Back in February 2021, Game Science Studios did what few studios can do: it made a trailer feel like a thunderclap. I still remember watching the Year of the Ox video for Black Myth: Wukong and thinking the Monkey King had just kicked open the door to a new era of Chinese action RPGs. The studio had already stunned us in August 2020 with a gorgeous martial arts souls-like reveal, and this second trailer added more footage, more confidence, and one very important detail: a 2023 release frame. At the time, that felt like a promise. In 2026, looking back, it feels more like a tease from a team that knew the road would be long.

I’m writing this in 2026, so the timeline has a few extra chapters. The original trailer pointed to PC and all mainstream platforms, and it framed Black Myth: Wukong as the first installment in a trilogy based on Chinese mythology. That was a bold claim for a studio still building its global reputation. But the trailer had that rare mix of atmosphere, combat, and cultural texture that makes players sit up and pay attention. The monkey king doesn’t do quiet entrances, and this one landed like a staff strike. 🔥

For anyone who joined the story late, here’s the quick version:

When	What happened
August 2020	Game Science reveals Black Myth: Wukong with a stunning debut trailer
February 2021	A new Year of the Ox trailer arrives and mentions a 2023 release frame
August 2024	The game launches on PC and PlayStation 5
August 2025	The Xbox Series X/S version follows
2026	The conversation has shifted from “when” to “what’s next”

That 2021 trailer was a mood, not a shipping date. Game Science kept the mystery alive for years, and the eventual launch proved that the hype had real substance behind it. I’d argue that the Year of the Ox video did more than advertise a game; it put Chinese mythology on the global AAA map and showed that a souls-like could feel fresh when it drew from a different cultural well. The martial arts flavor, the creature design, and the sense of scale all suggested a team swinging for something special.

As of 2026, the 2023 window is history. Black Myth: Wukong arrived in August 2024 on PC and PS5, with the Xbox version following in 2025. The game is no longer a promising trailer; it is a benchmark. Game Science’s first installment in its planned trilogy has become a reference point for Chinese-developed action RPGs, and the industry has been watching closely ever since. 🎮

What stands out most to me is how the 2021 trailer aged. It wasn’t just a pretty face; it was a statement. The studio said, in effect, we are here, and we are bringing the Monkey King with us. The delay from 2023 to 2024 was disappointing for some, but in the end, the monkey took his sweet time and walked out with a game that matched the noise. That is not nothing. In this industry, trailers lie all the time. This one, at least, pointed toward something real.

I’ll keep one eye on Game Science’s next move. The trilogy plan is still the big question mark, and after a launch like that, the pressure is on. But if the studio can keep the same blend of myth, combat, and ambition, the next chapter should be worth the wait. 🐒