Beyond Souls: How FromSoftware Reshaped Action Games, and Why Black Myth: Wukong Isn't One

It's a familiar trend – a new action game emerges, generating excitement and sparking comparisons to Soulslike titles. This year, both Stellar Blade and Armored Core 6 faced this label, and now, Black Myth: Wukong has fallen prey to the same assumption. Online forums and discussions buzz with questions about its Soulslike nature, swiftly followed by clarification: Black Myth: Wukong is not a Soulslike.

This article aims to dispel the misconception once and for all. While Black Myth: Wukong undoubtedly draws inspiration from the likes of Dark Souls, God of War, and Bayonetta, it stands firmly apart as a distinct character action game.

Defining the Soulslike

The term "Soulslike" is often loosely applied, encompassing games with elements like risk-reward systems, challenging boss encounters, melee-focused combat, and limited healing. Hidetaka Miyazaki, the mastermind behind Dark Souls and Elden Ring, himself offered a definition for IGN, describing Soulslikes as "dark fantasy third-person action games with a higher focus on melee combat and a sense of accomplishment."

However, a true Soulslike experience transcends these individual components. It revolves around intricate boss battles, a levelling system heavily reliant on defeating enemies (hence their respawning at checkpoints), and a focus on exploration. FromSoftware games are known for their complex, interconnected map layouts, akin to a vast, labyrinthine puzzle.

Black Myth: Wukong: A Distinct Journey

Black Myth: Wukong, while exhibiting some Soulslike elements like challenging bosses, dodge-roll combat, stamina mechanics, and finite health items, ultimately leans towards the boss rush genre, reminiscent of No More Heroes. The level design deviates significantly from the intricate, interweaving maps of FromSoftware's worlds. Black Myth: Wukong presents a largely linear experience, guiding players from one boss encounter to the next in a straightforward manner.

This design choice is rooted in the game's source material: "Journey to the West", a classic Chinese novel where the titular character Sun Wukong faces 81 trials on his quest for enlightenment. As IGN China Editor-in-Chief Charles Young aptly points out, this narrative device closely mirrors the structure of progressing through 81 video game levels.

While initial impressions during preview events hinted at a Soulslike feel due to its checkpoint system, stamina bar, and dodge-centric combat, a closer examination of the full game reveals a unique, self-contained experience. Black Myth: Wukong refuses to be confined to the Soulslike mould, forging its own path.

FromSoftware's Enduring Legacy

Undeniably, FromSoftware has left an indelible mark on the action genre. Mechanics like limited-use health items, stamina bars, and enemy respawn systems have become commonplace, appearing in numerous games beyond the Soulslike subgenre. This includes Black Myth: Wukong itself, as well as Stellar Blade and even FromSoftware's own Sekiro, which, despite its similar design, is not a Soulslike.

The limited-use health item and stamina bar, once integral components of the Dark Souls experience, have transcended their genre origins. Games like Stellar Blade, with a combat system akin to Black Myth: Wukong and similar checkpoint systems, have entirely dispensed with the stamina bar. Conversely, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, featuring a stamina bar and surprisingly formidable bosses, wouldn't be mistaken for a Soulslike title.

Beyond Souls: A New Era of Action

The once unique characteristics of Soulslike games have now become integral parts of the action genre. We now live in a "post-Souls" reality where action games, while incorporating elements borrowed from FromSoftware's influence, may not necessarily fall under the Soulslike umbrella.

This distinction is crucial because many action game enthusiasts don't resonate with the Soulslike style. It's a shame to miss out on games like Black Myth: Wukong or Sekiro simply because of miscategorisation.

Instead, we should embrace the evolution of the action genre, recognizing FromSoftware's significant impact while appreciating games like Black Myth: Wukong for their unique mechanics and creative elements that go beyond the Soulslike template.

Ultimately, Black Myth: Wukong stands as a testament to the transformative influence of FromSoftware on the action genre, a world where challenging boss battles don't automatically equate to a Soulslike experience. It's time to appreciate the diverse range of action games, acknowledging their individual merits and celebrating the unique contributions of titles like Black Myth: Wukong.