In the year 2026, the epic journey of Black Myth Wukong continues to captivate players with its profound narrative, a tale that unfolds long after the events of the classic Journey to the West. The game presents not one, but two distinct conclusions to the saga of the Destined One, each painting a vastly different future for the successor of the legendary Monkey King. But what truly defines these endings? Is it merely a choice between victory and defeat, or is it a deeper philosophical question about fate, freedom, and the nature of legacy itself?
The core of the story revolves around a fundamental truth: Sun Wukong is dead. His physical form was slain in the game's opening moments by Erlang Shen. Yet, his essence—his legacy—persists. The universe, in its mysterious ways, selects a champion to bear this legacy forward: the Destined One. This protagonist's entire quest is to gather the six senses—the relics—of the fallen Great Sage. But is this a journey of resurrection, or one of replacement? The Old Monkey, a guiding yet cryptic figure, suggests the latter: "That Wukong you knew will never return. But what made him remains. The universe will always bear him a successor." The Destined One's pilgrimage is thus a trial, a test of worthiness to inherit not just the power, but the very name and nature of Sun Wukong.
The climactic moment occurs within the mind palace of Sun Wukong, housed within the stone on Mount Huagao. Here, the Destined One must face the final shell of Wukong's former self—a hollowed-out version stripped of its mind. This epic confrontation is less about brute force and more about integration. The Old Monkey's final challenge is clear: "If you truly are the one destined, you must cast aside his soulless shell and merge the six into one." Upon defeating this spectral remnant, a significant transformation occurs. The shell of the Great Sage turns black upon its defeat, disintegrating and leaving behind a singular, powerful symbol: the golden headband.
This is where the paths diverge, leading to the two dramatically different endings known to players.
The Constrained Ending: The Cycle Repeats
Most players who complete the main storyline without uncovering its deepest secrets will experience this conclusion. In this ending, the Destined One emerges victorious from the stone. However, the Old Monkey promptly places the recovered golden headband upon the successor's head. This act is heavy with meaning. The headband, originally placed by Buddha, was always a shackle designed to suppress Wukong's rebellious spirit and enforce obedience to the Celestial Palace.
By accepting the headband, what has the Destined One truly achieved? The successor becomes the new Sun Wukong in name and power, but also inherits the original's imprisonment. The final scene shows the new Monkey King trapped within the stone, aging over countless years, destined to replay the same cycle of confinement. This ending suggests a tragic, unchanging destiny:
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The Celestial Palace's control remains absolute.
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The successor merely takes the predecessor's place in a pre-ordained prison.
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The cycle of punishment continues, potentially awaiting yet another "Destined One" in the distant future.
It is a poignant, somber conclusion that questions whether any true change is possible under the heavens' rigid order.
The True Ending: Shattering Fate
To unlock the game's secret and true ending, a player must undertake a hidden, arduous task: seek out and defeat Erlang Shen and the Heavenly Kings in a secret rematch on Mount Mei. This is not a simple bonus boss fight; it is the key that unlocks the full truth of Wukong's master plan. Why would Erlang, the god who seemingly killed Wukong, orchestrate such a test for the Destined One?
The secret cutscenes reveal a stunning conspiracy. Erlang Shen confesses, "My brothers tested you at my behest, all for this day." He explains that the initial "killing" of Sun Wukong was a deliberate act, a plot between them to grant the Monkey King the only escape possible from his celestial shackles: a mortal death. "A mortal death for an unbound mind and will," Erlang states. The headband was a cage that not even Buddhahood could remove. Wukong's defiant last words to Erlang were, "Keep those eyes wide open. Watch me rip it off and break free!"
Armed with this revelation, the final battle against Wukong's shell takes on new meaning. In this ending sequence, after the victory, the Old Monkey does not place the headband on the Destined One. Instead, the successor is struck by visions of the past—the true pact between Wukong and Erlang. In a moment of triumphant will, the Destined One does not don the symbol of submission. Instead, the curse of the headband is finally broken.
The new Sun Wukong rises from the stone, not as a prisoner, but as a truly free being. Erlang's earlier observation rings true: "No prestige can shackle him. No band can keep him caged." This is the birth of a Monkey King unbound by the laws of heaven, whose freedom is absolute. The Old Monkey's statement about beginning the journey "anew" finds its true fulfillment here. Only with freedom can a new, perhaps different, saga truly begin.
Legacy, Freedom, and a New Myth
The two endings present a powerful dichotomy:
| Aspect | The Constrained Ending | The True (Secret) Ending |
|---|---|---|
| Headband's Fate | Placed on the Destined One | Its curse is broken |
| Destined One's Status | New prisoner in the stone | Truly free successor |
| Cycle of Fate | Continues indefinitely | Shattered, allowing a new beginning |
| Wukong's Legacy | A title of confinement | A mantle of liberated will |
| Erlang Shen's Role | Remains the enigmatic executioner | Revealed as a co-conspirator for freedom |
The "Black Myth" in the title gains profound resonance here. It refers not just to the "dark" or alternative retelling of Wukong's story, but literally to the Black Wukong—the darkened, hollow shell the protagonist must defeat. It symbolizes the old myth, the selfish deeds, and the constrained legacy that must be overcome.
So, what does the true ending signify for the future? The game leaves tantalizing questions for 2026 and beyond:
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Will this new, free Sun Wukong become a champion of rebellion once more, or forge a different path?
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How will the Celestial Palace and the Jade Emperor react to a Monkey King truly outside their control?
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Does "beginning the journey anew" hint at future chapters in this saga?
The Destined One's journey teaches that legacy is not about mere replication. It is about understanding the struggles of the past, recognizing the chains that bound the hero, and having the courage to break them. In the end, Black Myth Wukong posits that the greatest tribute to a legend is not to occupy his prison, but to finally win the freedom he fought for and embark on a new journey under the same unstoppable name. The myth continues, but now, its color is not just black or gold—it is the hue of unchained potential.