Yes, and I think so for unpopular reasons.
I’m the rare person that finds anything “Souls-like” insufferable and annoying. I avoid those games because they’re built on frustration and anger-inducing difficulty spikes. This game is not those things but the internet not stop saying it’s a Souls-like. That’s because Souls fans thinks Souls games are a positive comparison when it simply turns off most gamers outside that fandom.
The Souls comparison was the reason I almost never touched Black Myth.
Then I tried it on a friend’s console and my mind changed.
Black Myth has a story. Not something you have to create in your head (cough, Elden Ring) based on environmental clues but an actual story based on Chinese myths and folk tales.
It drives you. It motivates you. You want to keep playing to see the next thing. The environment and the enemies and the fighting styles and the character you play drip atmosphere and mystery and substance and style.
The place where this game shines is where most games in a similar genre falter. It keeps the power fantasy intact.
There is difficulty to be had but not once was it unfair or anger-inducing. A boss defeating you is a lesson to move on and come back. The movements aren’t you just rolling around and hoping you don’t get hit like another annoying series I won’t mention again.
In this game you are the threat. You are the one with the power. If you can’t beat someone come back because not too further up you’ll discover the power or skill to come back and destroy that enemy.
Fun. This game is fun. Gamers like fun, yes?