Elden Ring: Upcoming Soulslike Reveals a Whoppingly Huge Number of Enemy Types, Shadow of the Erdtree Will Face Heavy Competition from Black Myth Wukong

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SUMMARY

• Black Myth: Wukong, a highly anticipated Soulslike game, is set to release on August 20, 2024, and may rival Elden Ring’s upcoming expansion.
• The game reportedly boasts a New Game+ mode, multiple endings, and an impressive variety of over 160 unique enemy types at launch.
• Black Myth: Wukong’s release could potentially impact the sales of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, as some players may opt for the new title over the DLC.

FromSoftware’s Elden Ring has been a monumental success, captivating players with its expansive world and challenging gameplay. In fact, it is still one of the top three best-selling and top ten most-played games on Steam—at the time of writing. However, the upcoming DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, is set to face significant competition from another highly anticipated Soulslike game: Black Myth: Wukong.

Developed by Chinese developer Game Science and the title’s release just around the corner, Black Myth: Wukong is generating immense hype, and for good reason!

A “Journey to the West” Like No Other

Black Myth: Wukong (BM: W?), based on the classic Chinese novel “Journey to the West,” follows Sun Wukong, a.k.a. “The Destined One.” This dark and gritty take on the beloved tale promises to engage players in a breathtaking world filled with terrifying enemies and epic battles—which, of course, will be challenging and require serious skill to beat, given its Soulslike tag.

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With a release date set for August 20, 2024, Black Myth: Wukong is already gaining traction. And a recent claim about the game’s potential features has only added fuel to the fire, leaving many wondering if it could outperform even the mighty FromSoftware title.

New Game+, Multiple Endings, and a Staggering Variety of Enemies

According to a recent post by leaker Lunatic Ignus on X (formerly Twitter), Black Myth: Wukong will include a New Game+ mode at launch – a feature that will undoubtedly appeal to hardcore Soulslike fans. Furthermore, the game’s storyline is speculated to have multiple endings affected by player choices, similar to Elden Ring—although the exact number of said endings remains unknown (for now).

However, it’s the sheer number of enemy types that has really caught the attention of the gaming community. As per the same post, Black Myth: Wukong boasts over 160 unique enemy types, a figure that surpasses even the base Elden Ring, which has 126.

This incredible variety promises to keep players engaged and, more importantly for Soulslike fans, challenged throughout their journey.

Quality Over Quantity: Boss Encounters in Black Myth Wukong

While Elden Ring boasts a whopping 238 bosses in total, Black Myth: Wukong is rumored to feature around 80 boss encounters. Some may see this as a drawback, but it’s important to consider the quality of these encounters over sheer quantity.

With a greater focus on enemy variety, Black Myth: Wukong aims to deliver players a more diverse and engaging combat experience. Each enemy type will likely require a unique strategy, keeping players on their toes and encouraging experimentation with different strategies and playstyles—which is at the heart and soul of Soulslike titles.

Overall, if you want to go up against a range of menacing enemies while exploring a fascinating new world rather than spending half of your playtime time boss-hunting, Game Science’s title may be more appealing to you!

The Potential Impact on Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Sales

As Black Myth: Wukong’s release date draws closer, it’s hard not to wonder how it might affect the sales of Elden Ring’s upcoming DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree. While Elden Ring has already established itself as a masterpiece in the Soulslike genre, the appeal of a fresh, visually breathtaking world filled with unique enemies could potentially influence some players to choose Black Myth: Wukong over the familiar lands of the Erdtree.

For those who prioritize exploration and combat variety over boss-hunting, Black Myth: Wukong’s impressive enemy count and promise of a vast, immersive world may outweigh the DLC’s offerings. This could very much lead to a split in the Soulslike community, with some opting for the tried-and-true formula of Elden Ring, while others venture into the uncharted territory of Black Myth: Wukong.

Black Myth: Wukong is set to release on August 20, while Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdree will be released on June 20 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X | S.