Dynasty Warriors has been like a beloved tradition for me. Omega Force’s epic saga keeps revisiting the same sweeping stories with every entry, consistently delivering that thrilling “1v1000” combat experience. I first discovered this captivating world with Dynasty Warriors 2, and it’s been a 25-year-long adventure filled with familiar faces and cherished characters like Guan Yu, who has become a personal favorite after countless hours alongside them.
Approaching the 10th main installment of the series, I was both excited and intrigued. The name says it all—Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a return to roots, but it’s redefining the formula more profoundly than the routine tweaks fans have grown accustomed to.
From the outset, Origins offers a richer, more concentrated narrative. Instead of covering the entire saga we’re familiar with, it delves deeply into just the first half. Typically, Dynasty Warriors starts its tales with the Yellow Turban Rebellion, kicking off the semi-mythical Romance of the Three Kingdoms. But here, the prologue goes further back, showing how the Yellow Turbans rose, strayed into corruption, and eventually fell. It’s an origin story for the original origin story.
We also meet a fresh lead character, whose name is yours to choose. This amnesiac warrior, whose history unfolds as the game progresses, becomes the main focus of your journey. This marks a significant shift; instead of choosing from dozens of officers, you’re guiding one character through a narrative that introduces familiar faces, some of which you’ll control as you progress.
This bold step of narrowing your focus seems to be a deliberate attempt to shake up the norm, giving the game a distinctively different vibe. Moving away from Dynasty Warriors 9’s open world, this single-character system allows the developers to craft a more intricate Story Mode. Now, between major battles, you’re free to wander the overworld, uncover secrets, customize your loadout, forge friendships with officers, and engage in skirmishes to power up.
Combat has been given a fresh dose of complexity, much to my (and likely other fans’) delight. While it maintains the classic hack-and-slash core, there’s now a greater emphasis on strategy. Blocking, parrying, and dodging are crucial against bosses. Even individual battles now have puzzle elements and customizable Battle Art special abilities, giving you plenty of ways to adjust your tactics across different weapons.
This doesn’t feel like change for the sake of it; it’s a confident stride forward. I’m reminded of those classic superhero moments, yet the added strategic depth elevates each encounter, making them stand out.
Balancing the familiar with fresh innovations is what defines Origins. This gives it that classic Dynasty Warriors essence but with inventive twists incorporated into its framework. In a sense, it’s like savoring my favorite comfort food, but with some exciting new spices.
