Black Myth: Wukong – A Deep Dive Into the Yaoguai

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Black Myth: Wukong - A Deep Dive Into the Yaoguai

As a seasoned gamer with a deep appreciation for Eastern mythology and a soft spot for Journey to the West, I must say that Black Myth: Wukong has truly caught my attention. The game seems to have meticulously crafted its Yaoguai Chiefs and Kings, merging traditional folklore with modern gaming innovation.

The following contains spoilers for
Black Myth: Wukong
.

In the tradition of the classic 16th-century Chinese novel “Journey to the West,” the action RPG “Black Myth: Wukong” by Game Science is richly steeped in Eastern mythology. At its core lies the mystical realm of yaoguai, a diverse category of beings famed for their extraordinary powers and frequently peculiar, otherworldly appearances. As players traverse the intricate landscape of “Black Myth: Wukong,” they will come across numerous yaoguais, some acting as allies to the game’s hero, the Destined One, while others serve as adversaries. Yaoguais can be found lurking in every nook and cranny, varying in size, form, and power, all drawing from the fertile ground of Chinese mythology, folklore, and literature for their roots.

As a devotee immersed in the rich tapestry of Eastern mythology, I find myself captivated by the enigmatic figure of Yaoguai – a term that transcends mere definition and is deeply rooted in ancient Chinese religion and folklore. For millennia, these supernatural beings have left an indelible mark on our collective imagination, permeating countless Eastern stories and media. The latest addition to this pantheon is the gripping game Black Myth: Wukong, where Yaoguais play a pivotal role in shaping its narrative and world. As I eagerly await the release of this highly anticipated title, I can’t help but delve deeper into the essence of Yaoguai – how they have been brought to life by Game Science within the context of the Monkey King’s legendary journey.

What the Yaoguai Are and Where They Come From

Black Myth: Wukong - A Deep Dive Into the Yaoguai

The term “yaoguai” can be broken down into two parts: “yao” and “guai.” The word “yao” generally refers to the supernatural, encompassing English terms like “demon,” “monster,” or “witch,” but it’s often used more broadly to describe their extraordinary abilities. Conversely, “guai” means “strange,” which is what makes a yaoguai a monster. Some creatures are just called “guai” because they might not necessarily have supernatural powers.

Yaoguis straddle the boundary between human-like and supernatural beings, often portrayed as antagonists due to our fear of the mysterious. Their appearance and abilities, such as shape-shifting, illusion casting, and the ability to cause disease or poison, are a mix of the natural and unnatural in stories like Black Myth: Wukong. Rarely do they take on protagonist roles, except for characters like Sun Wukong from Journey to the West, who is the basis for the Destined One in Black Myth: Wukong, but interestingly, he too is considered a yaogui, albeit using it as an insult against his adversaries.

Where the Yaoguai Fit Into the World of Black Myth: Wukong

Monkey deities, frequently featured in Eastern mythology narratives over centuries, arguably shine brightest in the classic tale “Journey to the West“. This significance extends into the video game “Black Myth: Wukong“, as it adapts plotlines, characters, and settings from this timeless novel. Players embarking on this reimagined adventure with the Chosen One to uncover his true essence and identity will encounter numerous powerful monkey deities, several of whom function as challenging bosses within “Black Myth: Wukong“.

While not all creatures in the game “Black Myth: Wukong” are directly derived from the classic novel “Journey to the West“, many draw inspiration from the diverse array of Eastern mythology. This rich tapestry serves as a foundation for the game’s narrative, filling gaps left by the 500-year time difference between it and the story. However, nearly every significant boss in the game is one of the creatures that Sun Wukong originally encountered in “Journey to the West“. The way these bosses are portrayed in “Black Myth: Wukong” offers a unique interpretation, unlike any previous representation. In their appearances, behaviors, and abilities, each boss creature in “Black Myth: Wukong” provides players with an authentic glimpse into what the adventures of Sun Wukong in “Journey to the West” might have been like.

On this repeated yet novel adventure with The Chosen One as he uncovers his real destiny and self, players will encounter numerous formidable yaoguais, several of whom serve as the tough bosses in the game Black Myth: Wukong.

In the game Black Myth: Wukong, the initial formidable opponent is the Black Wind King yaoguai, whose design draws heavily from the Black Wind Demon that Monkey King fights in Journey to the West. The fight with the Black Wind King in Black Myth: Wukong consists of two phases: one against his human form and another against his bear form. During the human phase, this tough adversary brandishes a large Black Tassel Spear and can summon powerful winds that momentarily incapacitate players caught within them. He is extraordinarily swift, making the first battle an unexpected challenge for players. These elements echo the same character from Journey to the West, but never before has he been portrayed in this manner.

In the game Black Myth: Wukong, the main yao guais are portrayed as formidable opponents, mirroring their depictions from the novel. This allows players to experience brief, sometimes challenging glimpses of what it might have been like to fight legendary Sun Wukong. Many lesser yao guais in Black Myth: Wukong are inspired by various tales within Eastern mythology, with some directly referencing Sun Wukong’s encounters from Journey to the West. Each yao guai is modeled based on descriptions that have been passed down for thousands of years, and now Game Science has brought these ancient creatures to life in a unique video game setting.

Black Myth: Wukong’s Lesser Yaoguais

In the immersive world of Black Myth: Wukong, I’ve come across these recurring adversaries known as Lesser Yaoguais. Don’t let their name fool you; they’re far from ordinary enemies. Even when encountered in groups, they can pose a significant threat. Out of the 90 Lesser Yaoguais that players like me will encounter, these are the most common:

  • Wolf yaoguais (eight variants)
  • Croaky
  • Crow Diviner
  • Bandit Chief
  • Snake yaoguais (four variants)
  • Plant yaoguais (three variants)
  • Rat yaoguais (five variants)
  • Stone yaoguais (three variants)
  • Bone yaoguais (two variants)
  • Bat yaoguais (three variants)
  • Corpse yaoguais (two variants)
  • Weasel Captain
  • Civet Sergeant
  • Monk yaoguais (four variants)
  • Censor Holder
  • Circus Monkey
  • Yaksha yaoguais (four variants)
  • Starved Abomination
  • Lantern Warden
  • Lantern Holder
  • Falcon Fan-Maker
  • Turtle Treasure
  • Rhino Master yaoguais (two variants)
  • Dark-faced Overlord
  • Clay Vajra
  • Golden Lotus Guai
  • Wushan Lesser Guai
  • Insect yaoguais (eleven variants)
  • Daoist yaoguais (three variants)
  • Revenant yaoguais (five variants)
  • Bull yaoguais (four variants)
  • Searing-Fire
  • Scorching-Fire
  • Flamling
  • Tenner
  • Rakshasa yaoguais (two variants)
  • Soldier yaoguais (three variants)
  • Captain of the Court

Black Myth: Wukong’s Yaoguai Chiefs

In the game “Black MyMyth: Wukong,” many of the Yaoguai Chiefs function as mini-bosses, making them more challenging opponents compared to Lesser Yaoguais. Additionally, there are other Yaoguai that don’t qualify as boss fights, such as the Feng-Tail General. It’s also important to note that not all of the game’s Yaoguai Chiefs originate from the story “Journey to the West,” with some, like the Flint Chief and Commander Beetle, being creations derived from Game Science’s interpretation of Eastern mythology. The majority of the 55 Yaoguai Chiefs in “Black Myth: Wukong” fall into these categories.

  • Bullguard
  • Guangzhi
  • Guangmou
  • Baw-Li-Guhh-Lang
  • Lang-Li-Guhh-Baw
  • The Royal Family of Flowing Sands
  • First Prince of the Flowing Sands
  • Mother of Stones
  • Tiger’s Acolyte
  • Gore-Eye Daoist
  • “Tiger Vanguard”
  • Captain Lotus-Vision
  • Captain Kalpa-Wave
  • Apramana Bat
  • Lang-Li-Guhh-Lang
  • Old Ginseng Guai
  • Non-White
  • Non-Pure
  • Non-Able
  • Non-Void
  • Monk from the Sea
  • Macaque Chief
  • Spider Sisters (six variants)
  • Elder Armourworm
  • Centipede Guai
  • Buddha’s Right Hand
  • Baw-Li-Guhh-Baw
  • Commander Beetle
  • Five Elemental Carts
  • Father of Stones
  • Quick as Fire, Fast as Wind
  • Cloudy Mist, Misty Cloud
  • Flint Chief
  • Son of Stones
  • Poison Chief
  • Water-Wood Beast
  • Lang-Baw-Baw
  • Gold Armored Rhino
  • Cloudtreading Deer
  • Feng-Tail General
  • Emerald-Armed Mantis

Black Myth: Wukong’s Yaoguai Kings

In the game “Black Myth: Wukong”, the Yao Guai Kings serve as the most formidable boss battles, with only a rare few, like the Bull King, showing any semblance of friendliness. Interestingly, nearly every one of these kings is referenced in the classic tale “Journey to the West“. Out of the 26 Yao Guai Kings featured in “Black Myth: Wukong”, the following ones stand out as particularly noteworthy:

  • Lingxuzi
  • Elder Jinchi
  • Black Wind King
  • Black Bear Guai
  • Tiger Vanguard
  • Stone Vanguard
  • Shigandang
  • Fuban
  • Yellow Wind Sage
  • Kang-Jin-Loong
  • Kang-Jin-Star
  • Captain Wise-Voice
  • Yellowbrow
  • Violet Spider
  • Hundred-Eyed Daoist Master
  • Yin-Yang Fish
  • Red Boy
  • Yaksha King

In the game Black Myth: Wukong, there are more than 170 captivating yaoguais for players to uncover, some of which are based on the classic tale Journey to the West, while others draw inspiration from Eastern folklore. Delving into every hidden corner of Black Myth: Wukong could reveal each one of these intriguing yaoguais, offering players a unique glimpse into Game Science’s interpretation of ancient Chinese culture.

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2024-08-22 18:14