Monkey King: Hero is Back is an action RPG adventure game set in the world of Chinese mythology. Players take on the role of Sun Wukong, the Great Sage, who teams up with a young boy named Liuer after escaping imprisonment. The story expands on the 2015 animated film with additional episodes that focus on their growing bond during a journey filled with mythical challenges.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on progressing through a series of distinct environments while engaging in close-quarters combat and light exploration. Combat relies on basic attacks like punches and kicks that build into longer combos, along with rolls for evasion and jumps for positioning. As players advance, new abilities unlock that add magical effects, increased strength, and defensive options. The magical staff serves as a primary weapon for powerful strikes, while fire projectiles provide ranged options against groups of enemies.
Levels contain hidden collectables and secrets that encourage thorough searching in lush, varied settings. Boss encounters punctuate the action with larger-scale fights that test timing and ability use. Skill progression ties into story advancement, granting access to special moves and upgrades that enhance both offense and survival. Quick-time events appear during certain counters and finishers, adding a layer of interactive timing to the kung fu sequences. Voice acting supports the narrative in multiple languages, blending movie scenes with original content.
Game Modes
The game operates entirely as a single-player experience. Progression follows a linear path through ten unique levels that mix combat arenas, exploration segments, and cinematic sequences. There are no separate competitive or cooperative modes, so the focus remains on completing the story campaign from start to finish while gathering upgrades and items along the way.
Story and Setting
The narrative picks up directly after the events of the source film, introducing fresh episodes that deepen the relationship between Sun Wukong and Liuer. Chinese mythology provides the backdrop, with environments and enemies drawn from classic legends. Players encounter a mix of familiar film moments and new sequences that expand the adventure without altering the established tone of flashy action and humor.
Is It Worth Playing?
Player feedback on the PC version shows mixed reception, with many noting its short length and straightforward structure as both strengths and limitations. The game suits those seeking a casual action-adventure title tied to the Monkey King legend, particularly younger audiences or fans of the original movie who want to experience the expanded story. Combat feels responsive in short bursts but lacks depth for players expecting complex systems. Exploration and collectables add some replay incentive within the ten levels, though the overall campaign can be completed in a single sitting for most. Availability on PC keeps it accessible for those interested in the mythology-driven action without additional commitments or ongoing updates.
