Dynasty Warriors: Origins Revolutionizes a Long-Running Series

For me, Dynasty Warriors is like indulging in a favorite comfort food. Omega Force’s enduring series consistently revisits the same grand saga across kingdoms in each of its games, always promising to deliver its signature “1v1000” combat experience with each release. I first discovered this captivating world with Dynasty Warriors 2, and throughout the past 25 years, I’ve found myself returning time and again, watching this sprawling cast of characters enact the same epic story, developing favorites along the way (a shoutout to you, Guan Yu) thanks to the time spent with them.

So, with a hint of curiosity, I began the tenth main chapter. The name itself offers a clue—Dynasty Warriors: Origins aims to strip things down to the essentials, venturing beyond the marginal tweaks fans have come to expect with each new installment of the series.

In this fresh take, we see a more immersive narrative unfold—one that meticulously covers only the first half of the legendary tale we’re all familiar with. It dives deeper into the action and starts with players dismantling the Yellow Turban Rebellion. This significant battle sets into motion the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the partly mythical historical chronicle of ancient China from which these games draw inspiration. However, Origins takes us even further back, illustrating how the Yellow Turbans came into being, witnessed their corruption, and ultimately fell. It’s an origin story for what has traditionally been the series’ origin story.

Adding an intriguing twist, we’re introduced to a fresh protagonist who, much like us, is unnamed; an amnesiac wanderer whose history unveils itself as you play. Through this new lens, players primarily experience the game, marking a significant departure from the series’ norm. Instead of selecting from numerous officers from various factions, you guide this singular character through a narrative that introduces you to familiar faces (some of whom you’ll get to control as the journey progresses).

This bold decision shakes things up significantly, and for a game looking to reinvent itself, it brings a distinctly fresh vibe to the proceedings. Stepping away from the open-world setup of 2018’s Dynasty Warriors 9, focusing on a principal character gives developers the opportunity to design a more flexible Story Mode. Instead of merely moving from one battle to another punctuated by cutscenes, you now explore an overworld between major levels. This allows you to uncover secrets, adjust your equipment, connect with officers, and engage in skirmishes to level up.

All these changes highlight a renewed emphasis on altering combat dynamics in Dynasty Warriors. Fans will be glad to hear the iconic hack-and-slash essence remains intact, but there’s more finesse involved now. You’ll find blocking, parrying, and dodging essential when confronting enemy bosses. Certain battles have been infused with puzzle-like elements, and customizable Battle Art abilities enable you to adjust your playstyle for every weapon type.

This doesn’t feel like change for the sake of change, but rather a confident leap forward. I still relish the sensation of being a second-century force of nature, yet the added thoughtfulness required for each one-on-one confrontation feels refreshingly different.

Ultimately, Origins achieves a delicate balance between the familiar and the innovative—remaining recognizably Dynasty Warriors, yet thoughtfully integrating new ideas. Think of it like enjoying that comfort food with a sprinkle of new flavors.