Black Myth: Wukong wasn’t just a hit. It was a cultural sledgehammer that shattered the idea that only FromSoftware knows how to make a high-fidelity, boss-centric action RPG. Everyone keeps calling it a Soulslike. Is it, though? Honestly, it feels more like a bridge between the punishing rhythmic dance of Sekiro and the cinematic bombast of God of War. If you’ve just finished your journey to the West and you’re staring at your Steam library with a void in your soul, you aren't just looking for "hard games." You’re looking for that specific blend of kinetic movement, mythological weight, and bosses that feel like gods.
Finding games like Black Myth Wukong is actually harder than it looks because the game cheats. It uses the "Boss Rush" structure but wraps it in the gorgeous, linear-but-wide world-building of modern action-adventure titles. You don't want a map that’s just a series of corridors. You want a world that feels lived-in.
The Misconception About Difficulty
People often point toward Elden Ring the moment you mention Wukong. It makes sense on paper. You dodge. You die. You try again. But Elden Ring is a lonely game. It’s quiet. Wukong is loud. It’s vibrant. If what you loved about Game Science’s masterpiece was the constant flow of magic and the fact that your character actually speaks and has a defined personality, the traditional "Souls" formula might actually frustrate you.
Take Lies of P, for instance. This is probably the closest a non-FromSoft studio has ever gotten to perfection in this genre. You play as a mechanical puppet in a city that looks like a nightmare version of Belle Époque France. It’s tight. The parry window is unforgiving—much tighter than Wukong’s dodge-heavy gameplay—but the sense of style is identical. You’re not just some nameless knight; you’re a specific character with a specific burden.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is another one that hits the mark, specifically for the Chinese mythology aspect. Developed by Team Ninja, it trades the Sun Wukong legends for the Three Kingdoms era. It’s fast. Like, really fast. If you thought the Destined One moved quickly, wait until you’re juggling spirit gauges in ancient China. It lacks the graphical "wow" factor that Unreal Engine 5 gave Wukong, but the mechanical DNA is cousins at the very least.
Why Sekiro is the Real Ancestor
If we’re being real, the "Destined One" owes more to Wolf from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice than to any Chosen Undead. Games like Black Myth Wukong thrive on posture and momentum. In Sekiro, you aren't hiding behind a shield. You’re in the enemy’s face.
💡 You might also like: Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time is Still the Series' Most Controversial Gamble
The Sun Wukong fantasy is about being an unstoppable force of nature that uses clever tricks—transformations, hair clones, freezing time. Sekiro offers that same "master of his craft" feeling. You aren't building a character from scratch; you’re mastering a predefined set of tools. When you finally deflect a massive sword with a tiny katana, it provides that same dopamine hit as landing a perfectly timed Wandering Wight headbutt.
- Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice: Best for those who want the peak of rhythmic combat.
- Stellar Blade: This is a weird one, but hear me out. It’s got the flashy, semi-linear levels and massive, grotesque bosses. It feels very "new-gen" in the same way Wukong does.
- Sifu: Don’t let the modern setting fool you. This is a game about mastery and Pak Mei kung fu. It captures the martial arts essence of Wukong better than almost any RPG.
The God of War Comparison
We need to talk about the camera. Black Myth Wukong uses a tight, over-the-shoulder perspective that screams God of War (2018) and Ragnarök. Most Soulslikes pull the camera back to give you "tactical awareness." Wukong keeps it close for the drama.
If you enjoyed the cinematic transitions—the way a boss fight seamlessly moves from a cutscene into gameplay—then the modern God of War duology is your primary destination. Kratos might be grumpier than the monkey, but the combat loop of using "Runic Attacks" (which are basically just your spells in Wukong) on a cooldown is remarkably similar. You aren't managing stamina as much as you’re managing your "cool moves."
What About the "Jank" Factor?
Let’s be honest: Wukong has some rough edges. Invisible walls, some weird balancing in Chapter 3, and a map system that is... well, non-existent. Some players actually like that "AA" feel—the sense that a developer took a huge risk and didn't polish away the soul of the game.
If that’s you, look at Steelrising. It’s an action RPG set during the French Revolution with robots. Is it as polished as Wukong? No way. But it has that same creative spark and weirdness. Or consider The Surge 2. It’s sci-fi, but the limb-targeting system gives you a level of tactical control over your "build" that feels very rewarding, similar to how you spec into different staff stances in Wukong.
📖 Related: Nancy Drew Games for Mac: Why Everyone Thinks They're Broken (and How to Fix It)
Mythology as a Character
One of the biggest draws of Black Myth was the Journey to the West lore. It wasn't just "fantasy"; it was a specific cultural tapestry. For a long time, Western games have dominated this space with Norse or Greek myths.
If the mythology was what hooked you, Okami HD is an older but essential experience. You play as Amaterasu, the sun goddess in the form of a white wolf. It’s more Zelda than Dark Souls, but the reverence for folklore and the art style is breathtaking. On the darker side, Ghost of Tsushima offers a grounded, historical take on the "lone warrior" trope, though it trades magic for cold steel and wind.
Breaking Down the Combat Loops
Wukong is a game of "burst windows." You use your Immobilize spell, you dump your spirit attacks, you transform, and then you back off. This is a very different rhythm than the "hit once, dodge twice" rhythm of Dark Souls 1.
- Nioh 2: This is the "everything and the kitchen sink" version of Wukong. You have stances (Low, Mid, High), you have Yokai transformations, and you have magic. It is significantly more complex. If you felt Wukong was too simple, Nioh 2 will give you enough math and loot to last a lifetime.
- Monster Hunter: Wilds (or World): If your favorite part of Wukong was specifically the spectacle of fighting massive, biologically "correct" monsters, this is the gold standard. The combat is slower and more deliberate, but the "boss rush" feel is identical.
- Mortal Shell: A smaller, moodier indie title. It features a "hardening" mechanic that feels a lot like the Rock Solid spell in Wukong. It’s short, punchy, and atmospheric.
The Unreal Engine 5 Factor
We have to acknowledge that Black Myth Wukong is one of the best-looking games ever made. Part of the joy is just looking at the pine needles and the way snow deforms under your feet. This level of fidelity is rare.
Senua's Saga: Hellblade II is one of the few games that matches (or beats) it in the visuals department. The combat is much simpler—almost cinematic—but if you want that "I can't believe this is real" feeling, that's the one. Lords of the Fallen (the 2023 reboot) also uses Unreal Engine 5 and looks spectacular, though it leans much harder into the "grimdark" aesthetic that Wukong mostly avoids in favor of its lush forests and golden temples.
👉 See also: Magic Thread: What Most People Get Wrong in Fisch
Actionable Next Steps for the Post-Wukong Blues
If you are standing at the crossroads, here is exactly how to choose your next game based on what you liked most about the Monkey King's journey.
If you liked the fast, rhythmic boss fights and transformations:
Go straight to Nioh 2. It’s the only game that matches the sheer variety of combat options and magical abilities. You can turn into a demon, use hundreds of different spirits, and the combat depth is essentially bottomless. Just be prepared for a steep learning curve and a lot of inventory management.
If you liked the cinematic story and the feeling of a grand adventure:
Pick up God of War: Ragnarök. The DNA is almost identical in terms of how the camera moves and how the world is structured. You’ll find the same balance of "hidden chests" and "massive gods trying to kill you."
If you want more Chinese mythology specifically:
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is the obvious choice. It was developed by the veterans at Team Ninja and focuses heavily on the parry mechanic. It’s currently on Game Pass, making it an easy entry point.
If you liked the "challenge" but want a more open world:
Elden Ring is the king for a reason. You won't get the same flashy kung fu, but the sense of discovery and the scale of the bosses will fill that void easily. If a boss is too hard, you can just ride your horse in the other direction and find a cave full of treasure instead.
The reality is that Black Myth: Wukong is a bit of an anomaly. It’s a massive-budget game from a studio that hadn't done this before, based on a 16th-century novel, released at a time when the world was hungry for something that wasn't just another sequel. While no game will perfectly replicate the feeling of being the Monkey King, the "Action RPG" genre is currently in a golden age. You just have to decide if you want to parry, dodge, or transform your way to the next victory.