China's first AAA game, Black Myth: Wukong, took the global gaming world by storm on Aug 20. Developed by Hangzhou-based Game Science, the game went live at 10 am, quickly climbing to the top of Steam's global sales chart following a successful pre-sale period.

Based on the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, the game immerses players in a visually stunning world powered by Unreal Engine 5, combining cinematic-quality graphics with dynamic effects. The game's unique retelling of traditional Chinese mythology has garnered widespread international acclaim, with game media Siliconera praising it as a "visually breathtaking reimagining of East Asian myths".

Game Science's art director Yang Qi views Wukong as a cultural tribute. To recreate the ancient temples depicted in the original work, the technical team traveled across China to research historical architecture and created the country's first virtual asset library of ancient Chinese buildings, such as the Dazu Rock Carvings in Chongqing and Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou. "When rendering, we didn't even want to wipe away the dust, as we aimed to preserve the authentic beauty of Oriental architecture," Yang said. "We believe China’s digital cultural expression can transcend borders."

The game's attention to detail has resonated globally. Even the smallest in-game objects, like a teapot, are being meticulously studied by players for their cultural significance. The seamless integration of ancient Chinese architecture, artifacts, and texts has provided players with an immersive experience of Chinese culture, sparking international fascination.

Black Myth: Wukong is viewed as a milestone for China's gaming industry, signaling the country's potential to break the dominance of Western game companies in the high-end market.

A poster for China's first AAA game, Black Myth: Wukong. [Photo/Game Science]

The game immerses players in a visually stunning world. [Photo/Game Science]

A screenshot from the game. [Photo/Game Science]