Black Myth: Wukong immerses players in a retelling of the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West but with a twist. Set long after the events of the original story, it follows a character known as the Destined One, who is tasked with succeeding the legendary Sun Wukong. The game features a series of intense battles and a narrative that leaves players questioning the cyclical nature of the Monkey King’s fate. Two distinct endings hinge on the player’s actions, particularly whether they choose to face an optional boss fight.
Black Myth Wukong Ending Explained
In Black Myth: Wukong, the player controls the Destined One, a monkey sent on a mission to retrieve the Relics of Sun Wukong. These Relics, scattered across the world, hold a significant meaning. Each of the first five Relics represents one of Wukong’s five senses, while the sixth symbolizes his mind. With these items in hand, the Destined One returns to Mount Huaguo, where the final Relic awaits, setting the stage for the conclusion of their journey.
The Encounter with Sun Wukong’s Legacy
Upon returning to Mount Huaguo, the Destined One receives a revelation from the Old Monkey. The Old Monkey explains that Wukong’s previous incarnations are not mere stories; they form part of an ongoing cycle of reincarnation. Sun Wukong, having rejected Buddhahood, is reborn over and over, and the cycle of the Monkey King’s death and rebirth repeats itself. The Destined One must defeat the shell of the former Wukong, inheriting his soul and continuing the legacy as the new Monkey King. This reveals that there is no single, permanent Wukong, as the position is passed on from one successor to the next.
The Old Monkey’s explanation emphasizes that the cycle is inevitable. The Destined One must rise to the challenge, but not everyone agrees with this destiny. Zhu Baijie, a character who seems skeptical of this never-ending pattern, urges the Destined One to abandon their fate. However, the Old Monkey seals off the battlefield, forcing the Destined One to face the challenge head-on. The battle with Sun Wukong’s physical form, the Stone Monkey, is challenging but ultimately winnable. Once the shell is broken, the Stone Monkey transforms into the Sage Wukong, a mirror image of the Destined One.
The Final Confrontation
The Sage Wukong, now reformed with the senses and powers of the original, attempts to reclaim his lost senses by absorbing the Relics back from the Destined One. Despite his best efforts, Sage Wukong cannot overcome the Destined One. In a dramatic turn of events, Sage Wukong dissolves into a flurry of leaves, symbolizing the death of the old Sun Wukong. The Destined One successfully reclaims the Relics and becomes the new Monkey King, assuming the mantle that has been passed down for generations.
The Normal Ending: A New Cycle Begins
In the normal ending of Black Myth: Wukong, the Destined One successfully assumes the role of the new Sun Wukong. The Old Monkey provides a philosophical reflection on the unreliable nature of legends surrounding Sun Wukong’s past. Was he truly granted Buddhahood? Did the events of Journey to the West even happen as recorded? Regardless, the cycle is set to continue as the Destined One steps into his new role. In a symbolic moment, the Old Monkey places Sun Wukong’s golden headband on the Destined One’s head, signifying the start of a new era.
The ending is left open-ended, with a brief sequence showing Wukong’s birth from a stone egg. The credits roll, but not without a lingering question: has the Destined One absorbed all of Wukong’s soul, or is there more to be discovered?
A Questionable “Good” Ending
The normal ending, however, may not be entirely positive. The golden headband, a symbol of Wukong’s taming and restraint, represents a loss of free will, as it binds Wukong to a set fate. The headband’s role in Journey to the West is to control Wukong’s unruly desires, and its significance in the game parallels a loss of autonomy. While the new Sun Wukong may inherit great power and Buddhahood, this also comes with significant consequences. Thus, while the Destined One’s journey reaches a kind of closure, the philosophical implications are more complex.
The True Ending: Unlocking the Secrets
The true ending of Black Myth: Wukong is unlocked through an additional, secret boss fight. This requires players to continue with their current save file without starting a New Game Plus. In this secret quest, the Destined One must track down Erlang, a Sacred Divinity, and face him in an even tougher battle than before. Once defeated, the Destined One is transported to a snowy, hidden area, where a climactic battle ensues. The Destined One, transformed into a giant stone monkey, must face off against the Four Heavenly Kings in a dramatic showdown.
The Final Duel and Transformation
After the battle, Erlang undergoes a transformation into a colossal, lion-like beast, and the Destined One must duel him in a one-on-one fight. Upon winning this final confrontation, players unlock an additional cinematic. In this scene, the Destined One kneels before the Old Monkey after defeating Sun Wukong’s shell. As the Destined One’s eyes open wide, the game recaps key moments from Journey to the West, but in reverse order. This sequence indicates that the Destined One is not only becoming the new Monkey King but also inheriting Wukong’s memories and experiences. The implications of this transformation suggest that the Destined One’s journey is not simply about assuming a title, but about gaining a deeper understanding of Wukong’s existence.
While the two main endings seem to form the core of Black Myth: Wukong, there are rumors and speculation about additional endings hidden within the game. As players continue to explore, there may be more secrets to uncover. However, for now, these two endings stand as the most prominent, with the “true” ending requiring additional effort and dedication to unlock. The game’s narrative is rich with symbolism, asking players to question the nature of fate, reincarnation, and the cyclical nature of life, leaving room for further exploration and discovery in the future.
