After turbulent and silent times surrounding the Dynasty Warriors series due to the sequential failures of Dynasty Warriors 9, Koei Tecmo is pumping up the steam to create a new Musou-type game that truly reflects what makes the series stand out. Dynasty Warriors: Origins has all the answers many players have been waiting for. Playing as the new Protagonist, an amnesiac Guardian of Peace, players will journey through the Three Kingdoms Period and strive to bring peace to the land. This Dynasty Warriors: Origins review will guide you through the game’s many offerings.
From the fresh story perspective and plentiful characterization—featuring familiar faces such as Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan—to the exhilarating 1 vs. 1000 battles, now enhanced with tons of new gameplay mechanics, this review examines whether this game is a breath of fresh air the series needs. Let’s begin.
Dynasty Warriors: Origins, the 10th entry in the franchise, launches on January 17, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Dynasty Warriors: Origins is available on Steam for $59.99 and on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S for $69.99.
Story | A Fresh Perspective on the Three Kingdoms
In Dynasty Warriors: Origins, the story takes a different turn compared to previous entries, where players now take control of a singular main character, the Protagonist. This nameless and amnesiac warrior hails from the elusive Guardians of Peace and must navigate the turmoil gnawing at the Han Dynasty, quelling chaos one battlefield at a time.
That which is long divided must unify; that which is long unified must divide.
As you progress through the game, you’ll meet many characters, ranging from familiar faces such as Liu Bei, Cao Cao, Sun Jian, Yuan Shao, and Lu Bu, to new characters that are connected to the Protagonist’s past. The way that Koei Tecmo does the story this time around is exhilaratingly fresh, as you get many new perspectives that weren’t there previously.
Overall, I’m incredibly happy with how they manage the story, compacting it through the Protagonist’s lenses and seeing the tumultuous early Three Kingdoms Period by giving more time to the long-standing characters while also introducing new gameplay and story elements.
The Protagonist.
Gameplay | Siege It; Beat ‘Em All!
No Dynasty Warriors: Origins review would be complete without examining its robust gameplay mechanics. The game seamlessly combines the classic Musou system with new features like Battle Areas, Parry & Evasion, Bravery, and Battle Arts. For clarity, this section consists of three parts: Player Mechanics, Battle Systems, and World Exploration.
Player Mechanics
As the Protagonist, you will be able to use Normal and Strong Attacks, Parry, Blocking, Battle Arts, and Musou Attacks as your main avenues of combat, giving you many ways to defeat your opponents. Here are the details about Player Mechanics in Dynasty Warriors: Origins.
- Normal Attacks: Your primary method for dealing damage to enemies. (Square button on PlayStation 5, X button on Xbox Series X|S, and Left Mouse button on PC.)
- Parry and Blocking: Both actions are performed using the same button (Shift on PC, L1 on PlayStation 5, and LB on Xbox). Pressing the button at the right moment allows you to parry an officer’s attack while holding it down enables a blocking stance.
- Battle Arts: A new addition to the series, Battle Arts introduces depth and flair to combat, enabling powerful and strategic moves using 9 weapon types available in the game.
- Musou Attacks: A powerful single strike that you can unleash once you fill up the Musou Gauge by killing enemy soldiers.
Fighting with Spears.
Battle Systems
Victory demands more than sheer strength—it calls for strategy. Lead your allies with precision using well-timed Squad Tactics, such as powerful Cavalry Charges, to achieve Dramatic Successes, elevate your army’s Morale, and turn the tide of battle in your favor. Take part in massive force clashes and counter enemy Grand Tactics to seize control of the battlefield. With the Protagonist’s unique “Eyes of the Sacred Bird,” uncover hidden dangers and opportunities, ensuring you never miss a chance to gain the upper hand.
This new battle system is enough to revive the Dynasty Warriors franchise and give it a new life, ready to welcome all types of players.
Battling to Gain Morale.
World Exploration
Beyond the battlefield, Dynasty Warriors: Origins introduces elements of exploration that deepen immersion. Players can engage with Companions and Non-Playable Officers to form Bonds with them, uncover secrets, and navigate sprawling maps to strategize their next moves. This exploration enriches the overall experience, offering a respite from constant combat.
Purchasing Weapons.
Graphics and Sound Design | The Right Step for the Series
Visually, Dynasty Warriors: Origins is very positive with minor weak sides. While the game doesn’t dazzle with cutting-edge graphics, it possesses a unique charm that sticks true to its nature. Character models are always evolving and differ from past Dynasty Warriors titles. In addition to that, the combat effects, with dramatic weapon animations that send enemies flying truly shine, contributing to the epic feel of battles. Despite the lack of advanced lighting effects and modern graphical settings, the game maintains a visually appealing presentation during combat sequences. Battle Arts and Musou Attacks also give players a sense of satisfaction.
Even so, the fact that they’ve delivered their promises of ensuring that each battlefield is teeming with life, especially enemy soldiers, is still one of the major reasons why Dynasty Warriors: Origins sets the series in the right direction, because the possibilities are now on the table, giving the players the chance to truly feel like a True Warrior of the Three Kingdoms, battling their way against tens of thousands of enemies.
The sound design offers a blend of calm and strength. The soundtrack shines during exploration phases, featuring calming tunes that fit well with the period. However, as with its predecessors, the battle soundtracks take the spotlight. The game, teeming with remixes of old soundtracks, such as Lu Bu’s Theme, pairs exceptionally well with the original soundtracks.
One of the spotlights I’ve seen during my playthrough is during the last legs of the Battle of Hulao Gate. When we’ve reached the gates, Against the Destructive Tyranny OST roars through the screen, as if Dong Zhuo himself leads his army to face us. The ensuing battle between two Large Forces is a sight to behold and one that I will remember for a very long time.
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- Using Podao.
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- Using Twin Pikes.
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- Suppression of Yan Province Mission.
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- Battle of Hulao Gate.
sm morshed
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