In a complete surprise, developer Game Science unveiled the official sequel to the action role-playing game hit Black Myth: Wukong at gamescom Opening Night Live.
The hype surrounding Black Myth: Wukong, arguably the biggest surprise hit of 2024, has barely died down, and Chinese developer Game Science is already following up.
At the end of the opening show of gamescom 2025, a CGI trailer announced a completely new game in the Black Myth universe: Black Myth: Zhong Kui.
This confirms that the journey into the world of Chinese mythology will continue, albeit with a new, darker protagonist.
From monkey king to ghost hunter
While you fought your way through the myths surrounding the Monkey King Sun Wukong in Wukong, the sequel changes the main character. The focus is now on Zhong Kui, a fascinating and awe-inspiring figure from Chinese folklore. Traditionally revered as a relentless slayer of ghosts and demons, he is a god who walks between hell and the world of the living.
According to the developers, Black Myth: Zhong Kui is once again a single-player action role-playing game. The trailer shown at Opening Night Live was a render trailer that did not contain any gameplay footage. However, it already conveyed a dense, dark atmosphere and showed Zhong Kui’s characteristic design: a man with a distinctive beard, piercing eyes, and an angry expression who takes on supernatural beings.
The announcement comes as a surprise, as many fans were expecting an expansion or DLC for the successful Wukong. However, Geoff Keighley, host of the show, emphasized that the story of Wukong is not over and hinted that more content is in the works.
What can you expect from Black Myth: Zhong Kui?
As the project is still in the very early stages of development according to Game Science, concrete details about gameplay are scarce. However, we can assume that the formula that made Wukong a global success will be retained: challenging Soulslike combat, impressive boss enemies, and a game world deeply rooted in Chinese culture.
The choice of Zhong Kui as the main character also promises a completely different atmosphere: His legends are often more tragic and darker than those of the cunning Monkey King. In many stories, Zhong Kui is a learned man who is denied a high position at the imperial court because of his fearsome appearance.
Out of shame and anger, he takes his own life, only to be named “King of Ghosts” in the underworld, with the task of protecting the realm of mortals from demons. This background offers enormous potential for a gripping and emotional story.
A release date or specific platforms for Black Myth: Zhong Kui have not yet been announced. Given the early stage of development, players will have to wait quite a while before they can go hunting as legendary demon hunters themselves. However, the announcement alone is likely to fuel immense anticipation in the community.