Cover Developed by the Chinese studio Game Science, ‘Black Myth: Wukong’ has taken the global gaming community by storm (Photo: Instagram / @blackmythwukong.official)
Developed by the Chinese studio Game Science, ‘Black Myth: Wukong’ has taken the global gaming community by storm (Photo: Instagram / @blackmythwukong.official)
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‘Black Myth: Wukong’, developed by the Chinese studio Game Science, has taken the gaming community by storm for its spin on the Monkey King legend. We look at other popular video games such as ‘Assassin’s Creed Origins’ and the ‘Prince of Persia’ franchise, which turn to ancient folklore and mythology for their worldbuilding
Developed by the Chinese studio Game Science, Black Myth: Wukong was launched last week and is already making waves in the gaming world. It has garnered more than 2.1 million concurrent players on Steam and sold more than 4.5 million copies on its global debut—all these within the first day of its release.
It’s easy to understand why—the gaming experience is immersive, the visuals are breathtaking and the plot is incredible. The players have to follow a monkey based on the character of Sun Wukong, or the Monkey King, from the 16th-century Chinese novel Journey to the West.
Transforming the classic Chinese story into a modern game contributed to making it viral, but it’s not the first time game developers have turned to ancient tales to make video games. From Indian to Japanese and Greek mythologies, the following video games found their inspiration in the world’s legends and folklore.
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The ‘God of War’ franchise
Mythology: Greek
God of War is a critically acclaimed video game franchise that draws heavily from Greek mythology. The protagonist, Kratos, is a Spartan warrior who becomes the Ghost of Sparta. He seeks revenge against the Greek gods, particularly Zeus, for their cruel treatment of him and his family. The games blend action-packed combat, stunning visuals and a deep exploration of the Greek pantheon, including characters such as Ares, Athena, Poseidon and Hades. The franchise’s latest games have also drawn references from Norse mythology.
Different games of the franchise are available on different consoles.
Okami
Mythology: Shinto
Okami (2006) is a unique video game that blends Japanese Shinto mythology with a stunning visual style inspired by traditional sumi-e ink paintings. The player assumes the role of Amaterasu, Japan’s sun goddess—who takes the form of a white wolf. The game’s narrative draws from a variety of Shinto myths, including the creation of the world, the origins of the sun and the moon, and the tale of the storm god Susanoo.
Play it on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox One, Wii and Windows.
Raji: An Ancient Epic
Mythology: Hindu
Raji: An Ancient Epic (2020) is an action-adventure game set in ancient India, where players follow Raji’s journey to save her brother from evil forces. Drawing from Hindu mythology, the game features gods, demons and mythological creatures, showcasing epic battles and divine powers. Hindu deities such as Durga and Vishnu are woven into the narrative, highlighting the cosmic struggle between good and evil.
Play it on PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Android, Xbox One, GeForce Now, Windows and iOS.
Black Myth: Wukong
Mythology: Chinese
Black Myth: Wukong (2024) is an action role-playing game developed and published by Chinese studio Game Science. The game is inspired by the classical Chinese novel Journey to the West, and follows an anthropomorphic monkey based on the character of Sun Wukong, or the Monkey King, from the novel.
Play it on PlayStation, Xbox, GeForce Now and Windows.
Aurion: Legacy of the Kori-Odan
Mythology: African
Aurion: Legacy of the Kori-Odan (2016) by the Cameroonian developer Kiro’o Games, is an action role-playing game combining African mythology and modern design. Players embody Enzo Kori-Odan, a prince of the fictional land of Zama who seeks to reclaim his throne using the power of the Aurion, an energy passed down through his ancestors. Inspired by African folklore, the game features unique characters, deities and creatures rooted in African traditions.
Play it on PlayStation, Xbox One, Windows and Mac operating systems.
The ‘Prince of Persia’ franchise
Mythology: Arabian/Persian
Prince of Persia is a renowned action-adventure video game series known for its blend of Arabian mythology and storytelling. Centred around a protagonist often referred to as the Prince, the games feature elements inspired by Persian and Arabian folklore, including magical artefacts, mythical creatures, and themes of destiny and time manipulation.
Different games of the franchise are available on different consoles.
Assassin’s Creed Origins
Mythology: Egyptian
Assassin’s Creed Origins (2017), set in ancient Egypt, delves into Egyptian mythology, featuring gods like Anubis and Ra. The protagonist, Bayek, interacts with deities and explores tombs steeped in mythological significance, adding depth to the narrative.
Play it on PlayStation, Xbox, GeForce Now, Windows, Amazon Luna and Google Stadia.
Salomé Grouard was Digital Editor and Front & Female Content Lead at Tatler Hong Kong. Primarily focused on managing Tatler Hong Kong’s digital platform and content, she also covers gender equality, the music scene and sports through interviews with industry leaders, experts and trendsetters.
Interview highlights include renowned conservationist Dr Jane Goodall, Korean actor Park Seo Jun, singer Jorja Smith, Chinese TV host Yue-Sai Kan, YouTuber Kimono Mom, Japanese rapper Awich, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighter Mikey Musumeci.
She has also produced stories on revolutionising sexual wellness in Asia, activism within the surfing community, Asian trans musicians reclaiming their narratives through music and looked at the toxicity of gym culture through the lens of the plus-size community. She also covers music festivals, such as Hong Kong’s Clockenflap and Bali’s Suara.
