For me, diving into Dynasty Warriors is like indulging in a favorite comfort meal. Omega Force’s long-standing series consistently delivers the familiar narrative covering vast kingdoms, with each new release striving to enhance the “1v1000” battle experience. I was introduced to this captivating saga through Dynasty Warriors 2, and over the last 25 years, I have repeatedly returned to immerse myself in its grand story, forming favorites like Guan Yu simply through all the time spent with them.
When I first got my hands on the 10th main game in the series, I was filled with curious anticipation. Dynasty Warriors: Origins, as the name suggests, aims to strip things back to the essentials and offers more than the usual slight tweaks fans are accustomed to with each new version.
Kicking off with Origins, there’s a noticeable shift to a more focused narrative. While we only get to see the early stages of the well-known story, the level of detail is richer than before. In past Dynasty Warriors games, you’d start by quelling the Yellow Turban Rebellion, a pivotal event that starts the Romance of the Three Kingdoms—the semi-fictional tale of ancient China that’s at the heart of these games. But Origins digs deeper, unfolding the Yellow Turbans’ rise, their eventual corruption, and their eventual downfall, effectively becoming a prequel to the series’ initial storyline.
Adding to this fresh take, we meet a new leading character whom you can personalize. This protagonist is an amnesiac traveler whose history gradually unfolds as you progress. This represents perhaps the biggest shift in the series—steering clear from the tradition of choosing from dozens of officers from various factions. Instead, you’re guiding this single character, getting opportunities to cross paths with and even play some familiar roles along the way.
This move shakes up the traditional formula and gives the game a new dynamic. Unlike the open-world design of Dynasty Warriors 9, Origins pulls back to focus on a single main character, allowing for a more adaptable Story Mode. Instead of jumping straight from battle to battle, you navigate an overworld where you can explore, unearth secrets, customize your gear, form relationships with fellow officers, and engage in skirmishes to improve your abilities.
Combat in Origins feels more thought-out than ever. While the classic hack-and-slash mechanics are still present, they’ve layered in more complexity. It’s vital to master blocks, parries, and evades during boss fights, and new puzzle-like elements have been integrated into some battles. Players can also experiment with Battle Art special moves, letting you personalize your approach based on weapon types.
This doesn’t feel like change for the sake of change. It comes off as a confident step in a new direction while still offering that powerful sensation of being a 2nd-Century hero. With these modifications, each encounter demands more strategic thinking, creating an experience that feels fresh but familiar.
Ultimately, Origins strikes a fine balance between what fans know and love and fresh concepts infused into the structure. To put it simply, it remains my go-to comfort dish, yet with exciting new flavors.
