Dynasty Warriors: Origins Review – Epic Hack-and-Slash Action

Dynasty Warriors: Origins Review – Epic Hack-and-Slash Action

Release Date & Platform

• Coming Jan 14, 2025 (unreleased)
• PS5

Dynasty Warriors: Origins revitalizes the series, blending its core hack-and-slash gameplay with action-oriented enhancements, creating extravagant 14th-century warfare.

The game’s enduring appeal lies in the satisfying feeling of mowing down hundreds of enemies. Dynasty Warriors 9’s open-world attempt failed, but Origins returns to its roots, improving upon the large-scale action.

Based on Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Origins focuses on the early story, from the Yellow Turban Rebellion to the Battle of Chibi. The narrative follows an amnesiac warrior, making the series more accessible to newcomers while offering depth for veterans.

While the storytelling is generally solid, the abundance of cutscenes can disrupt pacing. The secondary story revolving around the hero’s amnesia is weaker. The game features a single main character and nine playable companions, a significant change from previous installments.

The battlefield action is grand and spectacular. Combat is methodical and repetitive but deeply satisfying. Origins blends hack-and-slash with precise timing and skillful use of Arts (special abilities), creating a more engaging combat system.

Nine weapon types offer variety, each with unique attributes. Tactics, allowing control of soldier squads, add strategic depth. Large-scale battles are exhilarating, though the lack of co-op is a drawback.

Origins makes a significant improvement over Dynasty Warriors 9, enhancing the core gameplay. While some may be disappointed by the smaller roster and absence of co-op, the intense battle sequences are undeniably captivating.