Dark Souls never let me stick my tongue out like a giant frog and smack my enemies with it. And it definitely didn’t let me create a squad of clones to beat down an evil rock monster. If Dark Souls is all about trials, Wukong is pure adventure. And honestly, if you’re into this kind of wild, creative gameplay, now’s the perfect time to buy cheap Xbox games that bring that same sense of fun and unpredictability to your collection. It’s basically a Journey to the West where the animals have health bars. Imagine a version of that classic Chinese story where a fox hooks you up with better healing potions. If there’s anything reminiscent of FromSoftware’s games, it’s how Wukong lets its rich world tell its own story. Wukong doesn’t waste time explaining why there’s a forest full of wolf dudes or why a headless guy is serenading you. It kicks off with Sun Wukong laughing at a council of gods, who hit him with a punishment so hard it takes centuries for him to come back as a level 1 monkey. You don’t need to know Journey to the West to get into Wukong, but reading it might clear up some of the mysteries. Even without that, I totally enjoyed the quirky cast of talking animals—they're either hilariously pathetic or way too serious, like I crashed their big moment. I was hooked by surprises like a giant frog jumping out of the grass or a snake dragon grabbing me in its jaws over a frozen lake—each level is a wild mix of bizarre scenes that crash into a seemingly simple quest. Wukong is packed with boss fights, but don’t let that freak you out. The difficulty is all over the place, so you never really know what you’re getting into. You might breeze past a giant rat but then have to fully focus to take down a raging bear. A lot of the bosses are all about the spectacle, not just testing your reflexes.

Abundance of Bosses

Describing the gameplay is a bit tricky since it mixes several genres and subgenres. The devs call Black Myth an action RPG, and for the most part, it fits that label with some classic mechanics. That said, if you’re looking to dive into more games that blend genres or push the boundaries of action RPGs, it’s a great time to buy cheap PS5 games that experiment with innovative gameplay styles and fresh ideas. There’s an XP system and level progression tied to a skill tree that unlocks buffs and new abilities. You’ve got a crafting system for brewing potions and making armor and weapon pieces, plus a shop for buying potions and materials. You’ll also meet allies who can help upgrade specific items that you can’t boost at the prayer shrines alone. On top of that, some previews have labeled Black Myth a boss rush game, and that’s kinda true. There are tons of bosses, almost matching the number of regular enemies you face. You’ll frequently find yourself battling fully named foes, and hidden paths can lead to secret boss fights. However, there are still big sections of the game focused on exploration and encounters with regular enemies, so the boss rush label doesn’t quite capture the whole experience either. One of the coolest things about the game is that you only have one weapon—your holy staff—but you can mix it up with some awesome modifications. You can tweak the staff to unlock different abilities and boost your stats. Plus, there are various attack stances you can switch between with a simple button press for totally different moves. For example, one stance lets you chill on your pole and drop a brutal overhead smash, while another has you spinning your staff to deflect a storm of flaming arrows. One of the sickest abilities is transforming into bosses you’ve defeated. Some transformations are quick and act like special attacks, while others give you a whole new attack set and feel like a temporary second life—just be careful, because you’ll revert back to your original form if your health runs out or the timer expires. Make no mistake, though: the game is still brutally hard. Even the easiest bosses can take you out fast if you mess up, and nailing those dodges requires serious timing since there’s no parry or block. You will die, and you’ll probably die a lot. That said, the other mechanics make Black Myth a bit more forgiving for those who might not be Soulslike pros. The game leans towards flashy action over precise hits, so a bit of button-mashing won’t totally wreck your chances. Stamina management helps you keep it clean, but it’s not the end of the world if you let loose a bit. Plus, with constant XP opportunities, running away from fights isn’t a good move for your progress. Smart play is still crucial if you want to come out mostly unscathed, but going all out can totally work too. It’s a great mix of fast action and solid defense that welcomes both newbies and veterans!

Enhanced Player Agency

When you die, you don’t lose your XP, gear, or currency—you just respawn at a checkpoint and lose any consumables you used. Besides Sparks, you can snag Will, which is the currency for upgrading your gear, spirits, and even your health gourd to stay in the fight longer. You’ve got your staff, but you can upgrade your weapons and gear and equip different accessories for various effects. Overall, Wukong feels way more RPG-focused and freeing than most soulslike games, encouraging you to plan your loadout and grind a bit without the fear of major penalties for mistakes. Black Myth: Wukong taps into the rich tapestry of Chinese mythology to pull you into a world that's both stunning and perilous. While the story sometimes struggles to shine through, it provides enough structure to guide you, even if it leaves out some of the juicy details for you to piece together. The focus is definitely on combat, but with such beautiful visuals and deep lore, you might wish it dove deeper into the narrative. The combat gives you loads of ways to experiment and find what works best for you, while still serving up enough of a challenge to keep you adapting. This balance makes for a game that rewards you with adrenaline-fueled battles without punishing you too harshly for slip-ups. Exploring the world can be a bit tricky, but the rewards you find along the way make the journey worthwhile, leading to a thrilling adventure of discovery.