So here’s a game, Monkey King: Hero Is Back based on a movie based on Journey to the West, and it is coming to the West. How funny.

The situation is that complicated – Journey to the West, written by Wu Cheng’en, is widely popular in China, and it received a cinematic action-fantasy adaptation in 2015, which in turn was used for the game which is already available over there. Now, Oasis Games‘ work will be brought over to North America and Europe by Sony Interactive Entertainment and THQ Nordic (the publisher – we no longer have to differentiate the Austrian publisher from the Swedish parent company, as the latter announced that from September 17, they will be called Embracer Group AB!).

„The game is based on the thrilling Chinese action fantasy movie Monkey King: Hero is Back that was released in theatres in 2015 and tells the story of a young boy named Liuer and his adventures with the Monkey King, Sun Wukong, who is released after having been imprisoned for 500 years. Known by movie fans worldwide as one of the premier examples of Chinese animation, the movie went on to set a box office record for animated movies in China at the time, grossing more than €160 million upon its release. With Monkey King: Hero is Back for PlayStation 4, Sony Interactive Entertainment has teamed up with Oct Animation Studio, the studio behind the movie’s breathtaking visuals, to create a game faithful to the look and feel of the movie.

Like the movie, this action-adventure game tells the story of the young monk Liuer meeting his hero Sun Wukong but places the focus on the Monkey King himself while also introducing players to various stories and subplots not found in the movie. Together, Sun Wukong, Liuer, and Pigsy embark on a journey of adventure, while deepening the bonds of friendship between them. Players assume the role of Sun Wukong and use his mystical skills and abilities to defeat the assorted foes before them. The game immerses players in the middle of their tale of adventure, while also enabling them to experience the rich and deep story the beloved movie is known for.

The Monkey King: Hero is Back Hero Edition features the main game plus the season pass, consisting of two additional stories available as DLC (“Uproar in Heaven” and “Mind Palace”), two in-game costumes for the protagonist (Tuxedo and the Dasheng Doll), as well as special items that can be utilized within the game. The pre-orders for both editions on PlayStation 4 will begin on August 14, 2019. Additionally, the PlayStation 4 versions will feature a special bonus for those who pre-order the game: two exclusive game modes (“Paradise” and “Desperation”), and a PlayStation 4 theme,” THQ Nordic’s press release says.

On PlayStation 4, THQ Nordic will distribute the standard physical and digital editions (price: 40 USD, 40 EUR, 35 GBP), as well as the digital-only Hero Edition (65 USD, 65 EUR, 60 GBP), and pre-ordering is already available. On PC, THQ Nordic will distribute the standard physical edition for (30 USD, 30 EUR, 27 GBP), while Oasis Games will distribute the standard digital edition (35 USD, 35 EUR, 30 GBP) and digital deluxe edition for (60 USD, 60 EUR, 57 GBP) – the physical pre-orders are available now, and digital pre-orders will begin on August 18.

Monkey King: Hero Is Back will launch on October 17 on PlayStation 4 and PC. A Chinese game in the West.

Source: Gematsu