Game Science Unveils Black Myth: Zhong Kui Footage: 'Year of the Horse' Tech Showcase

The "Year of the Horse" Tech Showcase

Game Science just dropped nearly seven minutes of in-engine footage for Black Myth: Zhong Kui, and it is weird in all the right ways. While the studio officially revealed the sequel at Opening Night Live 2025, this new look comes courtesy of a Chinese New Year celebration. We need to be clear: this carries a heavy "non-canon" disclaimer. Much like the spin-off shorts they released during Wukong's development, this is a vibe check and a tech flex rather than a vertical slice of the final narrative.

Even without direct combat, the footage is a masterclass in atmosphere. It starts with a mundane kitchen scene that quickly spirals into the grotesque. We’re talking about "oyster-stroke-mussel" shells that open to reveal grey-faced creatures instead of seafood, and slabs of meat embedded with blinking eyeballs. It’s the kind of high-fidelity body horror and creature design that made the first game a standout, showing off exactly what this engine can do when pushed.

Setting the Stage for Zhong Kui

Our take? Game Science is leaning hard into its strengths. The sequel is rooted in the classic folktale "Zhong Kui Banishing Evil," and the studio is promising more than just a 1.5-style update. According to the team, Black Myth: Zhong Kui is a chance to "deliver distinctive experiences and gameplay features that push our limits."

More importantly, they seem to be listening to the critics. Game Science explicitly stated they want to bring "fresh ideas and necessary changes to address past flaws and regrets." While Wukong was a massive hit, it wasn't without its technical hitches and occasional gameplay friction. Hearing a dev admit they have "regrets" about a game that sold 10 million copies in three days is the kind of transparency we love to see. It suggests they aren't just chasing a paycheck—they’re chasing a more polished, "Great 10/10" experience this time around.

What’s Next for the Sequel?

If you’re looking for a release date, keep waiting. There is currently no window for Zhong Kui, and we likely won’t get one until the team is further along. Given that Black Myth: Wukong only just hit Xbox Series X/S in August 2025, Game Science has earned a bit of breathing room to get this right.

For now, this trailer serves as a reminder of the studio's technical prowess. Even if we don't end up fighting "eyeball meat" in the final game, the lighting, sound design, and sheer creativity on display here confirm that the success of Wukong was no fluke. This team has the tech and the vision to own the action-RPG space for the foreseeable future.