Introduction
Black Myth: Wukong, developed by Game Science, has been one of the most anticipated and visually striking action-RPGs in recent memory. When it first launched, its blend of Chinese mythology, sleek combat, and Unreal Engine 5-powered visuals won praise across the gaming community. Wikipedia+1
However, as with many live-service-style games or titles that continue to receive major updates, technical challenges are inevitable. The latest update for the PS5 version of Black Myth: Wukong is particularly bold — it’s so substantial that a full reinstall may be required for many players. In this article, we’ll dive into what this update changes, why such a drastic step might be needed, community reactions, and how it compares to previous patches.
What’s New? Patch Overview & Basic Info
Here’s a quick breakdown of the key facts about this massive update:
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Update Version | 1.0.20.21756 RPG Site+2NeoGAF+2 |
| Release Date | October 13, 2025 RPG Site+2Push Square+2 |
| Affected Platform | PS5 (other platforms to follow) RPG Site+2Push Square+2 |
| Patch Size | ~ 93.5 GB required for PS5 RPG Site+3GamerBraves+3ComicBook.com+3 |
| Key Changes / Improvements | Performance optimizations, bug fixes, lighting / texture updates, adjustments to performance mode, load time improvements ComicBook.com+4RPG Site+4Push Square+4 |
| Reinstall Requirement | Due to underlying file system and storage changes, many users may have to uninstall + redownload the game RPG Site+3GamerBraves+3Push Square+3 |
| Mod / Compatibility Warning | Mods may break. Verify file integrity, remove mods before updating. RPG Site+1 |
Why Is a Full Reinstall Potentially Required?
For most updates, patches only replace or modify portions of the game. But this update for Black Myth: Wukong is different — it involves deep changes in how the game handles file storage, textures, shaders, and performance modes. Because of these internal modifications, the patch may conflict with older data or dependencies. In simpler terms: the “scaffolding” of the original install is being rebuilt.
Game Science itself has warned that the update requires approximately 93.5 GB on PS5 due to how files must be rearranged. GamerBraves+2Push Square+2 If the patch cannot be applied cleanly (due to insufficient storage, corrupted files, or interfering mods), users may have no choice but to delete the game entirely and reinstall it. GamerBraves+1
This is especially true for those who have used mods or custom content: these often rely on legacy file structures that will conflict with the updated architecture. The developers explicitly advise uninstalling mods and verifying file integrity before attempting the update. RPG Site+1
While this sounds drastic, it’s worth noting that sometimes a clean reinstall can resolve lingering performance issues, corrupted assets, or compatibility conflicts that older incremental patches could not fully fix.
Detailed Breakdown of Improvements & Fixes
This update does more than just change how files are stored. Some of the headline improvements include:
Performance Mode Revisions (PS5)
One of the biggest tweaks is in the performance mode. The developers adjusted the mode back to 60 Hz to reduce input latency and achieve more stable resolution and frame pacing. Push Square+2NeoGAF+2 The legacy performance mode is still available, but rebranded as “Performance Mode (Legacy).” Push Square+1 Lighting quality was also tuned to better balance visual fidelity and smoothness. Push Square
Texture / Visual Enhancements
Texture clarity and visual fidelity in certain scenes have been improved. Some changes fix ghosting, flickering edges, and issues in global illumination at lower settings. ComicBook.com+2Push Square+2 Texture loading and detail quality have also received attention to reduce visual anomalies. GamerBraves+1
Load Time & Stability
Multiple stability improvements, crash fixes, and better memory usage optimizations are part of this update. RPG Site+2Push Square+2 The reading times, loading screens, and transitions are also smoother. RPG Site
Gameplay & UI Adjustments
Minor interface changes, such as better readability of “Cleared” labels in the “Load Journey” screen, improved interaction flows, and adjustments in how some menus display. RPG Site Boss fights against Yaoguai King “Giant Shigandang” see tweaks in combat behavior. RPG Site
Localization / Miscellany
Czech language support is added, and some translations and UI text consistency fixes are rolled out. RPG Site
Community Reaction & Concerns
Player sentiment is mixed, understandably so. The idea of needing to reinstall a large game for a patch can feel daunting, especially for users with slower internet or limited storage space. On Reddit, players noted:
“The patch on PS5 will require 93.5 GB for file storage change.” Reddit
Some reactions highlight frustration with the size of the update, while others express optimism about the performance improvements. At least one commenter speculated whether the lighting adjustments in performance mode might compromise visual depth. ComicBook.com
In forums like NeoGAF, the update has been discussed in technical detail, with users analyzing trade-offs between visual fidelity and performance. NeoGAF
From a developer’s perspective, releasing such a major patch is a bold move — it’s a wager that the improvements will outweigh the inconvenience. For many players, the improved stability and smoother performance may justify the effort.
How to Prepare & What You Should Do
If you play Black Myth: Wukong on PS5, here’s how to be ready:
- Free up ample storage. You’ll need at least 90+ GB free just to accommodate the patch and temporary files.
- Uninstall mods or custom content. Mods may cause conflicts or break the game after the update.
- Backup your saves. Just in case something goes wrong during reinstall, keep a safe copy.
- Verify file integrity (if possible). This helps catch corrupted files before patching.
- Consider waiting a bit. If you have limited bandwidth or storage, let early adopters test the patch first and report issues.
- Be patient during shader compilation. Crashes or stutters during this step may occur — relaunching the game might help. RPG Site
If the patch fails midway or you see errors, your fallback is a full uninstall and redownload — time-consuming, yes, but sometimes necessary to fully integrate the new structure.
Historical Context: Why Some Games Do Full Reinstalls
Requiring a full reinstall isn’t unprecedented in the gaming world. Sometimes, a major engine overhaul, file format change, or restructuring of asset dependencies prompts developers to rebuild from the ground up. Incremental patches can’t always resolve deep-rooted conflicts or legacy inefficiencies.
In the case of Black Myth: Wukong, the jump from earlier builds to this updated architecture seems to have triggered just such a junction point. The developer is effectively “resetting” part of the game’s internal framework to address long-term issues — at the expense of short-term inconvenience.
Pros & Cons of This Strategy
Pros
- Deeper technical fixes become possible
- Cleaner internal file structure, less “patch debt”
- Improved performance, reduced bugs, better loading times
- May remove cruft or bloat built up over multiple patches
Cons
- Large data download / bandwidth burden
- Time consuming to reinstall
- Risk of errors during patch or data corruption
- Potential frustration for players with limited storage
Final Thoughts
This latest update to Black Myth: Wukong is ambitious — a high-stakes technical overhaul that aims to deliver a smoother, more stable experience on PS5. For those willing to take the plunge, the rewards could be significant: improved performance, fewer bugs, better visuals, and a more polished end product.
That said, it’s not without risks or obstacles. The requirement to possibly reinstall the entire game is daunting, especially for players with bandwidth constraints or limited storage. Still, if Game Science has done their homework, the end result might well justify the effort. The decision to implement such sweeping changes suggests confidence in the long-term health of the game.
If you’re a fan or curious about the game’s evolution, keep an eye on user reports, patch feedback, and whether subsequent updates smooth over any teething problems. The next few days or weeks will be crucial — and the 93.5 GB patch may mark a turning point for Black Myth: Wukong’s performance on PS5.
