Following the monumental buzz of its predecessor, Black Myth: Zhong Kui has been unveiled as the next ambitious chapter in the high-octane action RPG series. In a stunning cinematic teaser released to commemorate the Lunar New Year, the sequel showcases its breathtaking technical evolution. Beyond the sheer visual fidelity of the early in-engine footage, the trailer is packed with symbolic details that hint at how this reimagining of Chinese folklore will unfold.
A Feast for the Soul
By spotlighting the creation of a feast from eldritch and magical components, Game Science is leaning heavily into this specific facet of the legend. The female figure tending the hearth may very well be Zhong Kui’s sister, a character who occasionally appears in folklore as a demon hunter in her own right. Her calm demeanor while handling otherworldly ingredients and commanding monstrous helpers suggests a deep familiarity with the occult.
The ingredients showcased are themselves artifacts of myth: ‘Feng’ refers to a peculiar meat with eyes that regenerates as quickly as it is consumed, while ‘Chiru’ is a divine fish with a human face capable of curing ailments. Their presence suggests that cooking may be a core gameplay mechanic—perhaps a way for players to concoct potent elixirs or temporary stat boosts before entering the fray against the game’s formidable bosses.
Beyond the culinary metaphors, Zhong Kui remains a cornerstone of Chinese culture; his image is still used as a talisman to ward off evil in modern homes. As a supernatural exorcist, he provides the perfect archetype for an action hero—a warrior dedicated to purging darkness, often accompanied by a retinue of ghosts and creatures he has subjugated. Some of these very entities can be seen assisting in the kitchen during the trailer.
The teaser leaves us with one haunting mystery: the identity of the hooded figure at the very end. While the video is framed as a standalone special, the reveal of a smooth, human-like chin after the hood is removed raises questions. It certainly isn’t the protagonist, as Zhong Kui is traditionally depicted with a massive, unmistakable beard. One compelling theory suggests this lavish meal is a representation of Meng Po’s Soup—the mythical broth served to souls to erase their memories before reincarnation. If this holds true, the entire sequence might be a highly stylized preview of the game’s respawn system, turning the cycle of death and rebirth into a literal feast for the gods.
Source: gamesradar.com
