Dynasty Warriors: Origins Breathes New Life into a Classic Series

Dynasty Warriors has been a staple of gaming comfort for me over the years. Omega Force’s enduring series has consistently retold the epic story of the Three Kingdoms with each new entry, all centered around that unique “1v1000” combat style. Since discovering Dynasty Warriors 2, I’ve always been drawn back to see how this vast array of characters continues to play out their roles in this legendary saga—building some favorites along the way, like Guan Yu, thanks to the sheer amount of time spent with them.

Naturally, I was quite intrigued to dive into the 10th main entry. The title, Dynasty Warriors: Origins, pretty much sums it up—it’s a return to roots, aiming to reinvent rather than just tweak what we’ve seen in recent installments.

This time around, Origins offers a more detailed, focused narrative. Instead of covering the entire storyline we’re familiar with, it focuses intensely on the first half, enriching the tale in the process. The usual starting point for the series has players quelling the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the spark that ignites the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. However, Origins begins even earlier, depicting the rise, corruption, and eventual fall of the Yellow Turbans. It’s essentially an origin story for the series’ original origin tale.

Adding to the fresh take is the introduction of a new protagonist. This character, which you can name yourself, is an amnesiac wandering warrior whose past unfolds as you progress. You’ll spend most of your adventure with this figure—this marks a significant shift. While previous games let you choose from a multitude of historical officers from various factions, here you’ll guide this singular character, meeting familiar faces along the journey (some of whom become playable, too).

It’s a daring departure for the series, and it definitely changes the vibe of the game. Unlike the open-world setup of 2018’s Dynasty Warriors 9, having just one main character allows for a more adaptable Story Mode. Between major battles, you’re given freedom in an overworld to explore, discover secrets, customize your gear, forge alliances with officers, and take part in smaller skirmishes to enhance your character.

These changes emphasize a renewed attention to combat mechanics. While long-time fans will find comfort in the hack-and-slash shell, there’s a lot more depth here. You’ll need to employ blocks, parries, and evasive maneuvers during boss fights, and some battles now feature puzzle-like elements. Additionally, customizable Battle Arts let you tailor your approach with different weapons.

This isn’t just change for the sake of change—it feels like a confident step forward. There remains that satisfying power fantasy of becoming a 2nd-century superhero, yet now, the strategic element in one-on-one combat adds a fresh layer.

The clever mix of familiar and novel is at the heart of Dynasty Warriors: Origins. It’s undeniably part of the same franchise that many of us cherish, but with new twists that invigorate the experience. It’s like having your favorite comfort meal with new, intriguing ingredients thrown in.