Dynasty Warriors is a highly popular video game franchise, particularly in its country of origin, Japan. It reached its peak popularity, especially during the 2010s, but over the past 7-8 years, it has seen a significant decline in momentum. The frequent annual releases, sometimes even two games per year, combined with the repetitive use of its formula and assets to the point of monotony, and most importantly, the shift towards an open-world format to align with Western gaming trends, have depleted much of its credibility. However, at Koei Tecmo and Omega Force studio, there is a belief that reviving the franchise’s fortunes is possible through a new approach. This includes abandoning the open-world structure, returning to the core gameplay elements, incorporating features from Souls-like games, and critically, switching engines. We had the opportunity to play Dynasty Warriors Origins on PS5 for more than 4 hours in Paris just a few days ago, alongside producer Tomohiko Sho, who traveled from Japan specifically for this event, and it is evident that Dynasty Warriors is gradually earning our respect once again.
1 VS 1000
To regain quality and success, Omega Force studio has decided to enhance gameplay depth and consistency through a “darksoulization” approach that aims not to disappoint fans. Essentially, the fundamental combat system remains intact but is enriched with additional features to make encounters more tactical and engaging. Parries, counters, evasions, and proper management of various gauges visible at the bottom left of the screen now offer increased possibilities, enhancing situational variety. Moreover, Dynasty Warriors Origins also emphasizes timing, enabling perfect parry and unlocking opportunities for counter-attacks. This mechanic rewards players and introduces rhythm to encounters, as one must always be wary of the enemy, particularly given that enemies outnumber you and you need to locate generals amidst the chaos to influence armies. This was already a key strategy in previous Musou titles, where defeating generals quickly was essential to prevent continuous waves of soldiers.
CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN
The standout feature of Dynasty Warriors Origins is the enhanced battle experience against generals, made possible by a completely new 3D engine that places you amidst hundreds of soldiers in intense full-scale warfare. While it remains Omega Force’s proprietary engine, it has been significantly updated to suit the latest console generation. Players should be aware that these generals have larger health bars compared to regular soldiers and are distinguished not only by their physical appearance, weapons, and abilities but also by their diverse array of potentially lethal attacks. Colored spark indicators provide crucial warnings about incoming attacks—blue sparks indicate blockable moves, while red sparks signal the need for evasive action due to unblockable strikes. Timing is especially critical when surrounded by numerous enemies. The game delivers an immensely satisfying experience, particularly through its robust Musou technique that allows sweeping away tens or even dozens of adversaries with a single powerful strike.
Dynasty Warriors Origins will not fall short of this legacy and will offer nine different weapons that can be upgraded throughout the adventure. In the demo I was able to test, seven weapons were accessible, already significantly boosted, allowing me to get a good sense of their capabilities. Katana, sword, lance, claws, solstice—there is something for everyone, knowing that each weapon has its own skill tree and quick swaps can be made during combat in the options menu. It is clear that Omega Force studio aimed to please as much as possible, with powerful attacks, famous Musou attacks, and beautifully staged scenes.
TACTICAL SOUL
In this pursuit of offering more refined and deliberate gameplay, Dynasty Warriors Origins has reintroduced certain tactical elements from previous installments, such as the ability to execute coordinated maneuvers like cavalry charges or targeted assaults. These maneuvers are not merely for show; they can significantly impact battle progression, especially when outnumbered. While it might not be the first thing on one’s mind amidst the chaos, with well-executed moves and missions taking nearly 30 minutes to complete, players must learn to step back and analyze battles before charging in recklessly. As the game progresses and difficulty escalates, developers have implemented a robust checkpoint system, allowing players to resume progress at key battle moments without having to replay extensive sections.
“Less is More”
The Dynasty Warriors series is renowned for its impressive roster of playable characters, which can exceed 90 individuals. According to producer Tomohiko Sho, this number was considered excessive, leading to a decision to refocus for Dynasty Warriors Origins. In this installment, there are 47 characters in total, though most are not playable. Only nine characters will be playable and act as temporary allies that players can control during certain battles. The main protagonist of Dynasty Warriors Origins is a brooding figure around whom the story revolves, along with his personality and another character accompanying him through turbulent times. Players will explore China through this hero’s perspective, encountering various missions, side quests, random events, and shop interactions on a 3D map that resembles moving pieces in a board game. The developers aimed to maintain player engagement by avoiding an austere and uninteresting central hub, allowing players to travel across China on foot or horseback at their own pace. These elements contribute to the game’s rich identity and strong player engagement.
Visually, Dynasty Warriors Origins holds up quite well. Of course, upon closer inspection, it falls short compared to other AAA productions, but the sense of total war is truly impressive. The sheer number of characters on screen is noteworthy and will leave a strong impression, especially since the game runs flawlessly on PS5 in its standard version. There was no lag or slowdown; the game is perfectly optimized, and I hardly noticed that four hours had passed during gameplay. This experience is something new for me in Dynasty Warriors games, as far as I can remember. The excitement around this upcoming release indicates potential for positive changes, and it is scheduled to launch on January 17, 2025, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
