The debut of "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" marks a significant step forward in the development of Chinese mythology-based games!

A year has slipped by since "Black Myth: Wukong," and while everyone was holding out hope for new developments and watching for Game Science’s big reveal at Gamescom’s Opening Night on August 20—especially those who were excited about the DLC—recent news dashed those hopes when it was announced that the DLC would be delayed or might not come out soon (though the Journey to the West story isn’t finished yet). However, there’s also exciting news that has energized the entire Chinese gaming community: the brand-new game "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" has been unveiled, with its official website now live and a teaser trailer released! After watching the trailer, everyone can’t help but marvel: this is truly Game Science at work—the pinnacle of Chinese single-player gaming!

Game Science set an incredibly high standard with "Black Myth: Wukong," excelling in every detail, story, and visual, making it extremely difficult for other titles to match. Reportedly, even Indian developers tried to compete by creating their own AAA game, "Unleash the Avatar," but the result was underwhelming—abstract and unfocused, fitting their own style but lacking substance. This shows that everyone aspires to follow the best; imitation is a form of admiration and learning from excellence. At the same time, "Black Myth: Wukong" has opened the door for Chinese mythology single-player games, allowing more people to experience our stories and play our games!

Focusing back on "Black Myth: Zhong Kui," even the teaser alone is of immense value, showcasing Game Science’s dedication and ever-advancing technical prowess—you can even see individual raindrops with clarity! The CG depiction of Zhong Kui in the game matches the Tang Dynasty literary description: "leopard head, ringed eyes, iron face with a bristly beard, dressed in red with black boots, and always carrying a sword and umbrella." Two little demons carry the main sword, the Seven Star Sword, ahead of him, while Zhong Kui himself rides a tiger and holds a folding fan, reminiscent of the famous painting "Zhong Kui Riding a Tiger." According to his legend, Zhong Kui was born and lived in Zhongnan, skilled in both civil and martial arts, with a striking appearance and unwavering sense of justice. Every frame conveys his imposing presence and the righteous "aura of authority" he embodies!

In the game, the chosen one may not necessarily be Zhong Kui—it could just be the little demons—but the bosses along the way are certainly ghosts and monsters. After all, do ghosts truly exist? Demons are born from the heart, which ties into the game’s overall storyline, expected to begin in Zhongnanshan, Xi’an, Shaanxi. While the teaser shows Zhong Kui in red robes and black boots with his sword, the umbrella is absent, suggesting the game might build a comprehensive weapon system around him! In mythology, Zhong Kui’s eight magical items include the Marriage Register for sealing demons, a wine jug for warding off evil, a gourd as a symbol of good fortune, the Seven Star Sword for slaying ghosts, a fan to dispel evil, a soul-collecting umbrella to restore order, a wine jar to appease spirits, and a jade ruyi for purification. This hints at a highly developed weapon system tied to each story arc!

From characters to plot, just thinking about this main storyline suggests incredible depth, atmosphere, and character development—"Black Myth: Zhong Kui" truly offers an imaginative world. I also believe this marks a turning point for Chinese mythology games, as our mythological stories provide endless possibilities: Investiture of the Gods, Journey to the West, Classic of Mountains and Seas, Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, and more! With this step forward, there’s so much to look forward to. In the end, let’s eagerly anticipate Game Science’s masterpiece, "Black Myth: Zhong Kui"!