One year later, Black Myth: Zhong Kui already looks incredible

A year ago, Black Myth: Zhong Kui barely existed in public. When Game Science revealed the second entry in the Black Myth series at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025, the studio said the project was still in early development and there was no in-game footage ready to show. Fast-forward exactly one year, and things look very different.

Game Science released a full 15-minute gameplay video, giving players their first real look at combat and parts of the story. The footage was captured from a work-in-progress build running in a 21:9 aspect ratio, and the developer has stressed that the game is still in early development and that the final release may change.

From an empty folder to a real game

That makes the new footage especially impressive. Black Myth: Zhong Kui is no longer just a cinematic teaser and a cool idea built around Chinese mythology. The new video shows a functioning action RPG with detailed environments, large enemies, cinematic encounters and fast combat.

Game Science has confirmed that Zhong Kui is the second title in the Black Myth series and that it remains a single-player action RPG inspired by the famous Chinese folk figure Zhong Kui. Instead of simply repeating Black Myth: Wukong, the studio is clearly using the new game to push its technology, animation and presentation further.

A big visual leap from Wukong

Black Myth: Wukong was already one of the most impressive-looking action games of its generation, but Zhong Kui looks like another major step forward. The new footage is packed with dense environments, dramatic lighting, highly detailed character models and elaborate creature designs.

The combat presentation also feels sharper and heavier. The footage shows sword-based fighting, defensive counters, finishing attacks and battles against supernatural enemies. Game Science art director and co-founder Yang Qi has also discussed several areas the team wants to improve over Wukong, including more believable combat interactions, richer character movement, better lighting in overcast environments and fewer invisible walls.

Those are not small goals. They directly address some of the most talked-about weaknesses of Wukong while building on what the studio already did extremely well.

Game Science is taking its time

Despite the impressive showcase, Black Myth: Zhong Kui still has no confirmed release date. Game Science continues to describe the project as being in early development, so this 15-minute video should be viewed as a look at where the game is heading rather than a finished product.

Still, the progress is hard not to get excited about. In just one year, Zhong Kui has gone from a project with no gameplay ready to show to something that already looks enormous, confident and visually stunning.

If this game is already on your wishlist, make sure to use our price comparison tool to find the best prices for Black Myth: Zhong Kui when deals and pre-orders become available.