Game Science has rolled out a new update for Black Myth: Wukong on PlayStation 5, introducing significant performance changes that appear to come at the expense of visual fidelity. The patch, version 1.0.20.21756, aims to improve responsiveness and stability, yet early impressions from Digital Foundry’s analysis suggest that the PS5 version now visually resembles the Xbox edition, raising concerns among players and critics alike.
According to Digital Foundry’s Oliver, the update requires approximately 93 GB of storage on PlayStation 5, signaling substantial modifications to the game’s underlying systems. One of the main adjustments in the patch includes altering the performance mode back to 60 Hz in an effort to reduce input latency and improve resolution stability. However, these enhancements were achieved by downgrading lighting effects, specifically through the removal or alteration of Lumen global illumination, a feature that previously defined the game’s striking visual identity.
The visual downgrade is most apparent in the new performance mode, which now mirrors the Xbox Series X configuration. Digital Foundry observed that the removal of Lumen has resulted in noticeably weaker indirect lighting, softer shadows, and an overall reduction in image depth and atmosphere. Fortunately, PlayStation 5 users still have access to the legacy performance mode, which retains the original Lumen lighting and visual design, albeit with slightly lower internal resolution and increased input latency. This option allows players to experience the game’s intended artistic presentation, even if it means compromising on responsiveness.
On the Xbox side, there appear to be minimal changes. The Xbox Series X version continues to operate under the same technical configuration as before, with no mention of a legacy performance mode similar to that on PlayStation. Meanwhile, the PlayStation 5 Pro offers both the legacy and new performance modes, though their visual settings remain largely identical to the base PS5. The Pro model’s balanced and quality modes reportedly offer a smoother and more stable visual experience overall.
Performance improvements, while advertised, seem relatively minor. In testing, Digital Foundry noted only negligible gains—frame rates improved by one or two frames per second in certain areas, with occasional dips still present during scene transitions. Load times, however, have seen a modest improvement, decreasing from 18.69 seconds to 17.95 seconds on PlayStation 5. These changes suggest the update’s focus was less on optimization and more on performance consistency.
The removal of Lumen lighting remains the most divisive element of the patch. Oliver and his colleagues expressed confusion over this decision, given that Black Myth: Wukong had been marketed and praised for its Lumen-based global illumination, which played a vital role in establishing the game’s distinctive visual atmosphere. The shift to a less advanced lighting solution makes the world appear flatter and less dynamic. Compounding the issue, the Xbox version still lacks the legacy performance mode, creating inconsistency across platforms.
Black Myth: Wukong is an action role-playing game by Chinese developer Game Science, inspired by the literary classic Journey to the West. Players assume the role of the Destined One, a mythical warrior wielding the power of transformation and magic in a world steeped in Eastern legend. The game launched on PlayStation 5 and PC in August 2024, followed by its Xbox Series X|S release in August 2025.
