Game Science, the developer behind the critically acclaimed action RPG Black Myth: Wukong, has released a new in-engine trailer for its upcoming sequel, Black Myth: Zhong Kui. However, the six-minute video, released to celebrate Chinese New Year and the Year of the Horse, comes with a significant disclaimer: it is “non-canon” and intended purely for entertainment purposes.
The trailer, which debuted on , presents itself as a cooking show, showcasing the preparation of a complex and unusual feast. While seemingly innocuous, the video quickly reveals a surreal and unsettling undercurrent, hinting at the dark folkloric themes that will likely define Zhong Kui. The developer initially revealed Black Myth: Zhong Kui at Opening Night Live 2025 last .
The trailer’s narrative unfolds with a young woman meticulously preparing ingredients. However, closer inspection reveals that not everything is as it seems. Figures are subtly non-human, and ingredients include unsettling elements like a shell revealing a “little grey-faced man, uh, thing,” meat embedded with blinking eyeballs, and chives harvested from a sleeping, demonic plant. The video culminates in the presentation of the finished dish to a masked prisoner, guarded by a figure potentially representing Zhong Kui himself, the Ghost King.
Game Science is deliberately framing this footage as a “tech demo,” emphasizing its focus on visual fidelity and atmosphere rather than a direct representation of the game’s storyline. This approach mirrors a similar release accompanying last year’s Chinese New Year celebrations. The developer has stressed that the footage is unlikely to impact the eventual narrative of Black Myth: Zhong Kui.
Black Myth: Zhong Kui will be the second installment in the Black Myth series, following the success of Black Myth: Wukong, which launched in and garnered multiple awards, though notably missed out on the Game of the Year category at The Game Awards, a point of disappointment for the development team. Like its predecessor, Zhong Kui is a single-player action RPG, but shifts the focus from the Monkey King to Zhong Kui, a prominent Taoist deity and exorcist in Chinese folklore.
The choice of Zhong Kui as the protagonist suggests a game steeped in encounters with ghostly and demonic entities. While the Chinese New Year trailer doesn’t directly showcase combat, the unsettling imagery and the character’s role as an exorcist strongly imply a challenging and atmospheric experience. The trailer’s emphasis on visual detail and in-engine rendering demonstrates Game Science’s commitment to pushing graphical boundaries, building on the impressive visuals established in Black Myth: Wukong.
Despite the “non-canon” label, the trailer provides the most substantial look yet at the aesthetic and tone of Black Myth: Zhong Kui. The intricate environments, detailed character models, and unsettling creature designs offer a glimpse into the game’s world. The video’s deliberate pacing and focus on the preparation of the meal create a sense of unease and anticipation, hinting at a narrative that will likely be both captivating and disturbing.
It’s important to note that, as of , Game Science has explicitly stated that combat systems are not yet in development for Black Myth: Zhong Kui. This suggests the current focus is on establishing the game’s world, atmosphere, and visual style before implementing core gameplay mechanics. The released footage serves primarily as a demonstration of the engine’s capabilities and the artistic direction of the project.
The release of this trailer, despite its non-canonical nature, is a strategic move by Game Science to maintain momentum and engage the community following the success of Black Myth: Wukong. By leveraging the cultural significance of Chinese New Year, the developer has generated significant buzz and anticipation for the sequel, while simultaneously managing expectations regarding the game’s current development stage.
