Oh, how I wish I could have played Black Myth: Wukong at Gamescom

After attending Gamescom 2023, I left with a plethora of exciting upcoming games in my arsenal, ranging from triple-A giants like Mortal Kombat 1 and Sonic Superstars to smaller yet equally impressive releases such as Thank Goodness You're Here and AK-xolotl. While I was delighted with everything I had the opportunity to witness, one game completely captivated my attention—the Soulslike title Black Myth: Wukong, inspired by the journey to the West.

Since its initial unveiling, Black Myth: Wukong has managed to amass a devoted fanbase and generate an immense amount of hype. Initially, I was hesitant to jump on the bandwagon, despite my love for the source material (after all, anything even remotely related to Dragon Ball cannot be bad) and my deep respect for the Soulslike genre.

It was unusual for me, someone who usually jumps on every hype train without hesitation, to not understand the hype surrounding Wukong. However, everything changed after the incredible trailer showcased during the opening night. From the moment Wukong deflected bullets by twirling his staff and looking like an absolute badass, I was captivated and finally understood what everyone was so excited about. Despite being barely able to believe Sindel's brutal Fatality, Black Myth: Wukong was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the show.

After the opening night, I catapulted Black Myth: Wukong with a huge leap to the top of my most anticipated games of 2024 list, and the incredible music from the trailer looped in my mind like a roller coaster. I was completely hooked on the Monkey King and eagerly looked forward to seeing more of the game, whenever that fateful day may come.

Imagine my surprise the next day when I stumbled groggily into the exhibition area and took a look at what was there before the massive crowds could deter me from ever venturing beyond the press area. I saw that Black Myth: Wukong was not only playable at Gamescom but also had one of the largest booths in the entire event, towering even over games like Mortal Kombat 1 and Payday 3.

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to play Wukong and fully immerse myself in my new hyperfixation. I hurried through the eerily quiet exhibition area, expecting to casually stroll in, get my monkey-filled enjoyment, and continue with my day. But that's not how it went. Even though the convention had not yet opened to the general public, and my breakfast was barely digested, there was already an hourly queue that grew longer by the second.

With appointments to keep and a gamer buzz to spread about Gamescom, I trudged away defeated and made a vow to return even earlier the next day, determined to conquer the crowds and ensure that I could spend some time with the surprising superstar of the show, who oddly had no presence or opportunities for the press. You've read the title, so hopefully, you've figured out where this is leading. The queue was somehow even larger the next day, and signs indicated wait times of two to four hours before the sun had even risen.

At this point, it was clear that I would likely never have the opportunity to play Wukong at Gamescom. However, that didn't stop me from returning time and again whenever I had the chance, hoping to get lucky and see the once seemingly ridiculous one-hour queue. As the week progressed, it became less about expecting to play the game and more about a morbid curiosity of how long the queues could become. That question was answered on Saturday when a sign in front of the booth displayed "Capacity Reached" at 11 a.m.

No matter how hard I tried, I left Gamescom 2023 without having the opportunity to play the biggest game, which is very disappointing even though I had just begun to show interest in it. I still have no idea why Black Myth: Wukong was such a big deal. Perhaps the epic trailer from the opening night resonated with others as much as it did with me. Maybe the long wait times turned it into something that people absolutely had to see. Or perhaps, just maybe, Gamescom, gamers, and the whole world are conspiring against me, and I am not meant to be happy or allowed to do what I want, ever.