Dynasty Warriors has always been my gaming comfort zone. There’s something about Omega Force’s long-standing series that keeps pulling me back—perhaps it’s the timeless saga of sprawling kingdoms or maybe those satisfying “1v1000” battles. I first stumbled upon this epic with Dynasty Warriors 2 and have eagerly revisited it many times over the past 25 years. With each return, I’ve grown fond of certain characters, Guan Yu being one of my enduring favorites, thanks to the time I’ve spent alongside them.
So, you can imagine my curiosity when diving into the latest, 10th mainline entry. This one, fittingly titled Dynasty Warriors: Origins, wastes no time in signaling its approach. The game isn’t just about subtle tweaks here and there; it’s a bold leap back to the series’ roots with a fresh perspective.
Origins kicks off with a more focused and detailed narrative, homing in on the early part of the epic we’ve come to know. Traditionally, Dynasty Warriors games start with the legendary Yellow Turban Rebellion, a catalyst event that propels the Romance of the Three Kingdoms—a semi-fictional retelling of ancient China’s history. But in Origins, we’re given an introductory chapter that delves into the rise and fall of the Yellow Turbans, offering a compelling backstory to this familiar conflict.
Enter a brand new protagonist—an amnesiac warrior with a mysterious past that unfolds as you progress. You get to name this wandering hero, a clear sign of the game’s shift toward a personal storytelling experience. Unlike previous installments where you chose from a vast roster of officers, here you navigate the world through this singular character. Along your journey, you’ll encounter well-known faces, some joining you in playable capacities.
This decision marks a daring shift for the series, significantly altering its gameplay dynamic. While Dynasty Warriors 9 introduced an open-world design, Origins opts for a more intricate Story Mode focused on a single protagonist. Between main missions, you’re placed in an overworld setup where you can explore, uncover secrets, customize your arsenal, engage with officers, and participate in smaller skirmishes to enhance your abilities.
Combat in Dynasty Warriors has always been about the thrill of the fight, and Origins maintains that core—albeit with added layers. The fundamentals of hack-and-slash remain intact, but there’s a newfound emphasis on strategy. Blocking, parrying, and dodging are crucial, especially against formidable foes, while battles now include puzzle elements and customizable Battle Art abilities that let you tailor your combat style to suit different weapon types.
This isn’t just change for change’s sake—there’s a confident evolution here. The thrill of becoming a quasi-superhero of the 2nd Century persists, but now with a bit more brainpower behind each decisive duel.
It’s this nuanced balance of familiar beats and inventive changes that makes Dynasty Warriors: Origins a significant step forward for the franchise. It’s still the gaming equivalent of comfort food, now with a few intriguing new ingredients spicing things up.
