Black Myth: Zhong Kui vs The Expanse: Osiris Reborn

• Perspective: Third-Person
• Multiplayer: Single-Player Only
• Setting: Mythological Tang Dynasty China
• Platforms: PC and all other mainstream console platforms
• Release Window: TBA (Estimated 2028 or later)
• Unique Feature: A new entry in the 'Black Myth' saga based on the Chinese mythological figure Zhong Kui, the 'demon queller', promising a unique blend of historical setting and ghost-style horror combat.

• Active Squad Size: 3 (Player + 2 Companions)
• Development Engine: Unreal Engine 5
• Origin Choices: 3 (Earther, Martian, Belter)
• Platform Exclusive: Current-Gen Only (PS5, XSX, PC)
• Space Combat: None (Cinematic Cutscenes Only)

• Tiger: The teaser trailer shows Zhong Kui riding a tiger, suggesting that he may have an animal companion for traversal and possibly combat.
  Mythical Animal
• Captured Demons (Speculative): As a 'ghost-catching god,' it's possible that Zhong Kui could temporarily command the demons he has captured to fight alongside him.
  Demonic

• Captured Souls: Defeated ghosts and demons. These could serve as a currency for upgrading abilities or as lore entries in a bestiary.
• Calligraphy Scrolls: Hidden scrolls showcasing Zhong Kui's mastery of calligraphy. These could provide lore, unlock new skills, or offer buffs.

• Chinese Mythology
• Dark Fantasy
• Soulslike
• Action RPG
• Folklore
• Supernatural
• Horror

• The Underworld Sword: Magical Sword
  Zhong Kui's signature weapon, bestowed upon him by Yama, King of Hell. It is forged in the fires of the underworld and is capable of vanquishing powerful demons.
• Martial Arts: Unarmed
  Zhong Kui is a master of martial arts, suggesting that unarmed combat and various hand-to-hand techniques will be a viable part of his moveset.

• Scholar's Robe: The iconic attire of Zhong Kui, representing his past life as a scholar. Players will likely be able to find and equip different sets of armor inspired by the Tang Dynasty and mythological designs, providing various defensive stats and bonuses.

• Historical & Mythological Attire: Players can be expected to unlock and equip various outfits for Zhong Kui, from his traditional scholar's robes to more ornate, divine armor befitting his role as a demon queller.

As a Soulslike ARPG, players can expect a deep progression system. Zhong Kui's abilities will revolve around his mastery of martial arts and his new demonic powers. Upgrades will likely be tied to his magical sword, forged in the underworld, and his ability to see and capture different types of ghosts and demons.

The system is classless and fluid. Players invest in attributes like Science, Persuasion, and Tactical Combat. Skill checks are non-RNG; success is guaranteed if your point value meets the threshold. Combat upgrades involve weapon-specific proficiency and gadgets like tactical drones or high-fidelity visors. The 'Exploit System' allows players to upgrade companion-specific synergies, enabling massive environmental combo attacks based on the squad's composition.

The game will take place across both the mortal realm, specifically Tang Dynasty China, and the underworld (Hell). The structure of the world has not yet been detailed but is expected to feature a mix of historical locations and mythological realms.

The game utilizes a semi-open world 'Hub and Spoke' model. Major hubs include the Belter slums of Ceres, the militaristic citadels of Mars, and the luxury districts of Luna. Each hub contains multiple detailed mission sub-zones. Environmental diversity ranges from claustrophobic, dark asteroid tunnels to the vibrant agricultural domes of Ganymede. The 'Gemini' serves as the primary mobile hub connecting these distant solar system regions.

• Zhong Kui: Playable Protagonist
  A brilliant scholar with a fierce appearance who, after a tragic end, becomes a powerful deity tasked with hunting ghosts and demons.
• Yama: Key NPC / The King of Hell
  The judge of the underworld who recognizes Zhong Kui's righteous soul and grants him his new powers and purpose.

• The Journey of Zhong Kui
  A cinematic campaign that will retell the classic folk story of Zhong Kui, from his life as a brilliant but scorned scholar in the Tang Dynasty to his transformation into a powerful guardian of the mortal and spirit realms.

Standard Pack ($49.99): Base game + Early Adopter item. Deluxe Pack ($59.99): Name in credits + Miller’s OPA Armor. Miller’s Pack ($79.99): All Deluxe content + Miller’s Revolver + 2026 Beta Access. Collector's Edition ($289.00): Includes all digital items plus a physical 8-inch Gemini spaceship model, faction patches, and a hardcover artbook.

Owlcat has confirmed significant post-launch support including story expansions ('The Gate' DLC) and additional companions. Cosmetic skin packs for the Gemini and crew are also planned. There are no plans for microtransactions or battle passes.

• Q: What is Black Myth: Zhong Kui?
  A: It is the next single-player action RPG from Game Science, the developers of Black Myth: Wukong. It is a new story in the 'Black Myth' saga, focusing on the Chinese mythological figure Zhong Kui, the demon queller.
• Q: Is this a sequel to Black Myth: Wukong?
  A: No, it is a completely separate game with a new protagonist and story. However, it exists within the same universe of Chinese mythology. The developers have suggested that a Wukong sequel or DLC could still happen in the future.
• Q: When will it be released?
  A: There is no official release date or window. The game was just announced at Gamescom 2025 and is in very early development. It is not expected for at least three to four years.
• Q: What kind of gameplay can we expect?
  A: It will be a Soulslike action RPG, similar to Black Myth: Wukong, but is expected to feature 'horror or ghost-style combat' and new mechanics centered around Zhong Kui's role as a vanquisher of evil spirits.

• Q: Can I pilot the Gemini manually?
  A: No. Owlcat focused on narrative depth, so space travel and combat are handled through cinematic cutscenes.
• Q: Does my origin choice matter?
  A: Yes. Being an Earther, Martian, or Belter changes dialogue options, faction reputation, and access to certain side quests.
• Q: Is the game coming to PS4 or Xbox One?
  A: No, it is a current-gen exclusive built on Unreal Engine 5.
• Q: How do I access the Closed Beta?
  A: Access is guaranteed by pre-ordering the Miller’s Pack or Collector’s Edition. It begins April 22, 2026.
• Q: Who is J?
  A: J is your identical twin sibling, whose appearance and gender match your customized protagonist.

Features a realistic vacuum-audio mode where sound is muffled and vibrations travel through the suit/boots. The score is a blend of orchestral and electronic synth, matching the gritty tone of the show. Original series actors reprise their roles, including voice work for key canonical cameos.

A diegetic 'augmented reality' HUD that projects ammo and health data through the protagonist's suit visor. In Zero-G, the UI includes a vector-alignment tool to help players maintain orientation. Menus are inspired by 24th-century tech terminals seen in the television series.

• ENTIRELY SPECULATIVE SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS. As the game is in very early development, these are hypothetical projections for a future next-generation title built on Unreal Engine 5. They do not represent official information.
• Laptop Performance Note: A future title like this would demand a high-performance gaming laptop. Actual performance would vary significantly based on the final game's optimization and the laptop's specific hardware configuration.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Maximum TGP for the laptop's GPU would be essential to handle the advanced graphical features of Unreal Engine 5, such as Lumen and Nanite.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: Next-gen games will require laptops with cutting-edge cooling solutions to prevent thermal throttling and sustain performance during intense, visually-demanding boss fights.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: A powerful multi-core mobile CPU will be critical for handling the complex AI of demonic entities and the physics of a detailed world.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus would be a critical feature for reducing latency and ensuring the best possible performance and responsiveness in the skill-based combat.
• Game Name: Black Myth: Zhong Kui

• Official final specs are TBA. These are high-confidence estimates based on Unreal Engine 5 performance on current-gen console equivalents. SSD is mandatory for high-speed asset streaming.
• Laptop Performance Note: Unreal Engine 5's Lumen and Nanite features require high TGP laptops. Expect significant thermal load during Zero-G combat sequences.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Minimum 95W TGP recommended for stable 1080p/60fps.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: The game pushes CPU clock speeds for physics; use a cooling pad.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: Set Windows Power Plan to 'High Performance' to avoid stuttering in dense hubs like Ceres.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: Bypassing Optimus provides a 12% boost in frame consistency during environmental destruction.
• Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: Native support for DLSS 3.5 (Ray Reconstruction), FSR 3.1, and XeSS.
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: Global Illumination (Lumen) and Physics Destruction scale heavily with GPU/CPU.
• Game Name: The Expanse: Osiris Reborn

• G P U T G P: Maximum TGP for the laptop's GPU would be essential to handle the advanced graphical features of Unreal Engine 5, such as Lumen and Nanite.
• Cooling Thermals: Next-gen games will require laptops with cutting-edge cooling solutions to prevent thermal throttling and sustain performance during intense, visually-demanding boss fights.
• C P U Power Limits: A powerful multi-core mobile CPU will be critical for handling the complex AI of demonic entities and the physics of a detailed world.
• M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus would be a critical feature for reducing latency and ensuring the best possible performance and responsiveness in the skill-based combat.

• G P U T G P: Minimum 95W TGP recommended for stable 1080p/60fps.
• Cooling Thermals: The game pushes CPU clock speeds for physics; use a cooling pad.
• C P U Power Limits: Set Windows Power Plan to 'High Performance' to avoid stuttering in dense hubs like Ceres.
• M U X Switch Optimus: Bypassing Optimus provides a 12% boost in frame consistency during environmental destruction.