Chinese developer Game Science has surprised fans with the first official gameplay preview of its upcoming action RPG, Black Myth: Zhong Kui. The second entry in the Black Myth series, the game is currently in development for PC and current-generation consoles, although Game Science has yet to announce a release date.

Following the success of 2024's Black Myth: Wukong, the upcoming game will once again draw inspiration from Chinese mythology and folklore. This time, however, the focus shifts toward Zhong Kui, a legendary Taoist deity known for hunting and commanding demons. While Game Science has confirmed that Black Myth: Zhong Kui will not directly continue the story of Wukong, the developer has previously teased that Sun Wukong's story within the broader Black Myth universe is not finished.

After teasing the game with a six-minute Lunar New Year video earlier this year, Game Science has now provided a much more substantial look at the project. The 15-minute gameplay trailer introduces the game's unnamed protagonist, a swordsman dressed in a white tunic who travels alongside an elderly man. Early footage shows the pair constructing a raft before setting out across the sea, with the trailer later shifting toward the game's combat and exploration.

The mysterious old man also appears to play an important role in the game's story. During one sequence, he seemingly dissolves into several sheets of paper, which the protagonist then follows. The gameplay footage subsequently showcases the protagonist battling various enemies with his sword, alongside familiar action RPG mechanics such as dodging and healing with a flask.

One of the more interesting mechanics shown is the protagonist's ability to summon entities to fight alongside him. At one point, he appears to merge with a summoned creature, giving him additional power during a battle against a massive boss. The trailer also included several cinematic sequences before ending with a brief glimpse of Zhong Kui himself overlooking a town from a distance.

Although the footage provides the most substantial look at Black Myth: Zhong Kui so far, Game Science has emphasized that the game is still in development. The trailer was captured from an early build and presented in a 21:9 aspect ratio, meaning some of the visuals and gameplay shown could change before launch.

The footage comes roughly a year after Black Myth: Zhong Kui was first revealed during the 2025 Gamescom Opening Night Live presentation. It remains unclear whether Game Science will showcase the game again during Gamescom 2026 later this month.

Game Science has also previously stated that generative AI would not be used during the game's initial design and asset-development phases. According to co-founder Yang Qi, the team drew inspiration from Christopher Nolan's latest film, The Odyssey, during development.

For now, fans will have to wait for Game Science to reveal more information about Black Myth: Zhong Kui, including its release date. The first gameplay showcase nevertheless gives players a much clearer idea of what the studio is building for its second major entry in the Black Myth franchise.