The Dynasty Warriors series has been a long-standing franchise, even outlasting some real historical dynasties and earning widespread popularity. The most recent mainline entry, released in 2018, along with its Empires version in 2022, provided enjoyable experiences despite some technical flaws and divisive design choices. Now, the series is undergoing a significant transformation with Dynasty Warriors: Origins, a reboot that prioritizes gameplay refinement. This latest installment recaptures the excitement I have for the series and is the most fun I’ve experienced in a Dynasty Warriors game since enjoying the co-op in Dynasty Warriors 2-4 with my brother, delivering one of the most engaging entries in years. However, while Origins revitalizes the classic formula, it may introduce changes that come at a high cost for longtime fans.
Dynasty Warriors: Origins retains the series’ signature 1v1000 gameplay, but thanks to the power of next-generation consoles, battles now feel more expansive and immersive than ever. The sheer number of warriors on screen truly captures the large-scale warfare the franchise has aspired to since its inception. However, one of the most significant changes in this installment is the shift from a massive roster of 80+ playable characters to a single protagonist. Players take on the role of Ziluan, a wanderer who has forgotten his past. The story picks up with Ziluan finding himself at the heart of the events that will spark the flames of the Yellow Turban Rebellion.
As expected from a Dynasty Warriors game, players will experience this pivotal uprising while encountering key figures from the Three Kingdoms era. The reduced character count and narrative scope allow for a more cinematic experience, making Origins one of the most visually and narratively polished entries in the series. However, this comes at the cost of a more expansive story as well. As the title suggests, Origins serves as an introduction, not just to Ziluan, but to the Three Kingdoms period itself. Players will eventually have to choose a faction to side with, but the game does not extend as far into the Romance of the Three Kingdoms storyline as previous titles. Instead, it seems to be setting the stage for potential sequels that may continue the historical saga. One of the most noticeable new features in Dynasty Warriors: Origins is the Overworld, which allows players to explore an interactive map between battles. Gone is the clumsy and poorly implemented open world of 9, thankfully. This overview of the land serves as a hub where players can encounter other warriors, who will engage in conversations through cutscenes or brief narration on the map itself. Interacting with these characters increases your bond with them and may unlock challenges that, when completed, reward skill points used to upgrade Ziluan’s abilities.
The world map also provides opportunities for random battles, which grant skill points and contribute to maintaining peace in the region. These skirmishes vary in size, with some lasting only a few minutes while others, though shorter than main campaign missions, can take around 5-10 minutes to complete. Additionally, players can visit cities that feature shops for buying and selling weapons, as well as inns where they can adjust loadouts, replay missions, and craft gems that provide combat boosts. This map bears a resemblance to a three-dimensional version of the World Map from Super Mario World, offering a dynamic way to traverse China while engaging with the game’s world and mechanics. It’s not one-to-one but with the way the paths take you and how it has stops along the way, it definitely feels like it.
Despite the many new features, Dynasty Warriors: Origins retains the core battlefield experience that longtime fans will instantly recognize. Upon entering combat, players are greeted with the familiar large map in the corner of the screen, displaying enemy bases and red markers indicating the location of enemy generals. As always, various strategies can be employed, but the classic approach of eliminating generals on the way to capturing bases remains as effective as ever. The satisfaction of watching the K.O. counter climb is still as exciting as ever, and even in the tutorial battles, I was able to reach 1,000 K.O.s and trigger the iconic “You are a true warrior of the Three Kingdoms” line. Ziluan has access to a diverse arsenal of weapons, much like a custom character in previous entries. While not every signature weapon from past games returns, such as Zhang He’s iconic claws, there is a wide selection of swords, spears, axes, and poles to choose from, as well as the option to fight with your fists. Weapons can be leveled up, unlocking points to enhance Ziluan’s abilities, as well as access to new Battle Arts techniques. These Battle Arts function as a quick, focused Musou-style attacks and can be mapped to one of the four face buttons after holding down R1. Doing a Battles Arts attack consumes Battle Arts Points and as players defeat enemies, they will gradually accumulate these points, which can be spent to unleash these devastating attacks or counter unblockable enemy moves. However, if an enemy emits a red glow, it signals an even stronger, uncounterable attack, forcing players to rely on precise dodging to survive.
While exploring the map, players may encounter enemy officers who challenge them to a duel. Accepting a duel transports the battle to a small arena surrounded by soldiers, where combat unfolds in a 1v1 format. Instead of traditional health bars, a shared lifebar functions like a pendulum, shifting toward the opponent’s side as the player lands successful attacks and vice versa. Victory is achieved by pushing the meter entirely to the enemy’s side, eliminating them from the battlefield. A Rage Mode mechanic allows players to temporarily become invulnerable by pressing R3 and L3 simultaneously. While active, players can freely spam Battle Arts, and once the meter is depleted, the sequence concludes with a powerful Musou Attack that can clear out surrounding enemies. In certain battles, players can bring allies into combat, and depending on the faction they align with, iconic warriors such as Guan Yu, Xiahou Dun, Cao Cao, and Sun Shangxiang can be selectable. There are among approximately ten selectable characters in the game currently and if you load up new game+ you can choose any of the unlocked allies to fight. When both Musou gauges are full, players can unleash devastating Dual Musou Attacks. Additionally, if an ally’s Musou gauge is maxed out, players can temporarily switch to them, gaining access to their unique Battle Arts and Musou abilities. While this mechanic offers a taste of the franchise’s traditional multi-character gameplay, it highlights the sad absence of a full-fledged campaign featuring the extensive Dynasty Warriors roster.
Players will also get to command a small squad of soldiers, issuing tactical orders such as launching arrow volleys, charging forward, or defending points. While it’s a minor addition, these commands can prove invaluable in critical moments, saving your behind. Thankfully, if you do fail, Origins gives you a rewind feature that allows players to restart from specific checkpoints reached during battle. If a mission ends in failure, players can select from a list of these checkpoints rather than having to restart from the beginning. This addition is particularly beneficial for harder levels, preventing the frustration of losing significant progress due to an unlucky attack or last-minute defeat. In previous games, a single mistake of mine could cause me to replay an entire 30-minute battle, but this new system offers some peace of mind and is a much-needed quality-of-life improvement, making the experience more forgiving and accessible.
Dynasty Warriors: Origins delivers the revitalization the franchise has desperately needed over the years. While it retains the core essence that longtime fans cherish, it finally feels like a true next-generation experience and one that new players can actually enjoy. Thanks to its impressive upgrades and new gameplay mechanics I think Dynasty Warriors: Origins can get the series over that Warriors stigma it has been saddled with for years. The battles feel grander than ever and the narrative makes interactions with key figures more engaging and meaningful. The refined gameplay mechanics make the repetitive nature of the game fun, enhancing the classic Dynasty Warriors formula in exciting ways. While the absence of the series staple massive roster of playable characters is a real big bummer, the future is bright for the series. There is a base to build upon here and I can only see future entries being even stronger. Hell, maybe we’ll get to see the return of all our favorite characters again in an XL or Empires release.
Regardless, Dynasty Warriors: Origins plants a flag down and marks itself to be a true contender for a great game this year. Even if the series has been the butt of a joke for gamers over the years, its strategic improvements and modernized gameplay gives Origins a true next-gen evolution of the franchise while keeping the same charms of its past. For fans of the series, Origins is an absolute must-play, and for new players, it sets the stage for an exciting future of fandom for you.
A PlayStation 5 code was provided by the publisher for review purposes
