Dark myth: Wukong has received widespread praise thanks to its gameplay and storytelling. However, an interesting aspect of the game is that the main game, if the player ignores the other side quests, does not actually provide the true ending. In fact, it’s more accurate to say that ending the main game without any additional content is considered a bad ending. The missions are not directly related to Destiny’s adventure, but are in fact essential to not only ensuring a happy ending, but also explaining more of Sun Wukong’s story.
However, the process of unlocking this ending depends on the player completing a number of tasks that will help determine what kind of person Sun Wukong was, as well as introduce arguably some of the most difficult enemies. powerhouses of the game. For such a large world, it can seem overwhelming trying to do everything right. Fortunately, each of the tasks can take place in conjunction with the main story chapters.
The search for Sun Wukong’s relics
A monkey shell
The opening of the game sees the titular Sun Wukong facing Erlang Shen, who is supported by an army sent by the Heavenly Court. The reason for their conflict was Wukong’s refusal to rejoin the court and return to the simple life he led on his mountain. This rejection caused resentment at court and, given the highly feudal nature of the world in which he lived, was probably a crime for failing to obtain permission to leave his place of residence.
Although Wukong put up a valiant fight, he was ultimately incapacitated by the circlet he wore and could not take off, which connected him to the Heavenly Court. Wukong was sealed in stone and his six senses were scattered across the mortal realm, sparking Destiny’s quest to reunite them and hopefully revive Sun Wukong.
- Sun Wukong was sealed because he refused to join the Heavenly Court.
- Destiny must find all of his relics to potentially bring him back.
- Finding the Missing Memory Relic Requires Multiple Side Quests
This all may seem like general information, but understanding this and understanding why Sun Wukong was never truly free is essential to being able to interpret the true ending of the story. So, Destiny, one of the many ape warriors sent to bring back Wukong, set out on his quest. However, while the main story sees him recovering five of Wukong’s relics, he is missing the sixth, and this is arguably the most important of all: Wukong’s memory..
Where this relic is hidden is ultimately what all side quests and battles reveal. A long journey through mythology gives players the chance to right the wrongs done to the Monkey King while Destiny finds all the relics. Still, finding the memory relic is easier said than done. There are a lot of technical details, and even if the sometimes tedious process and difficult boss fights are overcome, there are technically two major obstacles to unlocking the true ending.
Clean secret areas
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The essentials of unlocking the true ending of Dark myth: Wukong involves tracking down and clearing secret areas found throughout each chapter. Fortunately, there is only one secret area per chapter and not all chapters have a secret area. The player’s targets will be Chapters 1, 2, 4, and 5. Each area has different requirements to enter, but once the Destiny has met the necessary requirements, they are transported to an arena to face a powerful boss. Every enemy he faces has a connection to Sun Wukong, providing insight into who he was as a person and what he was ultimately planning when he decided to face Erlang.
Specifically, Chapter 1 will require Destiny to ring three bells to be brought to the first secret area. The secret area in Chapter 2 can only be unlocked by following a series of quests to help an NPC sober up. The quest for the right ingredients will ultimately bring the Destiny to the secret area where he can confront his boss. Chapter 3 does not have the secret area, unlike Chapters 4 and 5. Finding and completing all of their bosses unlocks the components needed to witness the true ending..
In Chapter 4, there is a secret path near the Upper Hollow Shrine that leads behind it. Follow the path that leads to the caverns where Destiny will be confronted by the Venom Taoist, players will have to fight him twice. The first time in the caverns and again after going through most of Chapter 4. Finally, there is a quest in Chapter 5 in which Destiny must destroy five elemental carts to unlock the hidden area, then defeat the two bosses that are there.
The final pieces needed to unlock the true ending
Finding treasures is the key
The next phase to unlock the true ending is the Treasure Hunter side quest. This particular quest can be started in the middle of Chapter 3. After meeting the titular treasure hunter, Destiny can go out of his way to help the strange man, warming him with fire when he pretends to be cold. From there, the Destiny will have to discover a secret path, leading to a cave where the Treasure Hunter will confront him. He reveals himself to be an enemy and a boss fight ensues.
- The Destiny must complete the Treasure Hunter side quest.
- Next, Destiny must acquire all the pieces of Sun Wukong’s armor in Chapter 6.
- Finally, Destiny must acquire Erlang Shen’s memory relic.
Once the Treasure Hunter, now revealed to be the Green-Headed Martialist, is defeated, the Destiny will gain Spell Binder. This is a powerful spell that ironically locks the Destiny’s ability to use magic in exchange for a nice increase in their martial arts power. If the player has accomplished this and unlocked and cleared the secret areas, there are only two things left to do at this point.
In chapter 6, Destiny must find and acquire all the pieces of Sun Wukong’s armor. In addition to being a powerful piece of equipment to wear, armor also has symbolic importance for the final battle. To find the armor, the Destiny must travel the area and land near the areas where lightning has struck the ground. Fight the various bosses that gather around these areas and armor will be their reward.
Facing an old enemy
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The final key to unlocking the true ending is finding and confronting Erlang Shen. If all conditions are met, then Destiny will be guided to the Great Pagoda. Once inside, the path to Mount Mei will be open to them. Destiny is able to climb its heights and discover Erlang, triggering a long battle with Erlang where he reveals that no one, not even him, could kill Sun Wukong. The only one capable of doing it was Wukong himself. This is the first hint of the Monkey King’s true plan, but what follows is easily the most difficult boss fight in the entire game.
Erlang will have several phases to go through, finally facing the player in his gigantic Shen form. Once defeated, Erlang will reveal that he has the sixth relic.. Erlang arguably held Sun Wukong’s most vital meaning: his memory. It was in his third eye all this time and is now rightfully Destiny’s as he has proven to Erlang that he is a worthy successor.
By offering it to the player after defeat, it is guaranteed that the true ending will be revealed. All that’s left for the player at this point is to make a second attempt at fighting the final boss. This time, a new cutscene will play, as well as a new animated sequence explaining Wukong’s true motivations. At this point, the truth of what Sun Wukong wanted will be revealed.
The real end of the game
Sun Wukong always wanted freedom
The player will have to face the final boss again. Usually, without the sixth relic, Destiny would take on Sun Wukong’s circle, but this would bind him to the Heavenly Court, just like his predecessor. It would then be sealed in stone – this is considered a bad ending to the game. Now armed with all the relics, the player begins to understand the full scope of what Sun Wukong intended for his successor.
- Sun Wukong intended for Destiny to become his new successor.
- By handing over his memories to Destiny, he can avoid being enslaved by the Heavenly Court.
It was never about bringing Wukong back exactly as he once was. The truth is that there is no way to achieve such a feat. Even if they did, Wukong would still be bound by the circle, trapped in the power of the Heavenly Court, which he did not want. His plan, concocted with Erlang, was to carry out a sort of ritual suicide by falling in battle. His successor would then acquire the relics one by one, until finally proving himself to Erlang, thus acquiring the mental relic, containing all of Wukong’s memories..
In this way, the player revives Sun Wukong, but tempered by his journey to understand how manipulative and corrupt the heavenly court is. Armed with the truth, they can avoid setting the circle, thereby gaining all the power Sun Wukong possessed without the baggage. In this way, Wukong cheated death, but actually improved the new iteration of himself, one with the wisdom and defiance to stand alone against the other gods.
The new monkey king
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Eventually, the true ending involved reviving Sun Wukong in a new form. The reason the game itself is called “Black Myth” is because it examines how the most powerful characters in Chinese mythology were not as benevolent or wise. They targeted the first Sun Wukong because he defied their order. All he wanted was to live his own life in peace, but they couldn’t understand or bear the idea of someone being separated from them, as equals. So they destroyed it, but in doing so they ensured that something far more dangerous would come into existence next.
Wukong was still under their control – this circle linked him to them. By forcing his hand, they effectively brought about what they feared: a reckless Monkey King with a way to restrain him. Seeing the secret fight with Erlang, one has to wonder how different the game’s opening battle would have been if Wukong hadn’t been so restricted by the circle. Clearly, Destiny was a threat even before he acquired all of Wukong’s power and knowledge.
At the true end of the game, a new Sun Wukong appeared. One who is aware of the dangers of trusting the Heavenly Court and is now more than ready to stand against them to protect what he loves. So, even in death, the original Sun Wukong still challenges his former masters.