Dynasty Warriors: Origins Redefines a Longstanding Series

For me, Dynasty Warriors feels like a dependable favorite in the gaming world. Omega Force has been telling this sweeping kingdom-spanning saga over and over again, always trying to elevate their “1v1000” battles. I stumbled across this series with Dynasty Warriors 2, and over the past 25 years, I found myself revisiting its vast array of characters and their epic storylines. Naturally, I’ve formed connections with a few favorites over the years, hello Guan Yu!

So, when I dove into the 10th mainline release, I was genuinely intrigued. Dynasty Warriors: Origins pretty much tells you what it’s aiming for in the title. It’s about revisiting the essence of this franchise, going back to the roots. This isn’t just another step in the series’ evolution but a true re-imagining beyond the gradual changes we’ve grown accustomed to.

Origins brings a sharper narrative focus, covering only the initial half of the tale we’ve come to know but with significantly more depth. Traditionally, a Dynasty Warriors game kicks off with quelling the Yellow Turban Rebellion, setting the events of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms—a mix of history and myth in ancient Chinese lore—into motion. In Origins, we see the Yellow Turbans’ rise, their fall from grace, and eventual downfall. Essentially, it’s the backstory to the series’ classic beginning.

One striking new element is our introduction to a fresh protagonist. This character starts with a blank slate—an amnesiac wandering warrior, whose past is gradually unveiled throughout the game. This gives a personal flair to Dynasty Warriors: Origins. Unlike previous entries where you could choose from numerous officers, now you’re journeying through this tale with one primary character, eventually meeting iconic figures along the way—some of whom you might even play as.

This bold move challenges the series to evolve and captures a new vibe. Dynasty Warriors 9’s open-world approach is benched for now, but focusing on a single lead paves the way for a more dynamic Story Mode. This time, instead of hopping from one battle to the next with cinematic breaks, you get an overworld to explore between levels. Here, you can uncover secrets, tweak your gear, build relationships with officers, and engage in skirmishes to bolster your skills.

Combat in Dynasty Warriors is getting its own makeover too. You’ll find the beloved hack ‘n’ slash core, but with added sophistication. Mastery in blocking, parrying, and evading becomes crucial against tougher foes. Puzzle-like elements spice up select encounters, and customizable Battle Arts give you the chance to refine your combat strategy with different weapons.

This installment doesn’t just remodel for change’s sake; it strides forward with confidence. While it maintains that 2nd-Century superhero sensation, the extra nuance in confrontations brings a refreshing shift.

Balancing comfort and novelty typifies Origins’ philosophy—still unmistakably Dynasty Warriors, but with innovative twists to its well-trodden path. In simpler terms—it’s like returning to a beloved dish, now with surprising new flavors.