It is 20 August 2026, and for GameScience that date is a tradition binding the Chinese studio and players together for good. It was on that date that Black Myth Wu Kong was revealed to the world in 2020, and ever since, every year, at that precise moment, GameScience makes its big reveals. And today we get the very first gameplay trailer for Black Myth Zhong Kui, its follow-up set in the same universe but with an entirely new character. And the studio seems determined not to simply repeat the Black Myth Wukong formula, with a combat system that looks far more focused on the sword and on martial arts. Where Wukong’s Destined One relied largely on his staff and on particularly acrobatic moves, the new protagonist favours the sword, martial arts and much heavier attacks.
We also notice that our character is more mobile and has more movement options than Wu Kong. While he can dodge with the same sidestep as our monkey warrior, the hero of Black Myth Zhong Kui can also parry attacks and has more melee moves, which makes for more organic fights. We also see that he can set his sword ablaze and use paper talismans to help him in combat. Finally, we realise that it is possible to summon other characters to help us, but also to play as them by teleporting our spirit into someone else’s body
A mysterious warrior facing the spirits
Otherwise, these 15 minutes of gameplay also tell a story, and we follow a young swordsman accompanied by an old man through a forest. After setting off an explosion beneath some rocks and escaping on a raft, the hero carries his companion before setting him down to take on several armoured enemies. The situation quickly turns strange when the old man appears to disintegrate into a swarm of butterflies or insects, drawing the protagonist into a chase through the forest. It ends in the water, where a gigantic creature surges up with wings reminiscent of clam shells, leading to an imposing boss fight. The video finally ends with an imposing silhouette seen from behind, that of Zhong Kui, riding his huge tiger.
Who is Zhong Kui?
In Chinese mythology, Zhong Kui is a legendary Taoist figure regarded as a ghost hunter and a protector against evil spirits. According to one of the most famous versions of his story, Zhong Kui was a brilliant scholar who passed the imperial examinations but was refused the official post because his appearance was judged terrifying. He took his own life before becoming the King of Ghosts, charged with fighting the forces of evil. The paper talismans visible in the video are in fact a reference to Taoist traditions. Called fu, they are traditionally used for protection and exorcism. Zhong Kui also has a strong association with Chinese New Year, his effigy traditionally being placed on doors in order to protect homes against evil spirits and bad luck.
Unlike Sun Wukong, whose story is intimately tied to Journey to the West, Zhong Kui doesn’t come from a single literary work. His legend was built up over the centuries through religion, folklore, theatre, art and various Chinese literary works. A particularly interesting playground for Game Science after Wukong’s phenomenal success. The first game sold 10 million copies in just three days and passed 2.4 million concurrent players on Steam, before going on to cross the 30-million-copies-sold mark.
For now, Black Myth: Zhong Kui still has no release date. Gamescom 2026 does start next week, however, with an Opening Night Live planned for 25 August. GameScience hasn’t confirmed its attendance, but the game was in fact unveiled at last year’s gamescom.
