Ethan Crossfield 
Game Science has released the first official gameplay trailer for Black Myth: Zhong Kui, giving players their clearest look yet at the second entry in the Black Myth series. The 15-minute presentation introduces a sword-wielding protagonist, showcases combat and exploration mechanics, and confirms that the action RPG remains in development for PC and current-generation consoles without a release date.
What happened in the first gameplay reveal
The trailer follows an unnamed swordsman dressed in a white tunic as he travels with an elderly companion. Their journey includes constructing a raft and heading out to sea, before the old man unexpectedly breaks apart into sheets of paper that the protagonist pursues.
The footage then shifts toward combat. The protagonist uses his sword against multiple enemies, dodges incoming attacks, and drinks from a flask to recover health. Game Science also demonstrated a summoning ability, allowing the hero to call an entity into battle. In one of the trailer's most striking moments, the protagonist appears to combine with that summoned being while confronting a massive boss.
The presentation concluded with several story-focused scenes and the first glimpse of Zhong Kui himself, shown watching over a distant settlement.
Why Black Myth: Zhong Kui matters
Like Black Myth: Wukong, the new game draws from Chinese folklore. Zhong Kui is traditionally depicted as a powerful Taoist figure associated with hunting ghosts and commanding demons. That mythology gives Game Science a different foundation from the Monkey King story that inspired its 2024 release.
The studio has said that Black Myth: Zhong Kui will not directly connect to its predecessor, although it has also indicated that Sun Wukong's story within the broader Black Myth series is not finished. That leaves room for the games to share a creative identity without requiring the new title to continue Wukong's narrative directly.
The footage was captured from an early build in a 21:9 aspect ratio, and Game Science warned that the final game may differ. Its visuals are therefore best viewed as a development snapshot rather than a final technical showcase.
What to watch next
Black Myth: Zhong Kui was first teased during the 2025 Gamescom Opening Night Live broadcast, making this extended gameplay reveal an important follow-up. However, Game Science did not announce a launch window, and it remains unknown whether the game will appear at Gamescom 2026 later in August.
The studio has also previously said that generative AI would not be used during the game's initial design and asset-development stages. Co-founder Yang Qi cited Christopher Nolan's latest film, The Odyssey, as an inspiration for the team. For now, the most important unanswered questions concern the protagonist's identity, the scope of the summoning system, and how the folklore surrounding Zhong Kui will shape the campaign.
Key details from the trailer
- The 15-minute video is the first official gameplay presentation for Black Myth: Zhong Kui.
- The playable character fights with a sword, dodges attacks, heals with a flask, and summons an ally.
- The trailer includes raft-building, sea travel, environmental exploration, and story scenes.
- The game is planned for PC and current-generation consoles, but no release date has been announced.
Expert View
This reveal gives Black Myth: Zhong Kui a distinct identity instead of presenting it as a simple follow-up to Wukong. The summoning and apparent fusion mechanics could become the game's defining combat hook, while the folklore-inspired setting gives Game Science plenty of room for unusual enemies and locations. Still, the early-build disclaimer and lack of a launch window mean the trailer establishes potential, not yet a firm release expectation.
