Black Myth: Zhong Kui has received its first major gameplay trailer, with Game Science unexpectedly revealing almost 16 minutes of footage from its upcoming action RPG. The new video provides the most detailed look at the project since its announcement and showcases its combat system, environments, enemies and several story sequences. However, the developer has stressed that the game is still in early development, meaning the final version may differ from what is shown.
The First Extended Look at Gameplay
The new Black Myth: Zhong Kui trailer was released on August 20, 2026, and runs for roughly 15 minutes. Game Science describes it as the first look at the protagonist’s combat and selected story scenes. The footage was captured directly from a work-in-progress build running at a 21:9 aspect ratio.
The trailer begins with atmospheric exploration through a mysterious mountainous environment before moving into more extensive combat footage. The protagonist fights groups of enemies primarily with a sword, immediately giving the game a different identity from Black Myth: Wukong.
The previous game focused heavily on staff combat, spells and transformations. Zhong Kui appears to put considerably more emphasis on sword fighting, close-range attacks and dramatic weapon clashes.
The character animations are particularly impressive. Attacks look fluid and weighty, while supernatural effects add a cinematic quality to the encounters. The trailer also hints at abilities connected to elemental forces and other mystical powers.
Chinese Mythology Takes Center Stage
Like its predecessor, Black Myth: Zhong Kui draws heavily from Chinese mythology, but Game Science has chosen a very different legendary figure this time.
The game’s main inspiration is Zhong Kui, a legendary demon hunter and protector from Chinese folklore. According to traditional stories, Zhong Kui became associated with driving away demons and evil spirits after his death.
That mythology is clearly reflected in the new footage. The world is filled with strange creatures, supernatural locations and unsettling encounters. Some of the enemies shown in the trailer are particularly unusual, suggesting that Game Science wants Zhong Kui to develop its own visual identity rather than simply repeat the formula established by Wukong.
Bosses and Stunning Visuals
One of the highlights of the trailer is the appearance of large-scale enemies and a lengthy boss encounter. These scenes provide a much better opportunity to appreciate the game’s animation quality, combat effects and creature design.
The visuals of Black Myth: Zhong Kui are already one of the project’s biggest talking points. Detailed environments, lighting, particle effects, weather and highly elaborate character models demonstrate how much Game Science has progressed since the release of Wukong.
The visual quality has already surprised many players, particularly because the developers continue to describe the project as being in an early stage of development.
No Release Date Yet
Despite the extensive gameplay reveal, Game Science has not announced a release date for Black Myth: Zhong Kui. The studio has also made it clear that the footage comes from an unfinished build and that the final game may change significantly during development.
For that reason, the trailer should not be treated as a final representation of the game’s mechanics or content. Even so, it provides a much clearer picture of what Game Science is building.
Following the huge success of Black Myth: Wukong, expectations for the studio’s next project are understandably high. If the combat, visual quality and atmosphere shown in the trailer survive the development process, Black Myth: Zhong Kui could become another major showcase for China’s growing presence in the global games industry.
For now, the most important thing is that Game Science has finally shown the actual game rather than relying solely on cinematic footage. And the 15-minute reveal has already been enough to put Black Myth: Zhong Kui firmly back in the spotlight.
