][23] An example of a spirit is the Wandering Wight, who does a headbutt attack.[22] Vessels provide a passive effect and an activation effect, which consumes qi, if they are equipped.[25] For example, the Plantain Fan can create a hurricane that staggers enemies.[25]
The game follows a mostly linear progression interspersed with expansive areas.[9] There are keeper's shrines, which act as checkpoints for the player, along the way.[26] Players can reallocate their character's sparks, which are skill points, to change the character's playstyle without restrictions or costs.[27] The game's difficulty cannot be changed by players and is variable throughout a playthrough.[28] There is a New Game Plus after a playthrough is completed.
