Dynasty Warriors Origins Review

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Dynasty Warriors: Origins is often described as the tenth mainline Warriors game, however, longtime fans of the series understand that this label is overly simplistic. With numerous spin-offs such as those based on IP like Zelda and Persona, not forgetting the Dynasty Warriors Empires games, the expanding Musou genre has grown to become quite complex for newcomers due to its decades of mechanical advancement and innovation. Positioned against this illustrious heritage, Origins may not be the most innovative, comprehensive, or feature-rich Warriors game, but it might just be the best one out there.

Following the effort to transform the “Dynasty Warriors 9” franchise into an open-world RPG, the developers at Omega Force faced a crucial choice: persist with this direction or revert back to the original Warriors style, emphasizing the series’ core competencies. “Dynasty Warriors: Origins” represents a blend of these options; it retains several action-RPG elements from later releases but is also noticeably simpler than long-time players might anticipate. The game lacks multiplayer or additional game modes, features only one playable character (in essence), and has largely forsaken trends such as crafting and resource management.

Due to its unique blend of hack-and-slash action and strategy, Dynasty Warriors Origins might receive a mix of opinions. While it excellently encapsulates what makes the musuo genre effective, some players may find the experience monotonous if they’re looking for more diversity. Nonetheless, for newcomers to the series or fans willing to be open-minded, Dynasty Warriors: Origins is likely to be a strong candidate among January’s top games.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins Is an Almost Perfect Action-Strategy Concoction

In contrast to the frequent criticism that “Dynasty Warriors” and similar genres like musuo are mindless, repetitive, and lacking in depth, the game “Origins ” stands out as a noteworthy counterpoint. Although it may not be recognized for its mechanical intricacy, it offers a level of complexity and versatility that is seldom found within the series, making it a refreshing take on the genre.

In essence, the gameplay of Dynasty Warriors: Origins combines elements from both traditional Dynasty Warriors and Dynasty Warriors Empires. Like in earlier versions, there’s the intense 1 vs. 1,000 gameplay, but this time around, strategy and tactics become key factors, particularly on higher levels of difficulty. Managing enemy movement is crucial as it determines whether troops are cut off and bases captured, which significantly influence the course of battle. This strategic approach can lead to thrilling victories from seemingly impossible situations, a sensation rarely found in other action games.

The game’s moral system plays a crucial role in shaping the outcome of significant battles, as it has the power to transform their course. Capturing bases, outsmarting enemy commanders, and employing strategic maneuvers boost the morale of your allies, making them more effective on the battlefield. On the other hand, actions such as defeating allied leaders and recapturing bases can lower morale. This creates a tense, unpredictable atmosphere while introducing intricate layers to the player’s choices. For example, if morale is low but the main objective of the battle is near, the player must decide whether to press on with their strategy, potentially risking the life of the player-character or an essential officer, or they can lighten the battle’s intensity by completing secondary objectives, thus raising morale. During tougher battles, particularly those where the fate of multiple characters hangs in the balance, the moral system ensures that the gameplay remains engaging, complex, and adaptable.

If you’re a fan of action-RPGs but haven’t enjoyed Musou games previously, I’d suggest trying out “Dynasty Warriors: Origins” on Hero mode. This setting offers an optimal blend of excitement and strategic depth.

The strategic aspects are supported by the combat in “Origins,” which is widely considered the best in this series. The player seamlessly moves across the battlefield, employing powerful strikes, skillful dodges, and parries to accumulate Bravery points. These can then be utilized to launch powerful Battle Arts, draining enemy Resilience and creating chances for devastating subsequent attacks. The combat style has a resemblance to “Sekiro,” as mastering the parry system will yield significant rewards, although it’s not mandatory for success. In terms of raw swordplay, “Dynasty Warriors: Origins” represents a substantial improvement over “Dynasty Warriors 9” and offers a more enjoyable gaming experience overall.

I must give credit where it’s due – Dynasty Warriors Origins truly outdoes itself in terms of technical prowess. For the first time ever, the concept of one warrior against thousands has been breathtakingly brought to life. This game masterfully utilizes cutting-edge hardware to craft battlefields teeming with countless foot soldiers, as if they were endless fields just waiting for me to mow them down. The thrill of charging into these swarms on horseback, with the deafening cries of my comrades echoing around me, never fades and remains incredibly exhilarating. Dynasty Warriors Origins might not be the most visually stunning game out there, but it’s a shining testament to how technological advancements can be harnessed to realize a developer’s unique vision, rather than just for making things look better.

As a die-hard fan, I’ve got to say that when it comes to raw hack-and-slash action, Dynasty Warriors: Origins takes things to a whole new level compared to Dynasty Warriors 9. It feels like a giant leap in the right direction!

A Brief Word On Dynasty Warriors: Origins’ RPG Elements and Progression

Instead of multiple characters leading previous games in the series, the Dynasty Warriors: Origins campaign focuses on a single character. This character gains power by elevating the rank of various weapons, with a total of ten available. As each rank requires more proficiency points to unlock, it encourages players to try out new or seldom-used weapons. Essentially, the game motivates you to explore different weapon options and playstyles, making the absence of other playable characters more palatable. Additionally, as each weapon’s rank advances, fresh combos, special abilities, and Battle Arts become accessible for that weapon, addressing concerns about them feeling repetitive or lacking in depth.

In Dynasty Warriors: Origins, while there are other playable characters available, they serve more like temporary power-ups rather than distinct entities. During specific battles, players can team up with legendary figures such as Guan Yu or Xiahou Dun. Once their Musou gauge is filled, the player can momentarily control these characters, albeit for a limited time. These legacy characters possess immense power, but they share similar weaponry and abilities with your main character, which might be underwhelming because the differences aren’t noticeable or significant.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins’ Story Has Moments of Greatness, But Is Mostly a Slog

As a gamer diving into Dynasty Warriors: Origins, I’ve got to say my experience has been quite diverse. On one hand, this single-player campaign is a breath of fresh air for the series. It’s massive and exploratory, with its interactive plot giving a refreshing twist to the usual formula we’ve seen before. The presentation, too, seems to have stepped up its game compared to other titles in the series. While the cutscenes are still somewhat rigid and traditional, they feel more alive and dynamic than in Dynasty Warriors 9 where they can sometimes resemble action figures posed within a diorama. The dialogue and voice acting are generally solid, and I must admit that some of the pre-rendered cutscenes have left me speechless with their stunning visuals.

If you find lengthy discussions boring, then playing Dynasty Warriors: Origins might feel like an ordeal. As with previous versions, players can foster relationships with non-player characters (NPCs), but unlike games such as Metaphor Refantazio, these connections aren’t bolstered by captivating side stories. Interacting with the game’s numerous NPCs is essentially conversation. They will share their lives and struggles with you, and while these instances occasionally make the characters appealing or intriguing, there’s a scarcity of emotional engagement or tension. This makes it challenging to maintain interest for extended periods.

Playing “Dynasty Warriors: Origins” to its fullest extent involves enduring numerous lengthy, insignificant discussions. If you’re already knowledgeable about the Three Kingdoms Era, either through historical facts, literature, or previous “Dynasty Warriors” games, the story of “Origins” may not significantly enhance your understanding or appreciation of it. However, if you’re not well-versed in this period of Chinese history, you might find the narrative’s emotional core somewhat hard to grasp.

Additionally, the character in question is a speechless, amnesiac hero, not particularly captivating like a bag of flour. The plot mainly revolves around him discovering his past as a Peace Guardian, and I must admit that some unexpected developments were intriguing. However, a more defined protagonist, perhaps one with a voice, might have made the story’s emotional impact more potent.

The main issues with Dynasty Warriors: Origins are its simple narrative and limited number of playable characters. However, it stands out as the most refined, enjoyable, and advanced game in the series yet, making it an appealing choice for fans who are open to new features such as the parry system and a single main character. Even if you haven’t been a fan of Dynasty Warriors previously, Dynasty Warriors: Origins could be the game that changes your mind.

On December 17, 2025, the game titled “Dynasty Warriors: Origins” will be made available to play on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. In writing this review, I had the privilege of using a PS5 code provided by Game Rant.

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2025-01-13 14:07