Black Myth: Zhong Kui Announced at Gamescom 2025 — Not a Wukong Sequel

Black Myth: Zhong Kui trailer (via YouTube)

Game Science officially revealed Black Myth: Zhong Kui during Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025, closing the show with a cinematic trailer that left fans still buzzing.

The reveal sparked immediate speculation about whether this new entry is a direct sequel to last year’s breakout hit Black Myth: Wukong, but the studio has now clarified its direction.

The trailer introduced Zhong Kui, a legendary figure from Chinese folklore known as a ghost hunter, riding into battle on the back of a massive tiger. While the visuals captivated audiences, the announcement raised one big question: is this a continuation of Wukong’s story? The answer is no. Game Science has confirmed that Black Myth: Zhong Kui is a completely separate title and not a sequel to Black Myth: Wukong.

On the official website, the studio shared a Q&A explaining its reasoning. The developers stated that their goal was to “take a tentative first step” toward building new experiences, testing bolder features, and exploring fresh narrative ideas. They emphasized that although the game is not a direct continuation of Wukong, it still draws from the same foundation of ancient Chinese myths and folklore. Much like its predecessor, it will remain a single-player ARPG and follow a familiar business model.

That said, Game Science left the door open for Wukong’s future. The team reassured players that “the westward journey won’t end here,” hinting at possible DLC or a sequel down the line. While no concrete plans were revealed, the statement suggests Wukong’s story isn’t finished just yet.

For now, Black Myth: Zhong Kui is in very early stages of development, with no release date in sight. The only confirmed details are that it will launch on PC and all “mainstream console platforms,” which could mean a simultaneous PlayStation and Xbox release — unlike Wukong, which launched first on PC and PlayStation before arriving on Xbox this year.

The choice of Zhong Kui as the next protagonist taps into a rich piece of Chinese mythology. Historical records describe him as a deity sworn to banish evil spirits, with tales dating back to the Tang Dynasty. His story became so iconic that images of Zhong Kui were traditionally placed on doors during New Year celebrations to ward off harmful spirits. That background makes him a fitting lead for a myth-driven ARPG.

Interestingly, this may not be the last mythological figure Game Science adapts. According to reports by @SpawnYaardReply, the studio has also trademarked several more potential titles in the Black Myth series, including Black Myth: Jiang Ziya, Black Myth: Xiao Qian, Black Myth: Da Huang, Black Myth: Shan Hai, and Black Myth: Sou Shen. This suggests the developer may be building a long-term franchise inspired by Chinese legends.

For fans of Black Myth: Wukong, this means two things. First, Zhong Kui will bring a fresh new perspective, setting, and story to the franchise. Second, Wukong’s saga is far from over — whether it returns through DLC or a full sequel remains to be seen. Either way, Game Science appears committed to expanding its universe of mythological ARPGs.

With Black Myth: Wukong earning critical acclaim and commercial success in 2024, expectations for Zhong Kui are already sky-high. As a reminder, Wukong has sold 25 million copies to date on PC and PlayStation.