Any playthrough of Black Myth: Wukong will be filled to the brim with memorable boss fights, but it's possible to make it to the credits without encountering many of the encounters that the game has to offer. Hidden bosses strewn throughout the game can be found by exploring side areas or completing convoluted tasks, and they tend to be just as good as the ones that can't be missed.

Seeking out every hidden boss definitely isn't necessary, but a number provide significant perks that shouldn't be ed up. They also tend to be just as fun and challenging as main story bosses, so some would be worth fighting even without rewards. Whether they drop items that make the hardest main story boss fights easier or reveal fascinating lore, the most important hidden boss fights make the entire Black Myth: Wukong experience better.

10 Elder Jinchi Is The First Critical Hidden Boss

The first true secret area of Black Myth: Wukong can be found in Chapter One, and it's consequently simpler to access than a lot of later hidden locations. Ringing a few bells found throughout the chapter will do the trick, opening the way to the Ancient Guanyin Temple. It's important to fight the Wandering Wight first, as beating Elder Jinchi removes this other optional boss.

The oversized head of Elder Jinchi might scare some who have already suffered through the Wandering Wight fight, but it can actually be a little more manageable now that the Destined One has more experience in combat. Defeating Elder Jinchi bestows the Fireproof Mantle upon the Destined One, which is especially effective against Chapter One's final boss, setting up a pattern for why hidden areas are worth seeking out each chapter.

9 The Giant Shigandang Offers Stat Boosts

The Giant Shigandang can't be found until the final chapter of Black Myth: Wukong, and fighting it requires first finding four Skandhas, one of which can only be acquired through a fight with a much smaller Shigandang opponent in Chapter Two. The Chapter Two fight itself requires the Destined One to find six Buddha eyes and bring them to the right place, although the eyes are fairly simple to acquire.

Fighting the Giant Shigandang rewards the Destined One with the Skandha of Consciousness. Returning to the Xu Dog with all Skandhas will grant the Destined One the Five Skandhas Pill, which permanently increases health, mana, and stamina. It may not be a radical new ability, but it's certainly a useful buff across the board.

8 Fuban Is Integral To Chapter Two

Chapter Two's secret area in Black Myth: Wukong plays around a bit with time, sending the Destined One to a point in time before the current story to participate in a key event that leads to the current dominion of the Yellow Wind Sage over the Yellow Wind Ridge. It's a fairly small area, mostly focusing on a boss fight with the giant burrowing insectoid called Fuban.

On death, Fuban drops some materials and recipes for crafting a staff and outfit, but the more significant reward is the Wind Tamer vessel that can temporarily increase the Destined One's damage reduction. It also counters winds in a way that's especially effective against the final boss of Chapter Two, a fight that can trip up even those who haven't been struggling too much up to this point in the game.

7 The Green-Capped Martialist Has A Unique Reward

The Green-Capped Martialist's main reward isn't exactly a shutdown counter to the Chapter Three final boss in the way that some other secret boss rewards are, but it's still quite effective against him. Defeating this opponent grants the Destined One the Spell Binder, which cuts off the Destined One's access to magical abilities in exchange for a straight buff to staff attacks.

Anyone who would prefer to take a fully martial approach to Black Myth: Wukong definitely needs to fight the Green-Capped Martialist, but considering how many bosses in the latter half of the game prove resilient to certain aspects of the Destined One's magical toolkit, this fight could be useful for anyone. Unlocking the fight requires the Destined One to repeatedly talk to the treasure hunter found in Chapter Three in a couple of different locations.

6 The Yin Tiger Is A Friendly Rival

Unlike most of the hidden bosses in Black Myth: Wukong, the Yin Tiger is actually an ally that can be found in the secret Zodiac Village area. Visiting the Yin Tiger is generally useful for upgrading outfits, but challenging him to a fight also reaps unique rewards. The Ebon Flow spell transformation is a great option in combat, and a third curio slot offers a versatile option for general benefits.

The Yin Tiger is also one of the hardest fights in the game if the Destined One challenges him at the first opportunity. As tempting as the rewards are, it's fine to wait and tackle the Yin Tiger later on, but it's something that should definitely be done eventually. Beating him doesn't actually kill him, so there's no cause for concern regarding access to the gear upgrades he offers.

5 The Apramana Bat Can Be Missed Entirely

The rewards for fighting the Apramana Bat aren't as significant as some other hidden bosses in Black Myth: Wukong that shouldn't be missed, but there's still a very good reason not to miss this one. Unlike most hidden bosses, it's impossible to go back and fight Apramana Bat after progressing further in the game, so anyone who wants to take on this extra challenge needs to keep a vigilant eye out in the Bitter Lake area of Chapter Three.

As far as rewards go, the most significant perk received for completing this fight is the Apramana Bat spirit, which will be added to the Destined One's kit at the end of Chapter Three. It also drops some crafting materials and Will. It's an intense fight, but the Apramana Bat doesn't have as much health as many Black Myth: Wukong bosses, so it's definitely manageable.

4 Captain Lotus-Vision Leads To A Cool Weapon

Captain Lotus-Vision isn't one of the most well-hidden bosses in Black Myth: Wukong, as the Destined One can encounter the fight simply by jumping down a particular ledge in the Pagoda Realm area of Chapter Three. The rewards dropped on Captain Lotus-Vision's death aren't exactly game-changing, even if a Curio that increases chill resistance is nice, but defeating him is integral to a more significant side quest in the area.

Beating Captain-Lotus Vision unlocks the doos to a number of Pagoda Realm cells, including one where the Third Prince is located. After killing two other main story captains and finding the corpse of a third, returning to the Third Prince grants a crafting recipe for the Chu-Bai Spear, which actually moves differently from the standard staffs available in Black Myth: Wukong.

3 The Duskveil Helps With A Punishing Fight

The Duskveil can be found at the end of Chapter Four's secret area in Black Myth: Wukong, and it's definitely worth taking on this challenge. Defeating the Duskveil gives the Destined One the Weaver's Needle, a special vessel that can be useful in other boss fights. Most notably, it shuts down the worst aspects of the Chapter Four final boss's last phase, which is arguably the toughest challenge in the game up to that point.

Interestingly, leaving the Scorpionlord found in the same secret area alive will result in an ally for the first run of the Duskveil fight, but it's manageable even without that boost. If the Destined One does want to fight the Scorpionlord or the other area boss Daoist Mi, these bosses need to be done before the Duskveil. Fighting the Duskveil also provides a special crafting item called the Duskveil's Horn, used to create armor.

2 The Yellow Loong Is A Memorable Foe

Some of the most interesting hidden boss fights in Black Myth: Wukong are the Loongs of various colors, with the Red Loong, Black Loong, and Cyan Loong being found in the first three chapters of the game. After defeating them, the Destined One can challenge the Yellow Loong in Chapter Four, although this particular foe isn't for the faint of the heart.

The biggest reason to fight the Yellow Loong is arguably for the bragging rights, as it's unquestionably one of the toughest challenges in Black Myth: Wukong. Defeating him definitely comes with tangible benefits, however. The craftable Golden Loong staff powers up Pillar Stance moves, and the Golden Lining transformation lets the Destined One use the Yellow Loong's powerful moveset in combat.

1 Erlang Shen Unlocks The True Ending

Erlang Shen is the ultimate hidden boss in Black Myth: Wukong, and triumphing over this incredibly intense challenge truly proves the Destined One's worth. As the first opponent to give Sun Wukong trouble in Journey to the West, this combatant is no slouch. Even accessing the Erlang Shen fight is no easy task, requiring completion of the game's primary secret areas in advance.

Conquering over Erlang Shen, however, will reward the Destined One with the secret ending of the game, complete with its own unique animated cutscene. It also unlocks the Tri-Point Double-Edged Spear, a unique weapon that's definitely worth having. Considering the intense difficulty, these benefits might not be worth it to every player, but Erlang Shen is a Black Myth: Wukong hidden boss that should be on everyone's radar.

Editor's Note: The studio behind Black Myth: Wukong, GameScience, has previously been accused of fostering a toxic environment for its workers. The 2023 allegations include sexualized comments against women, misogyny, fatphobia, and more. More details can be found here.