The splashy new action RPG Black Myth: Wukong has been making waves in the gaming industry since its launch on August 20th, quickly becoming the second most played game on a major online platform. Interestingly enough, nearly 90% of these players are based in China.

With a staggering 2.1 million active players, Black Myth: Wukong is appealing to a wide range of players. According to developer Game Science (founded by former Tencent employee Feng Ji), 88.1% of Black Myth: Wukong’s players come from China. While the game’s success in a single market isn’t something you hear about every day, there’s a fantastic (fairytale) explanation behind it.

The lore of the game Black Myth: Wukong is inspired by one of the best classical Chinese novels, which further explains its popularity among local players. The richly detailed and vivid fantasy world is based on ancient Chinese folklore, specifically the 16th century novel Journey to the West. While references to ancient Chinese folklore and traditions certainly resonate with Chinese players, that is certainly not the only reason. The main reason is simple: the game is awesome!

With reputable outlets giving the game perfect review scores, Black Myth: Wukong’s popularity is set to grow in China and worldwide. As Black Myth: Wukong’s sales exceed expectations, we can expect Black Myth: Wukong’s player base to catch up with more international players. I’m sure millions of gamers are excited to play as tough monkeys and take on enemies with a staff. I know I am. That said, I know it won’t be easy to complete the game, as it has very challenging boss battles.