5 Best Video Games Like Black Myth: Wukong

With new soulslike games flowing into the industry every year, one of the major standouts is "Black Myth: Wukong." Inspired by the classic Chinese story "Journey to the West," the game has mythical hero Sun Wukong come into conflict with the Celestial Court. The player controls the Destined One, who sets out to revive Sun Wukong and restore his senses, battling monstrous guai, or magical figures, along the way. "Black Myth: Wukong" blew everyone away when it launched in 2024 as a breathtaking twist on the soulslike genre with prominent Chinese mythological elements.

As fans wait for the planned sequel "Black Myth: Zhong Kui," there are numerous similar games to keep them occupied in the interim. Placing a strong emphasis on precise combat gameplay and notably pronounced difficulty, we're looking at other games that incorporate prominent fantasy elements. Many of these titles are soulslike experiences, and they all boast third-person action and provide gamers with a healthy level of challenge. These are the five best video games like "Black Myth: Wukong," selected to keep the fantasy hack-and-slash action coming your way.

Japanese folklore and medieval history serve as the backdrop for the 2019 soulslike game "Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice." Set during Japan's tumultuous Sengoku period, the game's protagonist is Sekiro, a shinobi fitted with a prosthetic arm after being betrayed. Sekiro sets out to gain his revenge while learning the truth about his adoptive father Owl and his own bloody history. This involves Sekiro preparing to conduct a magical ritual to eradicate the Dragon's Heritage, a mystical bloodline capable of granting immortality.

While the familiar soulslike sensibilities present in FromSoftware's preceding games are visible here, "Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice" places a noticeable emphasis on combat timing. This adds new dimensions to the gameplay's inherent challenge, but also a clearer sense of accomplishment with each triumphant battle. And whereas many other FromSoftware titles relied on European fantasy imagery, "Sekiro" leans into evocative Japanese mythology to great and distinct effect. While we may never get a sequel to "Sekiro," the 2019 game offers a thrilling and intense take on the soulslike genre.

One other FromSoftware game to highlight on this list is its dark fantasy title "Elden Ring." In contrast to the more linear "Dark Souls" trilogy, the 2022 game is an open-world adventure set in the ethereal Lands Between. The player character, known as the Tarnished, embarks on a quest to restore the shattered Elden Ring long after the demigods holding shards of it have become corrupted. The 2024 DLC expansion "Shadow of the Erdtree" continues the story, with the Tarnished venturing into the Land of Shadow to stop the villainous Miquella from transforming into a god.

"Elden Ring" is arguably the easiest of FromSoftware's dark fantasy titles, but it's not without its own intimidating bosses and other unforgiving enemies. The emphasis on open-world navigation and progression is a welcome one, letting players better appreciate the game's haunting environments and rewarding discoveries. "Shadow of the Erdtree" practically feels like its own standalone sequel to the original game, rather than DLC, providing its own challenging and expansive world to explore. An accessible soulslike game for those curious about the genre, "Elden Ring" is an immersive experience with loads of memorable sights and harrowing battles.

Another soulslike based on Chinese folklore and history, "Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty" takes place in the midst of the Yellow Turban Rebellion in 2nd century China. When the insurgents kidnap a personification of the dragon deity Yinglong, the player character vows to free the mystical entity. Teaming up with figures from the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," players battle a supernatural army for the fate of China. In contrast to other solitary soulslike titles, "Wo Long" offers a cross-play multiplayer option to confront these mythical enemies with a friend.

"Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty" is another accessible soulslike game that incorporates elements of Chinese culture. The boss battles are intense and grandiose and the combat feels intuitively executed, particularly with its spirit attack mechanics. Compared to Team Ninja's other fantasy action RPG, "Nioh," "Wo Long" offers a much more streamlined experience, both with character development and linear progression. Sharing folklore sensibilities with "Black Myth: Wukong" in a much different context and capacity, "Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty" gives the Chinese Han Dynasty the soulslike experience.

Another soulslike game firmly rooted in Chinese medieval history and mythology is the 2025 title "Wuchang: Fallen Feathers." Set during the Ming Dynasty, the protagonist is pirate Bai Wuchang, who finds herself in a region overwhelmed by a strange affliction known as the Feathering. This contagion drives the afflicted insane and transforms them into ravenous monsters terrorizing the countryside. With Bai exhibiting symptoms of the Feathering, she moves to restore herself and purge the kingdom of the rampaging monsters.

What sets "Wuchang: Fallen Feathers" apart from its contemporaries is the madness meter stemming from the game's premise. Bai's madness from the Feathering ebbs and flows depending on how combat unfolds, with levels of madness affecting the techniques she has available. The game features its own twist on imposing bosses drawn from Chinese folklore, while the environments provide a lush backdrop to the action. Bringing several innovative mechanics to the genre, "Wuchang: Fallen Feathers" offers an operatic soulslike experience.

Speaking of "Nioh," Team Ninja's popular franchise released its latest title, "Nioh 3," in early 2026. In addition to the samurai fighting stances from the preceding installments, the game also features a shinobi fighting style favoring faster movement and more acrobatic attacks. The game's story centers on the conflict between the player character, Tokugawa Takechiyo, and his jealous younger brother Tokugawa Kunimatsu. This starts a time-traveling adventure across multiple eras of Japanese history, with several historical and folklore figures appearing throughout the narrative.

The original "Nioh" was one of the best RPGs of 2017 and "Nioh 3" maintains the franchise's esteemed reputation while building upon the foundation. The elevated difficulty remains as delightfully unforgiving as ever while the addition and refinement of new gameplay mechanics makes the sequel feel like a worthy continuation and expansion. The game also features the series' most ambitious story to date, delving into a wide breadth of Japanese medieval history. Admittedly not for the faint of heart, "Nioh" provides an engaging challenge for those who are up for it.