The Destined One Vs The Tarnished – Which Epic Tale Is Better?

The gaming world is abuzz with excitement as Black Myth: Wukong surpasses Elden Ring’s peak player count on Steam, securing the second-highest spot. This impressive feat has sparked inevitable comparisons between the two games.

While both games emerge as the most promising action RPGs, they offer distinct experiences that set them apart. Rather than declaring one game superior to the other, I’ll provide a neutral analysis of their differences and leave it to you to decide which game suits your tastes best. Let’s start!

1. Black Myth: Wukong vs Elden Ring Comparison

Although Black Myth: Wukong and Elden Ring share similarities as action RPGs with souls-like elements, they exhibit distinct differences in various aspects.

Black Myth: Wukong’s vibrant world is inspired by Chinese mythology and art, while Martin and Miyazaki’s creative forces shape Elden Ring’s dark, medieval landscape.

Black Myth: Wukong features swift combat and a linear, narrative-focused world, while Elden Ring emphasizes strategic combat and offers a vast, interconnected, open world to discover.

Both games excel at creating the perfect action RPG gameplay experience, making it difficult to choose only one as the winner.

1. Norse-inspired lore vs Chinese Mythology

• Elden Ring draws heavily from Norse mythology, weaving a dark narrative with gods, giants, and mythical creatures. However, its lore is often shrouded in mystery, requiring diligent effort to uncover and careful analysis of item descriptions and NPC dialogues.
• In contrast, Black Myth: Wukong masterfully integrates Chinese mythology, bringing the legendary Monkey King’s story to life with stunning cinematic visuals. The game’s storytelling is a central focus, with well-developed side characters, making it accessible and engaging for all players.

2. Strategic Combat vs Swift Combat

• Elden Ring’s combat excels in methodical strategy, requiring stamina management, precise timing, and build customization. Players must approach fights cautiously, utilizing mechanics like parrying and dodging to succeed. The game’s emphasis on character builds and weapon variety allows for much customization.
• In contrast, Black Myth: Wukong’s combat is more dynamic and fluid, focusing on stances and weapon transformations. While Wukong’s staff offers multiple forms, the combat style remains consistent throughout the game. Its emphasis on visual cues and timing adds a unique layer of complexity.

3. Open-World Exploration vs Linear Lore Discovery

• Elden Ring offers a non-linear, open-world experience, encouraging players to explore and connect the dots to progress. The game’s design fosters a sense of discovery, with a massive overworld that gradually reveals new areas and items that can change the game’s outcome, making exploration highly satisfying.
• In contrast, Black Myth: Wukong has a more linear story and progression. Its questlines are more straightforward, with clear instructions from NPCs. While exploration is still present, it may not be as rewarding as in Elden Ring.

2. Conclusion – Legend vs Legacy

Elden Ring boasts an expansive open world and challenging, strategy-rich combat, perfect for players who crave exploration and demanding gameplay. In contrast, Black Myth Wukong delivers high-energy action, stunning visuals, and a narrative rooted in Chinese mythology – ideal for fans of fast-paced gameplay and rich storytelling.

So, my ultimate answer is – Why settle for just one incredible action RPG when you can have two?

I believe both games are a must-play for Souls-like enthusiasts. That way, you get to experience the best of both worlds and don’t miss out on either of the masterful games that leave you breathless and wanting more!

3. About Black Myth: Wukong

Black Myth: Wukong is an action role-playing game set in a fantasy version of ancient China. The game is based on the classic Chinese novel “Journey to the West” and follows the story of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King. Players control Wukong as he battles against various enemies and gods from Chinese mythology, using his magical abilities and combat skills. The game features a unique blend of Chinese folklore and dark fantasy elements, with a focus on fast-paced combat and exploration.

Black Myth: Wukong” is developed by Game Science, a Chinese indie studio. The game launches on August 20 for PC (Steam) and later for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. Pre-order now for $59.99 and receive in-game resources as a bonus!

4. About Elden Ring

Elden Ring is a major title released by FromSoftware in 2022, the developers of Demon’s Souls, Bloodborne, and the Dark Souls franchise. Set in the ‘Lands Between’,  players are on a quest to repair the Elden Ring and become the new Elden Lord.

Shadow of the Erdtree is a full-fledged expansion for Elden Ring added in June 2024. It is a whole new map with new Weapons, Sorceries, Ashes, and Craftables. It is a challenging DLC and as players continue to explore the map, they find surprises and easter eggs left by the developers every day.