New Black Myth Series
Are there truly ghosts in this world? All demons arise from the heart.
Monsters below the stage, immortals above—what a duality of faces!
Inside the door, a mess of confusion; outside, who calls for justice?
Sun and moon hang empty in their cycles, who holds the power of life and death?
Neither following human sentiment nor the Way, seeking no fame nor favor.
Draw the sword, yes, draw the sword,
To distinguish between the pure and the turbid!
Black Myth: Zhong Kui, the second installment in the Black Myth series developed by Game Science, debuted at gamescom ONL 2025. A Chinese New Year in-engine special followed on 2026-02-10, and a new 15-minute gameplay demo arrived on 2026-08-20.
This single-player action RPG draws its primary creative inspiration from Zhong Kui of Chinese folklore. The new demo offers the first look at protagonist combat and selected story scenes. The game remains in early development, so the final release may differ.
Game Concept Art
Game Concept Art
Zhong Kui the Demon Queller with Five Bats
16th Century Zhong Kui - Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
The Night Excursion of Zhong Kui by Dai Jin - Palace Museum, Beijing
Zhong Kui painted by the Shunzhi Emperor
There are no official historical records of Zhong Kui. According to legend, Zhong Kui was a top scholar in the Tang Dynasty imperial examinations. When he went to meet the emperor for his appointment, the emperor was repulsed by his fierce appearance with thick eyebrows, large eyes, and extremely ugly features, and expelled him from the golden hall. In his rage, Zhong Kui struck his head against the palace pillars and died. After his death, strange incidents continuously occurred in the court. The emperor dreamed of ghosts trying to capture him, and in his terror, the one who came to his rescue was none other than Zhong Kui. Thus, the emperor posthumously appointed Zhong Kui as the "Evil-Dispelling Judge," entrusting him with the important task of "driving away ghosts and demons, dispelling evil spirits, and purifying demonic energy."
Later, the King of Hell also appointed him as the "Great Marshal for Dispelling Evil and Pacifying Ghosts," bestowed upon him a bronze sword, and commanded him to travel throughout the world to slay demons and eliminate evil. He also assigned two generals of injustice and grievance to assist him in eliminating demons. To this day, although the origins and life of Zhong Kui remain a mystery, through the creation and transmission of paintings, stories, novels, and operas over the ages, his heroic image as a ghost-catcher and evil-eliminator has lived on in the hearts of the common people, deeply integrated with folk beliefs and customs.
Founder of Game Science
For quite a long time after the release of "Black Myth: Wukong," I lived in a daze.
Something I had been thinking about for nearly twenty years finally had a result. And this result far exceeded my initial expectations.
By all rights, I should have been rolling on the floor with joy, humming happily every day.
Unfortunately, human nature isn't wired that way. Intense positive emotions seem to last particularly short periods, and happiness always passes in the blink of an eye.
What truly lingered in my mind during that time was mainly confusion, emptiness, and anxiety (I know this sounds pretentious, please don't shoot). No matter how ashamed I felt for not being able to "be happy," these emotions still came uncontrollably and overwhelmingly—especially when drowning in "Is the DLC being made? Who's making the DLC? When will the DLC be released?"
As a professional adult, I was also good at hiding these negatives, convincing myself to cheer up and honestly start working on the DLC.
Because I knew very clearly that friends asking for DLC were undoubtedly people who loved Black Myth, who liked Game Science, who had carried us all the way up the mountain.
So, for most of the half-year after release, I determined some directions, wrote some settings, held some meetings, and the team seriously started running according to the "DLC first" plan.
This continued until one day this year when Yang Qi left me a message in the morning saying he had "something important to consult about."
I happened to be busy that day and wasn't at the company during the day, so we agreed to talk when I returned in the evening.
When I saw him after returning, the first thing I asked was, "You don't want to make DLC, do you? You want to make something new?"
With relief, joy, and naturally, we hit it off immediately.
Then, we began to gradually convince other colleagues.
And then, there was "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" that you see today.
DLC is certainly not a bad choice, but at this moment, we want to make a new Black Myth work first—
New heroes, new gameplay, new visuals, new technology, new stories.
Let loose, try boldly, break conventions, start from scratch.
Perhaps many people think DLC is stable, DLC is safe, DLC is clear, DLC would be faster.
But many fan-created works I've seen are already more imaginative and unrestrained than our previous DLC ideas 🐶
Like all of you, I deeply love the world of demons, gods, and Buddhas in Journey to the West, so Wukong's legend will return in a more complete and solid way in the future, after proper preparation.
In the book "Ask Iwata," Nintendo's former president said: "There is no future on the extension of what already exists."
With the unknown comes surprise; with challenges comes fun.
Game Science will continue to earnestly deliver each new answer with everyone's love and wishes.
2026-08-20 · Official YouTube Channel
The work-in-progress footage offers the first look at protagonist combat and selected story scenes. It was captured at a 21:9 aspect ratio. The game remains in early development, and the final release may differ.
Because reporting our progress to players every August 20th is our tradition—and this year is no exception.
However, since the project is currently just an empty folder with virtually no game footage to share, we decided to create a CG short film to let everyone know that the new project has been launched, so that everyone can focus on development.
Thanks to the unwavering support of players, the first Black Myth work has landed safely. After completing the journey with the Destined One, we now hope to take a tentative first step—creating more unique gaming experiences, challenging bolder features, and bringing fresh ideas to our worldview and narrative design.
Zhong Kui is a natural choice based on this desire and other factors. We believe that in this new project, we can make refreshing changes, create new things, while seriously examining our past shortcomings and regrets.
For all friends who love Black Myth: Wukong: the journey to the West will not end here.
In terms of name, Black Myth: Zhong Kui, like its predecessor, is based on ancient Chinese mythology and folklore.
In terms of genre, it will still be a standard single-player ARPG, following the same business model as before.
However—this time you won't be playing as a monkey character. That said, we're still exploring and experimenting with the specific differences between Wukong and Zhong Kui. So relax—let us impress ourselves first, then present it to you.
Honestly—even Feng Ji himself has absolutely no idea. Please follow the latest news through our official website (gamesci.cn/zhongkui) and our official accounts on YouTube, X, Facebook and other platforms.
PC + all major gaming console platforms. Final information will be confirmed before release.
It's hard to say right now... it looks like we haven't even finished the outline yet.
On the other hand, the development team is absolutely passionate—eager to tell good new stories and add new fun to the game, while ensuring that Wukong players feel at home—and catch them off guard in the best way (embarrassed smile intensifies).
Player Comments
Top Bilibili Comments
Zhong Kui, the god of exorcism in traditional Chinese culture, is said to be a Tang Dynasty scholar who failed the imperial examination due to his ugly appearance and died by hitting a pillar in anger. Later he was posthumously appointed as the "Blessed House-Protecting Saint," specializing in catching ghosts and subduing demons. His image is often depicted with an iron face and curly beard, leopard head and round eyes, holding a sword and wearing a red robe. He is a symbol of house protection, evil dispelling, and punishing evil while promoting good in folk beliefs, commonly seen in New Year paintings and Dragon Boat Festival customs.
— Call me Little Sorrow
Many people are saying they want monkey DLC, but for the team, putting it aside first and switching mindsets to get the creative excitement going will give them more momentum, and it's not like DLC won't be made.
— Big Linglong House
Black Myth has such a huge impact overseas. If you often browse YouTube gaming sections, you'll know that when discussing games, Black Myth is often used for comparison.
— Silent Flame Peering Light
Zhong Kui actually doesn't have much of a story. What's more important is the entire Chinese mythological underworld system behind him: the Ten Kings of Hell, King Yama, Black and White Impermanence, Ox-Head and Horse-Face, and the Underworld Judges.
— Twilight Twelve Movements
Finally, Zhong Kui is one of the ancient mythological legends that the gaming industry has explored relatively little. No more repeatedly rehashing the Four Great Classical Novels, Nezha, and Xu Xian.
— Dawn Madness 233
You must have all heard his story. Some say he achieved enlightenment and became a judge, others say he hated evil and subdued demons, and still others say the one who went to the underworld wasn't him at all—he was just a bearded man made up by storytellers. But the story I'm telling today, you definitely haven't heard...
— Gotham Batman
YouTube Comments
Zhong Kui is a Taoist deity in Chinese mythology, traditionally regarded as a vanquisher of ghosts and evil beings. He is depicted as a large man with a big black beard, bulging eyes, and a wrathful expression. Zhong Kui is able to command 80,000 demons to do his bidding and is often associated with the five bats of fortune.
— @willyyang4296
Zhong Kui Is The most important Demon Hunter in The Chinese Mythology. This Is a treasure, Thank You Game Science!!! ❤❤❤
— @benjixthevagabond5257
Game Science is like China's Rockstar Games, always bringing us different kinds of surprises.
— @Jasmine-d0911
The great thing about game science is unlike other company who will put out trailers that will look nothing like the final product, the game will actually look like this and even better
— @WM53
真是要把我們的傳統文化發揚光大到全世界的節奏，遊科威武，首發一定支持❤
— @377830815tao
A brand new Game Science game?!? Count me in.
— @Do0mtrain