Understanding Guangzhi’s Transformation from Foe to Friend in Black Myth: Wukong
Black Myth: Wukong has taken the gaming world by storm this year, selling an astonishing 10 million copies within just three days of its August 20 release. Making history, it became the first Chinese game nominated in November for the prestigious Game of the Year (GotY) at The Game Awards (TGA) 2024.
The game immerses players in an exciting journey inspired by the Chinese classic novel Journey to the West. As the “Destined One,” players traverse a rich landscape, encountering a variety of monsters on their quest to find the legendary Sun Wukong. Among the memorable characters, one has particularly captured players’ hearts in the early stages: Guangzhi, a wolf monster.
Guangzhi has become a fan-favorite for his role in aiding players during challenging boss battles. With his powerful transformation spell and formidable attacks, he often turns the tide in the heat of combat. The phrase “Guangzhi, save me!” has become a popular meme among the gaming community, reflecting his endearing presence.
However, there’s an intriguing twist. In the original Journey to the West novel, Guangzhi is depicted as a villain who attempts to kill both Sun Wukong and his master Tang Sanzang. This stark contrast between his roles raises fascinating questions about character interpretation and storytelling in modern adaptations.
To explore this compelling transformation, Bilibili influencer Wang Hongzhi, a professor from Shanghai Normal University, delves deep into the character’s evolution in the latest episode of SPARK. The episode offers insightful comparisons between the game’s portrayal of Guangzhi and his original depiction in the classic novel.
SPARK is a groundbreaking educational series that weaves together Science, Philosophy, Art, Research, and Knowledge into engaging digital content. By transforming complex academic insights into accessible learning experiences, SPARK creates an inclusive intellectual space where curious minds from all walks of life can explore, learn, and grow together.
Reference(s):
SPARK: Understanding Guangzhi's transformation from foe to friend
cgtn.com
