Game Science unveiled the Black Myth: Zhong Kui trailer at Gamescom 2025, following the worldwide success of Black Myth: Wukong.

      Credit: Black Myth: Wu Kong

      On Tuesday, Game Science premiered the first trailer for Black Myth: Zhong Kui on the opening day of Gamescom, officially recognizing it as the second installment in the Black Myth series and categorizing it as a single-player action role-playing game.

      Why it's significant: The trailer ignited considerable conversation among both Chinese and international gamers, many referring to Zhong Kui as an "Eastern demon hunter," which led global streamers and audiences to delve into Chinese mythology. This reflects the increasing global fascination with Chinese gaming culture and aesthetics.

      Details: Black Myth: Zhong Kui is still in its early development stages. No gameplay demo has been released, and a launch date has yet to be revealed.

      This title tells a standalone story, and Game Science indicated that any downloadable content or sequel for Black Myth: Wukong will require significant development time before it can be released.

      Zhong Kui is a legendary character from Chinese folklore, celebrated as a master exorcist known for defeating ghosts and malevolent spirits. According to legend, he was a scholar during the Tang Dynasty who, after failing the imperial examinations due to his looks, took his own life and was later named the king of ghosts to combat demons.

      He is commonly portrayed with a black face, a fierce beard, and a sword or magical weapon. Zhong Kui features in China’s New Year paintings, temples, and operas, symbolizing justice and protection, with his likeness often displayed on walls or doors to repel evil.

      The character design showcased in the trailer merges Zhong Kui’s traditional image with aspects of folk supernatural legends and dark themes. He has a black, coiled beard and wears blue-black mechanized armor, complemented by shoulder pads inspired by the flying eaves of Chang’an city. Delicate details, such as goblins wielding the ghost-slaying sword and the wet, matted fur of a tiger as Zhong Kui’s mount, emphasize the team’s technical skill.

      Context: Black Myth: Wukong was launched last August. Since its debut, the game has recorded impressive sales and garnered positive responses from players across the globe.

      Currently, Game Science has not shared the latest sales data for Black Myth: Wukong. However, estimates suggest the game sold approximately 28 million copies in 2024, generating around RMB 9 billion ($1.25 billion) in revenue.

      Jessie Wu is a tech reporter based in Shanghai. She covers consumer electronics, semiconductors, and the gaming industry for TechNode. You can reach her via email at [email protected]. More from Jessie Wu.