Black Myth: Wukong has soared to the pinnacle of Steam's charts worldwide, achieving this feat even before its official release. This action RPG's journey to the top is a testament to its growing popularity and the excitement it has generated both in the West and in its home country, China.
Wukong’s Rise to the Top
As the release date approaches, Black Myth: Wukong has reached a fever pitch, propelling the game to the top of Steam’s best-seller charts. The game has consistently ranked among the platform’s top 100 for nine weeks, with a notable position at 17 just the previous week. However, a recent surge in popularity has seen it eclipse even the most established titles like Counter-Strike 2 and PUBG.
Twitter(X) user @Okami13_ noted that the game "also regularly stayed in the top 5 on Chinese Steam for the past two months." This underscores the game's significant impact in China, where local media has hailed it as the epitome of Chinese AAA game development. This accolade is particularly meaningful in a nation that is rapidly ascending as a gaming powerhouse, with successful titles like Genshin Impact and Wuthering Waves under its belt.
The game was first unveiled in a 13-minute pre-alpha gameplay trailer in 2020. Even four years ago, the game garnered a staggering 2 million YouTube views and 10 million on the Chinese platform Bilibili in just 24 hours, according to the South China Morning Post. This unprecedented attention thrust Game Science into the global spotlight, even attracting an overzealous fan who broke into the studio on a Saturday morning to express their admiration, according to IGN China.
For a studio primarily known for mobile games, the overwhelming response to Black Myth: Wukong is a monumental achievement for Game Science, especially considering the game is yet to be released.
The hype surrounding Black Myth: Wukong has been relentless. From the moment it was unveiled, players were captivated by its visuals and Souls-like combat, punctuated by epic encounters with colossal creatures. With the game’s release on August 20th for PC and PlayStation 5 just around the corner, anticipation is at a fever pitch. Only time will tell if Black Myth: Wukong can truly deliver on its immense promise.
