Game Science just surprised fans with the first official gameplay trailer for Black Myth: Zhong Kui. The Chinese developer just dropped a 15-minute video showcasing their highly anticipated action RPG. Consequently, players finally have a clear look at the second title in the Black Myth series. The game will eventually launch on PC and current-gen consoles. However, the studio has not announced an exact release date yet.
A New Hero & Deep Chinese Folklore
The new game moves away from Sun Wukong. Instead, it draws inspiration from another figure in ancient Chinese folklore. Zhong Kui is an imposing, ghost-catching Taoist deity. Legend says he commands 80,000 demons. Interestingly, the developer confirmed this game does not explicitly tie into 2024’s Black Myth: Wukong. Yet, they teased that Sun Wukong’s story is not over.
Furthermore, the trailer introduces an unnamed protagonist. He is a swordsman wearing a white tunic. Initially, he travels alongside an old man. They build a raft and sail into the sea. Suddenly, the old man dissolves into several sheets of paper. The protagonist then actively follows these mysterious papers.
Black Myth: Zhong Kui Combat Mechanics & Future Updates
The gameplay segment heavily highlights intense action sequences. The protagonist cuts down enemies with his sword. Also, he drinks from a flask to heal his battle damage. The video reveals essential mechanics like dodging and a unique summoning system. Specifically, the swordsman can conjure an entity to fight alongside him. Later in the video, he merges with this summoned entity. Together, they fight back against a massive giant boss. Finally, the footage ends with cutscene previews. Fans get a brief glimpse of Zhong Kui himself as he overlooks a distant town.
Game Science shared this footage exactly a year after initially teasing the game at Gamescom 2025. Currently, it remains unclear if the studio will attend the 2026 edition of Gamescom later this August. Regardless, the August 20 release date perfectly aligns with the developer’s annual tradition of dropping new game information.
Technically, the developers shot the trailer in a 21:9 aspect ratio using an early build. Therefore, the final visuals may look different. Moreover, Game Science firmly stated they did not use generative AI during the initial design and asset development phases. Interestingly, studio co-founder Yang Qi revealed a surprising inspiration for the team. He stated the developers felt heavily inspired after watching Christopher Nolan’s latest movie, The Odyssey.
