Black Myth Wukong vs Stellar Blade - Which is the better action RPG

Both Black Myth Wukong and Stellar Blade are games developed by former mobile game developers, and both are ARPGs with combo-based, fast-paced combat. These games were created by Asian studios: Stellar Blade was developed by the South Korean SHIFT UP Corporation while Black Myth Wukong was the brainchild of China-based Game Science.

Owing to many similarities, it becomes hard to determine which title is better. Both have their strengths and weaknesses; Stellar Blade has a smoother combat system while Black Myth Wukong is rich in story and style. In this article, we have discussed all their details to help you choose the best one for you.

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Strengths and weaknesses of Stellar Blade

Stellar Blade's strengths and weaknesses (Image via Playstation)

• Release date: April 26, 2024
• Developer: Shift Up
• Setting: A futuristic, cyberpunk world where players control Eve, battling against monstrous foes.

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Strengths

• Smooth combat: Stellar Blade emphasizes precise timing and combos, with a mix of melee and ranged attacks. The game encourages players to master dodging and parrying to successfully defeat enemies.
• Stellar visuals: The game features stunning graphics and dynamic character designs that have garnered significant praise from the gaming community.
• Customization options: Players can unlock a wide variety of cosmetic items, including 30 different costumes for Eve. However, the design of some of these skins had kindled a controversy.

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Weaknesses

• Repetitive elements: While this is an issue for both titles, Stellar particularly suffers from repetitive gameplay mechanics, especially in combat sequences.
• Platforming issues: The platforming segments can be frustrating due to imprecise controls and invisible walls.
• Story execution: While the narrative has intriguing elements, it can feel predictable and lacks impactful character development throughout the game. Several reviews have even deemed the story ‘lackluster.’

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Strengths and weaknesses of Black Myth Wukong

Wukong's strengths and weaknesses (Image via Game Science)

• Release date: August 20, 2024
• Developer: Game Science
• Setting: Based on the Chinese classic Journey to the West, featuring mythological elements and characters.

Strengths

• Soulslike combat: The game offers a combat system inspired by Souls games. Players can utilize a variety of spells and abilities alongside melee attacks with a staff. Players can cycle through three stances based on the encounter, with each stance changing the attack style.
• Visuals: Built on Unreal Engine 5, Black Myth Wukong does an amazing job of recreating an ancient Chinese mythological world. The fine details, while staying true and respectful to the source, make it deserving of all the praise it has received for its visuals.
• Exploration: Although the map is semi-linear, there’s a lot that the players can explore in Black Myth Wukong. This world is filled with secrets, collectibles, and NPC interactions, there are many hidden shrines in each chapter, as well as two secret hidden bosses that are only unlocked when the player has finished a particular task.

Weaknesses

• Lack of haptic feedback: Although Black Myth Wukong is a new-gen title, it doesn't support the DualSense's haptic feedback. No information has been provided for this but players hope a future update will bring haptics for the game.
• Frustrating spell system: The Spells in Black Myth Wukong are very effective. However, not only do the spells have a cooldown period but they also have a mana price on top of it. These two restrictions can make spell-based combat frustrating.
• Performance concerns: Although system requirements aren't very high, there have been many reports of unpolished performance, particularly on PC, with minor stuttering issues, lags, and even crashes.

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Stellar Blade or Black Myth Wukong - which should you buy?

Which is the best one? (Image via Game Science)

Looking at the strengths and weaknesses, personally, I choose Black Myth Wukong over Stellar Blade. It has a much deeper lore and fleshed-out combat system that, even though inspired by a Souls-like formula, feels fresh and intuitive. However, this doesn't mean Stellar Blade is inferior in any way.

In the end, it depends on your personal preference. If you prefer a high-stakes, smooth, and fast-paced combat, then Stellar Blade is ideal for you. However, if you want an action-heavy soulslike that has deep lore and environmental storytelling, then Black Myth Wukong is the ideal game for you.