It’s exhausting to consider, however after a shocking debut 4 years in the past, Recreation Science’s Black Fable: Wukong is almost upon us. Out there this month for PS5 and PC (with the Xbox Collection X/S model coming later), it’s based mostly on Journey to the West, the legendary Chinese language novel by Wu Cheng’en. Nonetheless, it doesn’t appear to observe the identical story carefully, because the protagonist is named the Destined One, and their precise id is unknown. They nonetheless encounter quite a few challenges, although, from terrifying monsters to dragons.
With all of the Souls-likes we’ve seen through the years, it’s good to see a hack-and-slash title that leans extra into character-driven motion RPG territory (even when there are some Souls-lite parts). Not solely does it look attractive, however it might be the very best title based mostly on the legend of Solar Wukong we’ve seen but. The largest cause I’m so excited for the title is as a result of it’s a boss rush sport.
The time period might sound acquainted – it’s used for modes in varied genres the place the participant should battle a sport’s bosses, one after one other, generally with out therapeutic or replenishing their objects. Generally it’s for glory, as you try to clear the fights as rapidly as doable for a brand new report. On different events, it may be a method to follow in opposition to sure bosses earlier than combating them in the principle story (which is very useful in rogue-like titles resembling Useless Cells). Both approach, they lower out every part else from the bottom sport and get straight to the largest challenges.
Boss rush video games, then again, are titles whose important gameplay aspect is combating bosses. Whereas Souls-likes have the identical parts, they typically flesh out the action-adventure parts with extra puzzles, intensive questlines, exploration, and platforming. Primarily based on previews to date, Black Fable: Wukong presents comparatively extra simple areas – some paths result in difficult elective bosses and a cinematic story with its justifiable share of cutscenes. Nonetheless, the majority of the gameplay focuses on the bosses.
Whereas these previews targeted on early ranges within the sport, with Recreation Science noting the map to be “a lot, a lot larger”, the developer nonetheless categorised it as a “linear sport propelled by its storyline” to Eurogamer. However, there’s been some concern over how barren the areas can really feel regardless of the presence of smaller enemies and supplies to collect.
It’s a degree of competition that’s steadily grown by way of the years because the gameplay was revealed. On the one hand, some declare that it’s not a boss rush title as a result of, properly, we haven’t seen every part that it has to supply by way of world design and quests (which is a good evaluation). On the opposite, some are hesitant about selecting up Wukong as a result of – and I’m paraphrasing right here – “A boss rush sport for $60? No, thanks.”
Each views hinge on expectations, one arguing to see extra earlier than prematurely labeling it. The opposite goes by all of the footage and previews to date whereas looking for one thing extra, whether or not it’s extra bang for his or her buck or one thing past combating bosses. Nonetheless, is being a boss rush sport at its core all that dangerous?
It’s simple to see why the style might come throughout as streamlined, particularly when different motion RPG titles like Elden Ring, and extra supply a lot extra along with robust boss design. That’s removed from the case, given all of the stellar fights that Black Fable: Wukong has displayed through the years.
We’ve seen Guangzhi, a wolf-like monk with a flaming double-blade, which the Destined One should weave and dodge by way of to nail his counterattacks. There’s one other wolf-like boss, however large in dimension and completely feral, attacking in a berserker-like style. Let’s not neglect the tiger boss who, even with a hulking body, reveals sleek martial arts prowess (which you’ll in all probability not take into consideration as a consequence of combating in a pool of shallow blood, possible earlier victims).
You’ve gotten a large serpent floating round, firing off lightning, and the very best useful resource of motion is to smack it within the face as exhausting as doable together with your employees. I’m undecided what the very best technique is in opposition to the enormous insect-like creature that slams its physique into the bottom to crush the Destined One, however fireplace would in all probability be begin. These are simply the tip of the spear, as Recreation Science has showcased dozens of different bosses in that interval, every distinctive, attractive and imaginative in their very own proper.
In a approach, Black Fable: Wukong jogs my memory of Furi from The Recreation Bakers. It didn’t supply another enemies, collectables or upgrades – the exploration consisted of little greater than strolling from one vacation spot to the following as an enigmatic man with a rabbit head spoke to you. In any other case, it was solely boss fights from prime to backside, which might have kind of phases relying on the issue.
Even after eight years, these bosses stay filled with character, describing their tales, giving additional context to the protagonist’s journey, and rather more. They’re additionally difficult, mixing hack-and-slash parts with split-second decision-making and dodging bullet hells. Only a few boss rush titles have captured this identical stage of high quality and problem.
Recreation Science goes for one thing else with its boss designs, however that sheer spectacle – and a few of the extra intriguing parts of the story – is difficult to disclaim. Moreover, it could supply much more with its replay worth as a result of sheer variety of spells and transformations that the Destined One can be taught, by no means thoughts the armor set bonuses, weapons, and construct crafting (and we haven’t seen the very best rarity loot).
There’s additionally intensive combo potential, given the totally different stances that the participant can make use of. Even when it appears streamlined in comparison with your common triple-A motion RPG made by studios with a whole lot of builders, that doesn’t imply its method is any much less engaging or pleasing.
It’s additionally value remembering that when Recreation Science began improvement on the title again in 2018, it solely had seven workers. When it was introduced in 2020, this had grown to about 30. Present stories put its studio at round 100 or so builders. Whereas that’s not small by any means, it’s spectacular to see it delivering on such an epic premise with such constancy regardless of not possessing the identical sources as some larger builders.
When Black Fable: Wukong lastly ships, I would like it to have the identical vibe as motion motion pictures like Ong Bak 2 or The Raid 2. That feeling of epic battles in opposition to distinctive foes who’re seemingly on the identical stage because the protagonist earlier than getting battered into oblivion (and hopefully with a happier ending than Ong Bak 2). It received’t present battle after battle with little time to relaxation as a result of Journey to the West goes for a special vibe.
Nonetheless, that promise of embarking on this fantastical path and taking down all types of legendary foes is just too exhausting to withstand. Whether or not the boss rush label is considered as a degree of competition or not value spending cash on for no matter, the sport’s core id feels distinctive. If it delivers a enjoyable expertise on the finish of the day, I feel it’s value embracing, even when it doesn’t conform to conventional genres like “Souls-like” and whatnot.
Observe: The views expressed on this article are these of the creator and don’t essentially characterize the views of, and shouldn’t be attributed to, GamingBolt as a corporation.
