Black Myth: Wukong vs The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered

• Perspective: Third-Person
• Multiplayer: Single-player Only
• Setting: Ancient China, Journey to the West Mythology
• Platforms: PlayStation 5, Windows (PC - Steam, Epic Games Store), Xbox Series X/S (TBA), GeForce Now
• Initial Release (PS5, PC): 2024-08-20
• Unique Feature: Based on 'Journey to the West', stunning UE5 visuals, deep combat with staff stances, spells, and transformations, challenging Soulslike boss battles.

• Perspective: First-Person, Third-Person
• Setting: Cyrodiil, Tamriel
• Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Game Pass
• Included DLC: All original add-ons, including Shivering Isles
• Unique Feature: Hybrid engine approach, combining an Unreal Engine 5 visual layer with the original Gamebryo core for authentic gameplay.

• None (Primarily Solo): The game focuses on the Destined One's solo journey. While you might interact with NPCs or summon temporary allies through spells (like 'A Pluck of Many'), there are no persistent, controllable companions in the traditional RPG sense.

• Quest-Specific Followers: The game retains the original's approach to companions, where followers are temporary and tied to specific quests (e.g., Knights of the Nine). A permanent companion system was not added.
  Various (Human, Orc, etc.)

• Meditation Spots: Specific locations in the game world where the Destined One can meditate to gain skill points, used for unlocking or upgrading abilities in the skill trees.
• Curios: Equippable accessory items found throughout the world or as rewards. They provide passive buffs, resistances, or unique gameplay effects. Example: Wind Chimes (Deluxe Edition).
• Gourd Upgrades / Ingredients: Items related to customizing and enhancing the healing gourd, allowing players to choose different types of concoctions for health recovery or other temporary buffs. Ingredients for crafting these are likely found via exploration and defeating enemies.
• Celestial Medicines / Attribute Enhancers: Rare consumables or items that permanently increase the Destined One's core attributes like health, mana (for spells), or stamina (Focus Points for staff techniques).
• Relics: Key story items or powerful artifacts collected after major boss fights or chapter completions, potentially granting significant passive bonuses or unlocking new progression paths. The main quest involves collecting relics tied to Sun Wukong.
• Lore Items / Story Fragments: Objects, scrolls, or environmental details that provide deeper insights into the game's narrative, the mythology of the world, and the backstories of characters and enemies.

• Daedric Artifacts: Earned by completing quests for the 15 Daedric Princes. Each artifact is a unique and powerful item with special enchantments.
• Ayleid Statues: Hidden statues found within the many Ayleid ruins scattered across Cyrodiil. Collecting them all results in a significant reward.
• Skill Books: Books found throughout the world that grant a free level-up to a specific skill when read for the first time.

• Chinese Mythology
• Journey to the West
• Martial Arts
• Transformation
• Buddhism
• Taoism
• Moral Ambiguity
• Nature & Mysticism
• Fate vs. Free Will
• Illusion vs. Reality
• Folklore

• High Fantasy
• Hero's Journey
• Demonic Invasion
• Open World Exploration
• Political Intrigue
• Good vs. Evil

• The Staff (As-You-Will Cudgel / Ruyi Jingu Bang inspired): Primary Melee (Versatile Staff)
  The main weapon of the Destined One, a magical staff that can extend, shrink, and is used in conjunction with various combat stances (Smash, Pillar, Thrust). Its mastery is central to combat, allowing for a wide range of attacks, parries, and special moves.
• Bronzecloud Staff: Weapon (Staff Variant)
  An exclusive staff weapon included in the Digital Deluxe Edition. Likely offers a unique appearance and potentially different starting stats or properties.
• Transformed Abilities (as weapons): Situational Melee/Ranged/Special
  When transformed into various creatures or powerful beings, the Destined One gains access to their unique attacks and abilities, which serve as temporary 'weapons' or combat styles (e.g., a large demon's claws, a fire-breathing creature's breath).

• Blade: Swords, Daggers, Katanas
  One-handed and two-handed bladed weapons. Remastered with high-quality models and textures.
• Blunt: Maces, Warhammers, Axes
  Heavy-hitting weapons that are effective against skeletons and heavily armored foes.
• Bow: Bows and Arrows
  Ranged physical combat. Features modernized archery mechanics for a better feel.
• Magic Staffs: Destruction, Conjuration, etc.
  Staves that allow non-magic users to cast powerful spells without using their own Magicka.

• Folk Opera Armor Set: A cosmetic armor set included in the Digital Deluxe Edition, consisting of the Folk Opera Mask, Folk Opera Almsgiving Armor, Folk Opera Leather Bracers, and Folk Opera Buskins. Provides a distinct visual style.
• Various Equipment Pieces: Players can equip different pieces of gear that likely influence stats such as defense, resistances, or provide passive bonuses. The game features distinct slots for equipment like masks, armor, bracers, and buskins.

• Light Armor: Includes Leather, Elven, Glass, and other sets. Offers less protection but allows for faster movement and less stamina drain.
• Heavy Armor: Includes Iron, Steel, Dwarven, Orcish, Ebony, and Daedric sets. Offers maximum protection at the cost of movement speed and weight.
• Shields: Used for blocking. Can be either Light or Heavy Armor. Features enhanced blocking and staggering mechanics.

• Folk Opera Outfit: A full cosmetic outfit included in the Digital Deluxe Edition, comprising a Mask, Almsgiving Armor, Leather Bracers, and Buskins. Offers a unique traditional opera-inspired aesthetic.
• Default Attire (The Destined One): The primary appearance of the player character. It's likely that other armor pieces or outfits can be found or crafted in the game, affecting both appearance and stats, though extensive cosmetic customization beyond distinct sets isn't confirmed as a major feature.

• Common Clothing: Various sets of non-protective clothing like robes, shirts, pants, and shoes, used for aesthetic purposes or for characters who do not wear armor.
• Enchanted Robes & Jewelry: Clothing and accessories (rings, amulets) that provide magical enchantments, such as Fortify Magicka or Resist Magic. Features high-resolution models for these items.

The remaster features a reworked progression system. While the 21 classic skills return, the controversial level-scaling of the original has been redesigned to be more akin to Skyrim's system, where the world has a mix of static-level and level-scaled enemies. This provides a more balanced difficulty curve. The core mechanic of improving your seven chosen Major Skills to level up remains.

Black Myth: Wukong is not an open-world game but features large, distinct levels divided into chapters, each with its own environmental theme (e.g., forests, deserts, snowy mountains). While levels offer branching paths and exploration, the overall progression is more linear, comparable in structure to games like Sekiro. The game does not provide a traditional player map, encouraging environmental observation. Fast travel is available via 'Keeper's Shrines' (checkpoints).

The game world is a remastered version of Cyrodiil from the original game, a 16 square mile (41 km²) map. It features diverse regions, including the Great Forest, the swamps of Blackwood, the snowy Jerall Mountains, the Gold Coast, and the Nibenay Valley, all surrounding the massive Imperial City at its center.

• The Destined One: Protagonist / Monkey Warrior
  The main playable character, a skilled monkey warrior on a quest to uncover the truth behind the legend of Sun Wukong and the events of 'Journey to the West'. Wields a magical staff and can master various spells and transformations.
• Sun Wukong (The Monkey King / Great Sage Equal to Heaven): Central Lore Figure / Legendary Hero
  The iconic protagonist of 'Journey to the West'. In Black Myth: Wukong, his legend is central to the plot, and the Destined One's journey is deeply intertwined with Wukong's past and fate.
• Erlang Shen (Yang Jian): Antagonist / Major Boss / Celestial General
  A powerful deity from Chinese mythology, known for his third eye and formidable combat prowess. Appears as a major antagonist and challenging boss fight in the game.
• Bull Demon King (Niu Mowang): Antagonist / Major Boss / Demon Lord
  A powerful demon lord from 'Journey to the West', an old acquaintance turned adversary of Sun Wukong. Features as a significant boss with his own domain and storyline.
• Red Boy (Hong Hai'er): Antagonist / Major Boss / Fire-wielding Demon
  The son of the Bull Demon King and Princess Iron Fan, known for his mastery of Samadhi Fire. Appears as a challenging boss with a storyline connected to his parents.
• Various Yaoguai (Demons & Monsters): Enemies / Bosses
  A diverse bestiary of demons, monsters, and spirits (Yaoguai) drawn from Chinese folklore and 'Journey to the West', each with unique designs, abilities, and backstories. They serve as common enemies and challenging boss encounters.
• Zhu Bajie (Pigsy - Mentioned/Implied): Supporting Character (from lore)
  One of Sun Wukong's companions in 'Journey to the West'. While his direct prominent role in the game's plot for the 'Destined One' is less clear than Wukong's, he is a key figure from the source material.

• The Hero of Kvatch: Playable Protagonist
  The player's custom character. A prisoner who becomes embroiled in the Oblivion Crisis and is eventually named the champion of Cyrodiil.
• Martin Septim: Primary NPC
  The last surviving heir to the Septim throne, initially living as a priest in the city of Kvatch. Voiced by Sean Bean in the original.
• Mehrunes Dagon: Primary Antagonist
  The Daedric Prince of Destruction, Change, and Ambition. His goal is to merge his realm of Oblivion with Tamriel, destroying the mortal world.
• Sheogorath: Key Character (Shivering Isles)
  The charismatic and dangerously unpredictable Daedric Prince of Madness, who rules over the Shivering Isles and tasks the player with stopping the Greymarch.

• The Destined One's Journey (Main Campaign)
  A chapter-based main storyline where the player, as the Destined One, ventures through various mythical locations to uncover the truth behind Sun Wukong's legend and collect powerful relics. This involves navigating challenging environments, solving light puzzles, and defeating numerous enemies and powerful bosses inspired by 'Journey to the West'.
• Yaoguai Hunts / Boss Battles
  Confronting and defeating a wide array of Yaoguai (demons/monsters), including over 70-80 distinct boss encounters. Each boss typically has multiple phases and unique attack patterns, requiring strategic use of stances, spells, and transformations. Defeating them often yields new abilities (Spirit Skills) or key items.
• Exploration and Secret Finding
  Traversing large, detailed levels to discover hidden paths, optional boss fights, collectibles (like Meditation Spots, Curios, Gourds), lore entries, and upgrade materials. The game encourages thorough exploration of its distinct environments.
• Mastering Abilities and Transformations
  Acquiring and upgrading a variety of spells, staff stances, and transformation abilities. Certain encounters or environmental challenges may require specific abilities or transformations to overcome, encouraging experimentation and mastery of the available toolkit.

• Main Quest
  Find Martin Septim, protect him, recover the Amulet of Kings, and stop Mehrunes Dagon's invasion by closing the gates to Oblivion.
• Guild Questlines
  Rise through the ranks of the various guilds: The Fighters Guild, The Mages Guild, The Thieves Guild, and the Dark Brotherhood. Each has its own extensive and unique story.
• Daedric Shrine Quests
  Locate the hidden shrines to the 15 Daedric Princes and complete their often bizarre and morally ambiguous tasks to earn powerful Daedric Artifacts.

Available editions include: Digital Standard Edition ($59.99 USD), Digital Deluxe Edition ($69.99 USD - includes base game, Bronzecloud Staff weapon, Folk Opera Mask, Folk Opera Almsgiving Armor, Folk Opera Leather Bracers, Folk Opera Buskins, Wind Chimes curio, and selected digital soundtrack). Physical Deluxe Edition (PC, $169 USD) and Collector's Edition (PC, $399 USD - includes a 40cm Wukong figurine) have also been available, though primarily for PC and potentially with regional limitations. Pre-order bonus was the Trailblazer's Scarlet Gourd.

The game is available in a Standard Edition and a Digital Deluxe Edition. The Deluxe Edition includes the base game and all DLC, plus new exclusive quests that reward players with Akatosh and Mehrunes Dagon themed armor and weapon sets, a digital artbook, and the official soundtrack.

The base remaster includes all original DLC. The major expansions are Knights of the Nine and Shivering Isles. It also includes the smaller add-ons: Fighter's Stronghold, Spell Tomes, Vile Lair, Mehrune's Razor, The Thieves Den, Wizard's Tower, The Orrery, and the Horse Armor Pack.

• Q: What is Black Myth: Wukong?
  A: Black Myth: Wukong is an action RPG based on the classic Chinese novel 'Journey to the West'. Players control the 'Destined One,' a monkey warrior, and embark on a quest to uncover hidden truths, battling formidable foes using staff combat, spells, and transformations.
• Q: When was Black Myth: Wukong released?
  A: Black Myth: Wukong was released on August 20, 2024, for PlayStation 5 and Windows (PC). The Xbox Series X/S version is planned for a later date.
• Q: What platforms is Black Myth: Wukong available on?
  A: Currently, it's available on PlayStation 5 and PC (via Steam and Epic Games Store). An Xbox Series X/S version is expected later. It's also playable via GeForce Now.
• Q: What is the gameplay like in Black Myth: Wukong?
  A: It's a challenging Soulslike action RPG with a focus on third-person melee combat using a staff. Gameplay involves mastering different stances, utilizing a variety of spells, and transforming into powerful creatures or defeated enemies. It requires precise timing for attacks, dodges, and parries ('Rock Solid' spell).
• Q: Is Black Myth: Wukong an open-world game?
  A: No, it is not a fully open-world game. It features large, distinct levels organized into chapters. While these levels offer exploration and branching paths, the overall structure is more linear. There is no traditional in-game map provided to the player.
• Q: Is Black Myth: Wukong single-player or multiplayer?
  A: Black Myth: Wukong is a single-player only experience for the base game. There are no official multiplayer modes.
• Q: What is the story based on?
  A: The story is deeply rooted in the 16th-century Chinese novel 'Journey to the West,' one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. It draws heavily from its characters, mythology, and themes.

• Q: When was The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered released?
  A: It was released on April 22, 2025.
• Q: What platforms is the remaster on?
  A: It is available on PC (Steam), Xbox Series X|S (including Game Pass), and PlayStation 5.
• Q: Is this a full remake or a remaster?
  A: It is a comprehensive remaster. It uses the original game's foundation and code (Gamebryo engine) but features a complete visual overhaul using Unreal Engine 5, along with significant gameplay and quality-of-life updates.
• Q: Does the remaster include the DLC?
  A: Yes, it is a complete package that includes all original DLC, most notably the 'Knights of the Nine' and 'Shivering Isles' expansions.

Developed using Unreal Engine 5, Black Myth: Wukong is acclaimed for its stunning visual fidelity, highly detailed character models (especially fur rendering), breathtaking environments inspired by Chinese landscapes and art, realistic particle effects, and advanced lighting. It supports modern graphical technologies like NVIDIA DLSS and ray tracing (though ray tracing might be more optimized in post-launch patches).

The game features a rich soundtrack that blends traditional Chinese instrumentation with epic orchestral scores to create an atmospheric and immersive audio experience complementing the mythology and intense combat. Voice acting is available in Chinese (Mandarin) and English.

Features a clean and immersive UI typical of Soulslike action RPGs, focusing on combat information such as health, stamina (Focus), mana, equipped spells/abilities, and enemy status. Contextual prompts appear for interactions and special moves. No persistent mini-map is provided.

Specific accessibility options include customizable controls and support for various upscaling technologies (DLSS, FSR, XeSS) which can help players with performance. Further details on comprehensive accessibility features (e.g., advanced subtitle options, colorblind modes, gameplay modifiers) would require in-game review.

• Official PC system requirements for 'Black Myth: Wukong'. Performance can vary depending on specific hardware, driver versions, and in-game settings. An SSD is strongly recommended for optimal performance. DLSS/FSR/XeSS are supported and recommended for higher settings or resolutions.
• Laptop Performance Note: Black Myth: Wukong is a graphically demanding title. Achieving a smooth and visually appealing experience on a laptop requires a powerful, modern gaming laptop. Laptop GPUs, even those sharing a model name with desktop counterparts (e.g., 'RTX 4070'), typically operate at lower power levels (TGP - Total Graphics Power) and are subject to chassis thermal constraints, resulting in different performance. The details below provide estimated laptop component tiers, but **actual performance can vary significantly based on the specific laptop model's TGP, cooling solution, CPU, RAM, and even software configuration (e.g., performance modes, drivers).** It is crucial to research reviews of specific laptop models if you are targeting optimal performance in this game.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P Impact: The Total Graphics Power (TGP) allocated to a laptop GPU is a primary determinant of its performance. For example, an RTX 3060 Laptop GPU can range from 60W to 115W+, with higher wattages delivering substantially more power. Always aim for laptops specifying higher TGP values for their GPUs if Black Myth: Wukong is a priority. Check manufacturer specifications and reviews.
• Laptop Consideration: Advanced Cooling Thermals: Sustained high performance generates significant heat. Laptops with advanced cooling systems (e.g., vapor chambers, multiple heat pipes, high-airflow fans, liquid metal anointment) are better equipped to prevent thermal throttling, which can severely reduce framerates during long gaming sessions. Ensure good airflow around the laptop and consider a cooling pad.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Performance Sustain: While the GPU is often the main bottleneck, a capable CPU (e.g., Intel Core H/HX series, AMD Ryzen HS/HX series from recent generations) that can maintain its boost clocks without significant power or thermal throttling is essential to feed the GPU frames efficiently, especially in a game with complex AI and potentially CPU-intensive physics or world streaming.
• Laptop Consideration: R A M Configuration Speed: Beyond capacity (16GB minimum, 32GB recommended for higher settings), ensure the RAM is running in a dual-channel configuration. RAM speed (e.g., DDR4-3200MHz vs DDR5-4800MHz+ or higher) can also provide noticeable performance benefits in CPU-bound scenarios or for overall system responsiveness and reduced stuttering.
• Laptop Consideration: Display Panel G P U Pairing: Consider the laptop's display resolution (1080p, 1440p, 4K) and refresh rate (e.g., 120Hz, 144Hz, 165Hz+). A high-refresh-rate panel is desirable for smoother motion, but the GPU must be powerful enough to drive frames at that rate at your desired settings. A GPU suitable for 1080p might struggle significantly at 1440p native resolution on a laptop without aggressive upscaling.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch N V I D I A Advanced Optimus: Laptops equipped with a MUX switch or supporting NVIDIA Advanced Optimus allow the dedicated GPU to connect directly to the internal display, bypassing the integrated graphics. This can provide a significant performance uplift (typically 5-15%, sometimes more in certain titles) by reducing latency and ensuring the dGPU's full potential is utilized.
• Laptop Consideration: Driver Updates O S Optimization: Always use the latest official GPU drivers from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel for optimal performance, bug fixes, and game-specific profiles. Ensure Windows is updated and configured for gaming performance (e.g., Game Mode enabled, appropriate power plans selected, background applications minimized).
• Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: Supports NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FSR, and Intel XeSS. Utilizing these upscaling technologies is highly recommended across all tiers, especially on laptops, to achieve target framerates while maintaining good visual quality, particularly at resolutions above 1080p or when enabling demanding features like Ray Tracing.
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: Resolution, Texture Quality, Shadow Quality, Effects Quality, Anti-Aliasing, Ray Tracing settings (if applicable), and Foliage/View Distance significantly impact performance. Fine-tuning these settings in conjunction with upscaling is key to a good experience.
• Game Name: Black Myth: Wukong

• OFFICIAL PC SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS from the game's release on Steam (April 2025). These specifications reflect the demands of the Unreal Engine 5 graphical overhaul layered on top of the original game's core logic.
• Laptop Performance Note: Laptop models of the listed desktop GPUs require comparable performance, which is heavily dependent on the laptop's TGP (Total Graphics Power) and cooling solution. A modern gaming laptop that meets or exceeds these specifications is recommended.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Sufficient TGP is essential for laptop GPUs to match the performance of their desktop counterparts and maintain stable framerates.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: Effective cooling is crucial to prevent performance throttling during long gameplay sessions in the detailed open world.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: A strong CPU is needed for handling the complex Radiant AI, physics, and maintaining performance in busy cities or large battles.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: Recommended for bypassing the integrated GPU to reduce latency and maximize performance in first-person combat.
• Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: The game includes support for NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FSR, and Intel XeSS, allowing players to achieve higher framerates at demanding resolutions.
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: Shadow Quality, Texture Quality, God Rays, Foliage Density, and View Distance are the most performance-intensive settings.
• Game Name: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered

• Upscaling Tech: Supports NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FSR, and Intel XeSS. Utilizing these upscaling technologies is highly recommended across all tiers, especially on laptops, to achieve target framerates while maintaining good visual quality, particularly at resolutions above 1080p or when enabling demanding features like Ray Tracing.
• Key Settings Impact: Resolution, Texture Quality, Shadow Quality, Effects Quality, Anti-Aliasing, Ray Tracing settings (if applicable), and Foliage/View Distance significantly impact performance. Fine-tuning these settings in conjunction with upscaling is key to a good experience.

• Upscaling Tech: The game includes support for NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FSR, and Intel XeSS, allowing players to achieve higher framerates at demanding resolutions.
• Key Settings Impact: Shadow Quality, Texture Quality, God Rays, Foliage Density, and View Distance are the most performance-intensive settings.

• G P U T G P Impact: The Total Graphics Power (TGP) allocated to a laptop GPU is a primary determinant of its performance. For example, an RTX 3060 Laptop GPU can range from 60W to 115W+, with higher wattages delivering substantially more power. Always aim for laptops specifying higher TGP values for their GPUs if Black Myth: Wukong is a priority. Check manufacturer specifications and reviews.
• Advanced Cooling Thermals: Sustained high performance generates significant heat. Laptops with advanced cooling systems (e.g., vapor chambers, multiple heat pipes, high-airflow fans, liquid metal anointment) are better equipped to prevent thermal throttling, which can severely reduce framerates during long gaming sessions. Ensure good airflow around the laptop and consider a cooling pad.
• C P U Performance Sustain: While the GPU is often the main bottleneck, a capable CPU (e.g., Intel Core H/HX series, AMD Ryzen HS/HX series from recent generations) that can maintain its boost clocks without significant power or thermal throttling is essential to feed the GPU frames efficiently, especially in a game with complex AI and potentially CPU-intensive physics or world streaming.
• R A M Configuration Speed: Beyond capacity (16GB minimum, 32GB recommended for higher settings), ensure the RAM is running in a dual-channel configuration. RAM speed (e.g., DDR4-3200MHz vs DDR5-4800MHz+ or higher) can also provide noticeable performance benefits in CPU-bound scenarios or for overall system responsiveness and reduced stuttering.
• Display Panel G P U Pairing: Consider the laptop's display resolution (1080p, 1440p, 4K) and refresh rate (e.g., 120Hz, 144Hz, 165Hz+). A high-refresh-rate panel is desirable for smoother motion, but the GPU must be powerful enough to drive frames at that rate at your desired settings. A GPU suitable for 1080p might struggle significantly at 1440p native resolution on a laptop without aggressive upscaling.
• M U X Switch N V I D I A Advanced Optimus: Laptops equipped with a MUX switch or supporting NVIDIA Advanced Optimus allow the dedicated GPU to connect directly to the internal display, bypassing the integrated graphics. This can provide a significant performance uplift (typically 5-15%, sometimes more in certain titles) by reducing latency and ensuring the dGPU's full potential is utilized.
• Driver Updates O S Optimization: Always use the latest official GPU drivers from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel for optimal performance, bug fixes, and game-specific profiles. Ensure Windows is updated and configured for gaming performance (e.g., Game Mode enabled, appropriate power plans selected, background applications minimized).

• G P U T G P: Sufficient TGP is essential for laptop GPUs to match the performance of their desktop counterparts and maintain stable framerates.
• Cooling Thermals: Effective cooling is crucial to prevent performance throttling during long gameplay sessions in the detailed open world.
• C P U Power Limits: A strong CPU is needed for handling the complex Radiant AI, physics, and maintaining performance in busy cities or large battles.
• M U X Switch Optimus: Recommended for bypassing the integrated GPU to reduce latency and maximize performance in first-person combat.