The gaming landscape of 2026 continues to be shaped by monumental releases, and few have made as explosive an entry as Game Science's Black Myth Wukong. Following its historic launch, which saw over 10 million units sold in its first 72 hours, the action RPG has become a benchmark for comparison. Among the titles it is most frequently measured against is Lies of P, the 2023 dystopian action-adventure that carved its own niche in the genre. While separated by their cultural origins—one rooted in ancient Chinese myth and the other in a twisted, futuristic fairytale—both games represent pinnacles of linear, narrative-driven action, inviting players into meticulously crafted worlds where every battle is a dance with destiny and every environment tells a story of ruin and resilience.
🎮 Platform Availability & Accessibility
A key point of divergence lies in their platform strategy. Black Myth Wukong launched as a console exclusive for PlayStation 5 and PC, with an Xbox Series X|S version confirmed for a future release. In contrast, Lies of P adopted a multiplatform approach from the outset, being available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and even last-generation consoles (PS4, Xbox One), with a macOS port also offered. This makes Lies of P, in 2026, the more universally accessible title, acting like a digital public square where players from almost any hardware background can converge.
🗺️ World Design & Narrative Structure
Both games employ a linear, chapter-based narrative structure, guiding players along a predetermined path. Think of them not as open sandboxes, but as exquisitely curated museum tours—each room (or chapter) is a self-contained exhibit of artistry and challenge, with limited but meaningful opportunities for exploration and secret discovery within its boundaries.
-
Black Myth Wukong: The journey spans the mythic heartland of ancient China, from lush, spirit-infested forests and snow-capped peaks to barren, windswept deserts. The story adapts the 16th-century novel Journey to the West, casting players as the Destined One, Sun Wukong, on a quest for vengeance against the celestial beings who massacred his clan.
-
Lies of P: The setting is the fallen city of Krat, a Belle Époque-inspired metropolis now drowning in a sea of mechanized horror and bloodlust. Players become Pinocchio, a puppet created by Geppetto, navigating ruined streets and opulent interiors to find his creator and restore the city.
⚔️ Core Gameplay & Combat Philosophy
This is where the two titles fundamentally part ways, a distinction often blurred by surface-level comparisons.
| Feature | Black Myth Wukong | Lies of P |
|---|---|---|
| Genre Core | Action RPG with heavy emphasis on combos, spells, and transformations. | Soulslike, heavily inspired by Bloodborne and Sekiro. |
| Difficulty | Fixed difficulty. Progression comes from mastering Wukong's expansive move set, upgrading stats, and unlocking new abilities and spells. | Fixed difficulty. Success hinges on precise timing, stamina management, parrying, and learning enemy patterns. |
| Protagonist Feel | You are a demi-god, a force of nature. Combat can feel like conducting a symphony of elemental chaos. | You are a fragile puppet in a world of monsters. Survival is a tense, calculated duel of attrition. |
| Key Mechanics | Staff combat, 72 Transformations, magic spells, focused on aggressive, stylish play. | Weapon assembly (Blade + Handle), Legion Arm tools, a Lies/Truth system affecting the narrative, focused on defensive mastery. |
Black Myth Wukong empowers the player. Wielding the legendary Ruyi Jingu Bang, Sun Wukong can unleash furious combos, cast powerful incantations, and transform into various creatures—from a giant to a cicada—to gain tactical advantages. It is less about surviving a hit and more about orchestrating overwhelming force. Lies of P, however, places the player in a constant state of vulnerability. Perfect guards, dodges, and strategic use of the Legion Arm are essential. Its combat is a high-stakes game of chess where every move could be your last, demanding patience and precision over flamboyance.
🎭 Thematic Depth & Artistic Vision
The soul of each game is painted with entirely different palettes.
- Black Myth Wukong is a grand, mythological epic. It draws from a deep well of Chinese folklore, Buddhism, and Taoism. Its themes revolve around destiny, rebellion against heaven, vengeance, and the search for enlightenment. The world is vibrant, awe-inspiring, and filled with divine beings and ancient monsters.
- Lies of P is a dark, gothic tragedy. It reimagines Carlo Collodi's story through a lens of body horror, industrial decay, and existential dread. Themes of humanity, free will, deception, and what it means to be "real" are explored in its rusted, blood-soaked corridors. The atmosphere is one of pervasive melancholy and dread.
✅ Conclusion: Complementary Titans
As of 2026, both Black Myth Wukong and Lies of P stand as titans of the action RPG genre, yet they cater to different player sensibilities. To call Wukong a "Soulslike" is a misclassification; it is a mythological power fantasy unleashed, a game that makes you feel like the legend you are controlling. Lies of P remains a masterclass in Soulslike refinement, a punishing but fair test of skill within a heartbreakingly beautiful world.
For players seeking:
-
A visually stunning, culturally rich power trip with deep combat variety: Black Myth Wukong is the definitive choice.
-
A tense, challenging, and atmospheric gothic horror experience with tight, rewarding combat: Lies of P remains an essential play.
Ultimately, their comparison enriches both. They demonstrate the vast spectrum of the action RPG, proving that linear, challenging narratives can thrive, whether they are set in the mythic past or a doomed future. They are not competitors, but rather two brilliant stars in the same constellation, each shining with its own unique light.
Data referenced from Forbes - Games frames how breakout launches can quickly turn a single title into a genre yardstick, which helps explain why Black Myth Wukong is so often discussed alongside a proven benchmark like Lies of P. Viewed through that industry lens, the comparison is less about declaring a “winner” and more about recognizing two different commercial and design strategies—one leaning into mythic spectacle and player empowerment, the other banking on the enduring demand for tightly tuned, punishing Soulslike combat—both thriving in the same premium action RPG market.