Black Myth: Wukong’s Low Completion Rate Claims Spark Online Ridicule

CNBC AI News, August 22nd – Game Science is once again generating significant buzz following the release of the initial trailer for “Black Myth: Zhong Kui.” The studio’s previous title, “Black Myth: Wukong,” proved a viral sensation. Consequently, some media outlets, eager to capitalize on this momentum, attempted to ride the coattails of the game’s popularity. However, their coverage has largely backfired, becoming a source of amusement for online communities.

A recent media piece sparked controversy by framing a supposed “low completion rate” for “Black Myth: Wukong” as a negative. The article stated (hypothetically, referencing a game that isn’t yet released):

According to Steam achievement data (for the sake of example), 46.5% of Steam players who own “Black Myth: Wukong” have unlocked the “万相归真七十二难” achievement, indicating they completed the main story. Only 12.5% have achieved 100% completion, earning the “全始全终八十一难” achievement.

This interpretation, however, demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of video game completion rates. As one blogger aptly put it: “This is what happens when editors operate in air-conditioned offices… couldn’t they have consulted a few gamers before publishing this?” Others simply labeled the reporting as “intellectually bankrupt.

Within the gaming industry, a 50% completion rate is generally considered above average. This suggests the game avoids common pitfalls that lead players to quit, such as excessive difficulty (resulting in frequent roadblocks) or a sluggish pace (due to overly long side quests or repetitive tasks). A respectable completion rate indicates that the core gameplay experience is generally accessible and enjoyable for a majority of players.

In traditional AAA single-player titles, a 50% completion rate is within the expected range, signifying that most players are able to finish the game, with only a minority dropping out due to time constraints or difficulty.

For context, numerous high-profile games exhibit far lower completion rates. For instance, “Elden Ring” sees completion rates of approximately 20-30%, while the notoriously challenging “Dark Souls” series often sees completion rates below 15%.