The Ghost Hunter’s New Arsenal: ‘Black Myth: Zhong Kui’ May Be More ‘Pokémon’ Than Soulslike

The surprise reveal of Black Myth: Zhong Kui at Gamescom 2025 sent shockwaves through the gaming community, cementing the “Black Myth” series as a new, ambitious franchise. While the first game, Black Myth: Wukong, was celebrated for its breathtaking visuals and its fluid, “Soulslike” combat, a closer look at the lore and the hero of the new game suggests a bold new direction for the series. Zhong Kui, the titular hero, is a legendary Chinese demon queller who is not just a warrior, but a judge of the underworld who commands an army of demons. This unique aspect of his legend, combined with new details about the gameplay of the previous title, has led to a fascinating new theory: the next “Black Myth” game may not just be a Soulslike, but an action-RPG with a deep, “Pokémon-like” monster-collecting system. This is a game that is not just building on a legacy; it’s redefining the genre and creating a new, unique experience that is unlike anything we have seen before.

The Precedent: ‘Black Myth: Wukong’s’ Transformation System

The core of this theory lies in the gameplay of the first game, Black Myth: Wukong. While the game was praised for its challenging combat, a key feature that set it apart was the protagonist’s ability to transform into the powerful monsters he defeated. The game’s “transformation” system allowed the player to shapeshift into various creatures, each with its own unique moveset and health pool. One example of this is the “Red Tides transformation,” which allows the player to take the form of a wolfman with a flaming glaive. These transformations were a core part of the game’s combat and exploration, as they provided new ways to fight enemies and to traverse the world. The game also featured a “spirit and vessels” system, which allowed the player to equip the spirits of defeated “yaoguai” chiefs. These spirits could be used to unleash unique attacks and provided passive bonuses. This is a crucial detail, as it shows that the developers were already experimenting with a form of monster collecting in the first game. It is a system that is not just for show but is a core part of the game’s progression and combat. The seeds for a monster-collecting system were already planted in the first game, and the hero of the new game, Zhong Kui, is the perfect figure to bring it to fruition.

Zhong Kui: The Ultimate Monster Collector

In Chinese mythology, Zhong Kui is a legendary figure who is a judge of the underworld and a powerful demon queller. He is a character who is not just known for his sword-fighting prowess, but for his ability to command an army of 80,000 demons to fight evil spirits and ghosts. The reveal trailer for Black Myth: Zhong Kui showed a character who is imposing and stern, a stark contrast to the chaotic and playful nature of the Monkey King. While the trailer showed no gameplay, it did show a character who rides a massive, majestic tiger, a clear symbol of his authority and power. The lore of Zhong Kui, combined with the transformation system of the previous game, suggests a fascinating and compelling new gameplay loop. Instead of just transforming into the demons you defeat, you will be able to collect them, command them, and use them in battle. This is a powerful new direction that will allow the developers to create a game that is not just a combat-focused RPG but is also a game about a character’s journey to collect and command an army of demons. The game’s narrative will be a compelling blend of a hero’s journey and a high-stakes, political struggle for control of the underworld. It is a game that is not just a spiritual successor to Wukong, but is a bold new step into a new genre.

A New Direction for the Series

While the developers have been very clear that the game is still in its early developmental stages, they have also stated that they are committed to creating a game that has “distinctive experiences and gameplay features.” The idea of a game that is a blend of a Soulslike and a monster-collecting RPG is a unique one, and it is a brilliant way for the developers to differentiate the new game from its predecessor. It is a new direction that will not only please fans of the previous game but will also attract a new audience of players who are looking for a game with a unique and compelling gameplay loop. The game’s focus on a new protagonist and a new story is a clear signal that the “Black Myth” series is not just a one-note franchise but is a sprawling universe of Chinese legends to be explored. The idea of a game where you can collect, command, and fight with an army of demons is a tantalizing one, and it is a clear sign that the developers at Game Science are not just content to repeat their past success. The game is still a long way off, but the promise of a new, epic adventure with a new hero and a new gameplay system is more than enough to keep fans excited. The ghosts of the underworld are waiting, and the new judge is about to arrive.