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Overview

Black Myth: Zhong Kui runs on Unreal Engine 5, the same engine used for Black Myth: Wukong. Game Science has stated the game will feature new visual technology and improvements over their previous title, though specific technical details have not been shared.

What Wukong demonstrated

Black Myth: Wukong was one of the more technically impressive UE5 titles at its launch in 2024. It used Nanite for detailed geometry, Lumen for global illumination, and featured dense, highly detailed environments with complex particle effects. The game ran at high visual fidelity on both PC and PlayStation 5, though it demanded significant hardware.

Improvements in Zhong Kui

The Chinese New Year 2026 in-engine video provided the best look at Zhong Kui's technical capabilities so far. The six-minute video showed:

• Fluid physics — Detailed liquid simulation during cooking sequences, with realistic viscosity and splashing.

• Particle effects — Dust, chopped leaves, and ambient particles rendered with high density and physical accuracy.

• Material rendering — Varied surfaces (metal, fabric, wood, organic tissue) with distinct material properties and light interaction.

• Creature design — Complex mythological creatures with detailed textures and animations.

• Fur rendering — The Gamescom trailer's tiger mount had wet, matted fur with individual strand detail, suggesting advances in hair/fur technology.

Dynamic lighting

Both trailers emphasized atmospheric lighting — the rain-soaked town in the Gamescom teaser and the firelit feast in the New Year video. Game Science appears to be pushing UE5's dynamic lighting further than they did in Wukong, with more complex light sources and environmental interaction.

Feng Ji's promise of "new technology" alongside new gameplay suggests the team is not just reusing their Wukong tech pipeline but actively developing new rendering and simulation features for Zhong Kui.