Frequently Asked Questions#
Game Basics#
Frequently asked questions about the game’s basics:
| Question |
Answer |
| How many chapters does Black Myth: Wukong have? |
Six chapters in total. Each chapter has its own map, bosses and storyline. A full playthrough takes roughly 40-60 hours. |
| Does the game have difficulty options? |
No traditional difficulty selection. The game ships with a single default difficulty, but you can effectively lower it through better gear and skill upgrades. |
| Who is the Destined One, and what is his relationship to Sun Wukong? |
The Destined One is the player character, the successor/reincarnation of Sun Wukong. The story follows his search for Sun Wukong’s relics. |
| Does the game support Chinese voice acting? |
Yes. The game includes full Chinese and English voice acting, switchable in the settings. |
| What is the penalty for dying? |
You respawn at the nearest Keeper’s Shrine without losing items or experience. However, boss fight progress resets. |
| Can the game be played online? |
No. Black Myth: Wukong is a purely single-player action RPG with no online features whatsoever. |
| Can I experience everything in one playthrough? |
No. Certain hidden bosses, Spirits and items require NG+ or specific conditions to obtain. |
| How long is the game? |
About 40 hours for the main story only, around 60 hours with side quests and collection, and 80+ hours for full achievements. |
| How many save slots are there? |
The game provides multiple auto-save and manual save slots; you can view and load past saves from the title screen. |
Combat and Skills#
Frequently asked questions about the combat system and skill trees:
| Question |
Answer |
| What is the difference between the three staff stances? |
Smash Stance focuses on high single-target damage, Pillar Stance excels at ranged and area attacks, and Thrust Stance shines with fast combos. Switch flexibly depending on the enemy. |
| Can skill points be reset? |
Yes. You can reset all Sparks for free at any Keeper’s Shrine, which encourages experimenting with different builds. |
| What is a perfect dodge? |
Rolling at the exact moment an enemy attack lands triggers a perfect dodge — time briefly slows down, giving you more counterattack openings. |
| What is stamina and how do I manage it? |
Stamina is your endurance bar; both dodging and attacking consume it. Stamina management is core to combat — never empty it in one go, keep a reserve for emergencies. |
| How do I unlock spells? |
New spells unlock automatically as you progress the main story. Each spell has its own cooldown and effect, so combine them wisely. |
| What does the Transformation skill (72 Transformations) do? |
Transformations temporarily turn you into an enemy or object with unique abilities. They are useful in both exploration and combat. |
| Is Immobilize good? |
Immobilize is the most practical control spell in the game — it interrupts a boss’s charged ultimate and is a must-have core spell for the entire run. |
| How do I shorten spell cooldowns? |
Upgrade the relevant skill tree branches to reduce cooldowns, and equipping cooldown-reducing curios noticeably increases spell uptime. |
Collection#
Questions about the game’s various collectibles:
| Question |
Answer |
| How many Spirits are there? |
The game has over 50 Spirits spread across all chapters. Each Spirit has a unique effect. |
| Where do I find fragrant vines? |
Fragrant vines are scattered in hidden spots across every chapter — usually at the end of side paths, behind waterfalls or inside hidden caves. |
| What achievements are there? |
The game has 20+ achievements, including story completion, full collection and hidden boss kills. The Platinum achievement requires completing all of them. |
| Are there items that become uncollectible? |
Almost never. Most collectibles can be retrieved freely after finishing the story. Only a tiny handful are tied to specific story choices. |
| What is new in NG+? |
NG+ unlocks new hidden bosses, tougher challenges and some unique equipment. Enemies also become stronger. |
| How do I equip Spirits? |
Equip Spirits in the “Spirits” slot at a Keeper’s Shrine; in combat they cost mana to summon to your aid. Some Spirits also grant passive stat bonuses. |
| What can I do at a Keeper’s Shrine? |
The Keeper’s Shrine is your core hub: level up, upgrade equipment, reset skill points, rest to recover, brew medicines and craft accessories. |
| What are the paper effigies on the road for? |
Paper effigies are one of the collectibles; trading a certain number to specific NPCs nets cosmetic items or curio rewards. They are optional collectibles. |
Bosses and Combat Tips#
| Question |
Answer |
| What if I can’t beat a boss? |
First make sure your level and gear are sufficient. If you’re stuck, go back and explore to gather more items and Spirits. If all else fails, adjust your skill build. |
| Do bosses have weaknesses? |
Most bosses have specific weaknesses and attack patterns. Reading their attack wind-ups and recovery windows is the key. |
| Some bosses seem unfightable? |
Some bosses are hidden bosses that only appear under specific conditions — for example, using a specific item at a specific location. |
| Do elite enemies respawn? |
Elites do not respawn once killed, but normal enemies near Keeper’s Shrines reappear after you rest. |
| Do I need to kill every boss? |
Story bosses must be defeated to progress. Side bosses and hidden bosses are optional, but their rewards are generous. |
| Any dodging tips? |
The perfect dodge is the core of combat — timing your roll right opens a slow-motion counterattack window. Keep a little stamina in reserve for emergency dodges during long combos. |
| When is the best time to use Transformations? |
Transformations have their own health bar, so use them to bridge a health crisis or to burst down a boss during its stagger window. |
| My combos keep getting interrupted — what do I do? |
Getting interrupted by a boss is normal. Learn to cancel attack recovery with a roll and adjust your combo length to the boss’s attack rhythm. |
Endings and Story#
Questions about the game’s endings and story:
| Question |
Answer |
| How many endings does the game have? |
Multiple endings, depending on your choices and completion rate. A single playthrough usually reveals only one of them. |
| How do I trigger the true ending? |
The true ending requires collecting specific key items and completing hidden questlines. The conditions involve hidden bosses and collectibles across all chapters. |
| How does the story relate to Journey to the West? |
The game takes Journey to the West as its blueprint and heavily adapts and reinvents it, creating an entirely new timeline and world. |
| Can I keep playing after the credits? |
Yes. After finishing the story you unlock NG+ and free exploration, letting you return to any chapter to keep collecting and challenging. |
| What carries over into NG+? |
NG+ keeps your level, Sparks, equipment and most collectibles, while hidden bosses respawn even stronger. |
| Can the true ending be missed? |
Some true ending conditions are chapter-locked; missing key items means finishing them in NG+. Follow a full-collection route to avoid gaps. |
Technical Issues#
Common technical problems and their solutions:
| Question |
Answer |
| The game crashes to desktop — what do I do? |
First update your GPU drivers to the latest version. If the problem persists, verify game file integrity, lower graphics settings, or run as administrator. |
| My save is gone — what do I do? |
Saves are stored locally and in the cloud (if Steam Cloud is enabled). Check whether Steam Cloud sync is working, or restore from a local backup. |
| Controller vibration isn’t working? |
Make sure the controller firmware is up to date, check controller settings in Steam Big Picture, and confirm the in-game vibration option is on. |
| Audio crackles or stutters? |
Try lowering the sample rate or switching audio output devices, eliminate Bluetooth interference, and update your sound drivers. |
| Blurry image or jagged edges? |
Check that the resolution is set to your native resolution and that anti-aliasing is appropriate. DLSS/FSR can improve both image quality and performance. |
| Frame rate far below expectations? |
Close background programs and make sure nothing else is using the GPU. Check whether ray tracing is enabled, and consider lowering shadow and volumetric fog settings. |
| The game won’t launch — what do I do? |
Verify that you meet the minimum requirements, whitelist the game in your antivirus, and update your system and GPU drivers before trying again. |
| A crash report pops up — what do I do? |
Crash reports generate log files automatically that can pinpoint the cause. Common culprits are insufficient VRAM or outdated drivers; lowering graphics settings usually resolves it. |
| How do I back up my saves? |
Copy the save files from the save folder in the game directory to another location, or enable Steam Cloud for automatic backups. |
Other Questions#
| Question |
Answer |
| Does the game support controllers? |
Yes. Full support for PS5 DualSense, Xbox controllers and most compatible gamepads. The PS5 controller supports adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. |
| DLC or update plans? |
No specific DLC plans have been announced yet, but ongoing content updates and support have been confirmed. |
| Can I skip cutscenes? |
NG+ lets you skip most dialogue and cutscenes. In the first playthrough some cutscenes can be skipped with a button press, but key story moments cannot. |
| Is the game too scary or gory? |
The game contains yaoguai themes and combat scenes, but the overall style leans toward mythology rather than excessive gore. |
Core System Mechanics#
Frequently asked questions about stamina, mana, equipment, medicines and other core systems:
| Question |
Answer |
| What is mana? |
Mana is the resource used to cast spells and is tracked separately from stamina. Without enough mana you cannot cast spells; recover it by resting at a Keeper’s Shrine or using medicines. |
| How do I raise max mana? |
Upgrade the mana branch of the talent tree, or wear equipment and curios that raise max mana. |
| Are medicines useful in combat? |
Extremely. Medicines instantly restore HP, mana and stamina and grant short-term stat buffs — they are key items for high-intensity boss fights. |
| How do I craft medicines? |
At a Keeper’s Shrine brewing menu, spend herbs and materials to make medicines. Recipes unlock gradually through story progress and collection. |
| How many upgrade levels does gear have? |
Most equipment can be upgraded to max level. Upgrading consumes spirit stones and chapter-specific materials, and upgrade levels carry into NG+. |
| What is the difference between curios and accessories? |
Curios are equipment slots with special passive effects, separate from regular armor. Curio slots are limited, so choose them according to your build. |
| How do I upgrade the Gourd? |
The Gourd is upgraded by completing certain side quests and exploring; upgrades increase the number of drinks or the amount restored. |
| Are Spirits and Transformations the same system? |
No. Spirits are summoned to assist you in battle, while Transformations let you become a defeated yaoguai and fight as it yourself. They share mana but work differently. |
| What do spirit stones do? |
Spirit stones are the core material for upgrading equipment, obtained from kills and chests. The amount per playthrough is limited, so prioritize upgrading your main weapon. |
Questions about PC hardware performance and console platforms:
| Question |
Answer |
| Minimum requirements? |
Minimum: i5-8400/R5 2600 + GTX 1060/RX 580 + 16GB RAM + 130GB SSD. Recommended specs are higher. |
| What are the recommended specs? |
Recommended: i7-9700/R5 3600 + RTX 2060/RX 5700 XT + 16GB RAM + 130GB SSD. |
| How much disk space does the game need? |
About 130GB of SSD space for installation. An SSD is strongly recommended — HDDs lead to very long load times. |
| Is ultrawide supported? |
Yes, 21:9 and 32:9 ultrawide ratios are supported, though some cutscenes may have black bars. |
| DLSS or FSR — which one? |
Use DLSS on NVIDIA RTX cards, FSR on AMD or older NVIDIA cards. Quality mode looks best, Performance mode has the highest frame rate. |
| How much RAM do I need? |
16GB minimum, 32GB recommended. Memory usage is high in certain areas; 16GB may stutter when loading new regions. |
| Can I play on Steam Deck? |
Yes. The Steam Deck runs the game at 30 FPS on low settings — playable but with visibly reduced visuals. |
| How does it perform on PS5? |
PS5 offers a Performance mode (60 FPS dynamic resolution) and a Quality mode (30 FPS native 4K). Performance mode is recommended. |
| Is Xbox Series X supported? |
Yes. Performance is similar to the PS5, with both Performance and Quality modes. |
| Is there cross-platform save transfer? |
No. Saves are independent per platform and cannot be transferred. |
Builds and Loadouts#
| Question |
Answer |
| Is there a single strongest build? |
No. Different bosses suit different builds. Adjust according to each boss’s traits. |
| Should I focus on Smash Stance or spread out? |
Focus on Smash Stance early, then develop a second stance in the mid-to-late game. A balanced approach pays off more in the late game. |
| Is armor important? |
Yes. High defense significantly reduces damage taken, and armor with specific elemental resistances is critical in the matching chapters. |
| How should I pair Spirits? |
Pair one offensive Spirit with one support Spirit, and choose Spirits whose resistances match the boss’s element. |
| How should I spend early skill points? |
Early on, max the Smash Stance core skills and Immobilize first, then pick dodge-related survival skills — survivability matters more than damage. |
| Which gear should I upgrade first? |
Upgrade your weapon first for damage, then armor. Elemental weapons have higher upgrade priority than normal ones, since you can swap them for chapter bosses. |
Language and Localization#
Questions about the game’s languages and localization:
| Question |
Answer |
| Which languages are supported? |
Over ten languages, including Simplified/Traditional Chinese, English, Japanese and Korean. |
| Can subtitles display two languages at once? |
The game itself does not support dual-language subtitles, though some versions or mods may offer it. |
| Can voice and subtitle languages be set separately? |
Yes. You can independently choose the voiceover language and subtitle language in the settings. |
Accessibility and Player Experience#
Questions about player experience and accessibility features:
| Question |
Answer |
| Will the game be too hard? |
The game is challenging but not extreme. With upgraded gear and sensible Spirit and skill choices, most players can finish it. |
| Will it cause motion sickness? |
Action games may discomfort some players. Lower the camera sensitivity, disable motion blur and take regular breaks. |
| Can I pause the game? |
In most cases yes. Opening the menu pauses the game, though pausing may be restricted during certain boss fights. |
| Is there aim assist? |
Yes. Aim assist can be enabled in the settings, lowering the difficulty of lock-on and aiming. |
| Is there a photo mode? |
The game includes a built-in photo mode with adjustable camera angles, depth of field and filters to capture your journey. |
Paid Content and DLC#
Questions about paid content and future updates:
| Question |
Answer |
| Does the base game include everything? |
Yes. The base game includes all six chapters, every boss and most collectibles — there are no paywalls. |
| Will there be free updates? |
The development team has confirmed ongoing free content updates, including new bosses, new gear and new mechanics. |
| Is the Deluxe Edition worth it? |
The Deluxe Edition adds cosmetic items and the soundtrack without affecting game balance. Whether to buy it depends on personal preference. |
Quick Reference Links#
Quick navigation to other related pages on this guide site:
| Page |
Link |
| Beginner’s Guide |
View |
| Controls & Settings |
View |
| Full Walkthrough |
View |
| Chapter Overview |
View |
| Challenge Modes |
View |
Related Links