Summary
Blocking and parrying are staples of many action games, butBlack Myth: Wukongdoesn’t immediately make it clear if those options are on the table. Although thegame bears similarities to soulslikesand others titles likeGod of War, it places a much bigger emphasis on orienting combat around dodging than most of its competitors. Enemies tend to make dramatic telegraphed moves, and dodging at the perfect moment can grant some boosts thanks to various unlockable abilities.
Dodging is definitely an easy way to take care of most ofBlack Myth: Wukong’s challenges, but having an option to directly resist damage seems potentially helpful in some fights. Dodging and jumping quickly expend stamina, and a parry would make it easier to turn the momentum back on enemies who are keeping up the pressure. AlthoughBlack Myth: Wukong’s tutorialization process doesn’t present any options to block or parry in melee combat, the answer’s a little more complicated than a straight no.
Black Myth: Wukong Review: The Soulslike Action Hype Train Is A Little Off-Rails
Despite the exceptional qualities of Black Myth: Wukong, the souls-like RPG has some necessary improvements to make, for a truly immersive experience.
Black Myth: Wukong Has A Limited Parry Ability
One Spell Lets The Destined One Deflect
There’s ultimately no standard block or parry option inBlack Myth: Wukong’s melee combat, butthere is one way to deflect enemy damage that can eventually be unlocked. The spell Rock Solid, which isn’t available at the beginning ofBlack Myth: Wukong’s story, briefly transforms the caster into the form of a rock. If the rock is struck within its momentary window, enemies are Deflected, opening up an opportunity for a counter-attack.
Blocks & Parries Aren’t The Focus Of Black Myth: Wukong
Dodging Is Still The Standard Option
Rock Solid can be incredibly useful, but it isn’t as widely applicable as a standard parry option. As a spell,Rock Solid consumes mana, a limited resource between rests in the game. Equipping the spell takes up the same slot as the earlier option Cloud Step, which is an enhanced dodge ability that can lead to powerful surprise attacks. Rock Solid also has a cooldown time, and some powerful moves are capable of breaking through the spell to still do damage.
Like other spells inBlack Myth: Wukong, Rock Solid can be upgraded to be more powerful and provide more opportunities.
The one option for blocking available from thestart ofBlack Myth: Wukongis theStaff Spin, which whirls the Destined One’s staff around to block incoming projectiles. This can be a useful defensive maneuver, but it doesn’t apply to melee, so dodging should still be the bread and butter of the Destined One until (and largely even after) Rock Solid comes into play.
Is Black Myth: Wukong On Xbox Game Pass?
Black Myth: Wukong feels like the perfect game for Xbox Game Pass thanks to its action-packed gameplay, but will it ever grace the service?
Anyone used to relying on blocking or parrying will ultimately have to recalibrate to the focus on movement inBlack Myth: Wukong, as the options available don’t work as a comprehensive approach to defense. Thanks to how clearly enemies tend to telegraph their moves, however, dodging can still be very powerful, and other spells and attack options make up for the lack of an ability to consistently parry and strike back inBlack Myth: Wukong.
The studio behind Black Myth: Wukong, GameScience, has previously been accused of fostering a toxic environment for its workers. The 2023 allegations include sexualized comments against women, misogyny, fatphobia, and more. More details can be foundhere.
Black Myth: Wukong
Black Myth: Wukong is an action RPG game from the developers at GameScience. Based on the original Chinese novelJourney to the West,players take on the role of Sun Wukong, a legendary monkey warrior who fights against mythical beasts and beings to save his world.
