Essential Tips for Beginners in Black Myth: Wukong

Embarking on your adventure in Black Myth: Wukong? This action RPG soulslike offers a mix of familiar mechanics and unique twists. Here’s a beginner’s guide based on our first 15 hours with the game, filled with tips to help you thrive as the Destined One on your journey to the West.

Understand the Game's Structure

Unlike typical RPGs, Black Myth: Wukong follows a more linear progression. You’ll navigate from shrine checkpoint to shrine checkpoint, battling various yaoguai (demons) along the way. Your focus will shift from grinding to facing a multitude of bosses throughout your quest.

Unlocking Equipment and Spells

As you advance through the game, you’ll discover that you don’t exactly unlock armor and weapons in the traditional sense. Instead, reaching specific shrines automatically grants you crafting recipes for new gear. Likewise, spells are awarded after defeating key bosses, adding to your arsenal without the usual unlocking grind.

Explore Every Path

While the game’s narrative is linear, the routes between shrines often feature branching paths that are worthwhile to explore. Hidden treasures, optional bosses, and valuable upgrade materials await those who take the time to investigate side routes. These encounters not only yield XP but can also provide rare ingredients crucial for crafting later on.

Crafting Medicines Unlocks Later

At the start of your journey, you’ll collect various ingredients like plants and mushrooms, but don’t be misled by their descriptions suggesting they can be used to craft medicines. You won’t gain this ability until reaching Chapter 2, so hold onto your materials until then.

Know When to Retreat

You’ll encounter daunting foes early in the game, like the Wandering Wight. Facing this enemy for the first time is likely beyond your current capabilities. The key to progressing is not always to fight but to strategically run past such challenges. This approach allows you to gain strength and skills, enabling you to return later when you’re better equipped to take them on.

Navigating Fast Travel

Fast travel is available from any shrine to another previously visited shrine. However, there’s no map, which can lead to some initial confusion. You’ll see a list of shrine names and regions, which, while descriptive, requires a bit of memory to navigate effectively.

Gear Matters

As you proceed in Black Myth: Wukong, defeating bosses will unlock new equipment to craft at shrines. The game features one primary weapon — a staff — making weapon management straightforward. However, clothing offers unique effects, enhancing your gameplay with bonuses like increased damage or speed. Keep an eye on the numbers displayed next to some gear, as they indicate how many pieces of that set are needed to activate their special effects.

Seek Out Hidden Secrets

Despite its linear design, the game hides secrets that can lead to rewards, such as Vessels, which offer helpful perks. For tips on uncovering these early-game secrets, check out our guides on hidden bell locations, assisting the Yellow-Robed Squire, and finding Buddha’s Eyes.

By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be well-prepared to navigate the challenges and wonders of Black Myth: Wukong. Good luck on your adventure!