Dynasty Warriors: Origins Review

The Dynasty Warriors series, long known for its high-octane hack-and-slash gameplay, has been a staple of the gaming world for over two decades. Now, after a seven-year hiatus from console releases, Dynasty Warriors: Origin brings the beloved Musou franchise back to center stage. Developed by Omega Force and published by Koei Tecmo, this 2025 entry aims to revitalize the series while staying true to its roots, offering fans an ambitious new take on the iconic battles and characters from Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

What sets Origin apart from previous entries is its focused narrative. Rather than attempting to cover the entirety of the epic Chinese novel, Origin delves deeply into the first half of the story, giving players a richer, more detailed look at the early days of the Three Kingdoms period. This narrative-driven approach is paired with a fresh coat of polish, thanks to next-gen hardware capabilities that allow Omega Force to display up to 10,000 soldiers on-screen at once.

Dynasty Warriors: Origin also introduces a hybrid gameplay style, blending its signature hack-and-slash combat with strategic elements, troop commands, and character customizations. But does this reboot succeed in balancing nostalgia with innovation? Let’s dive into the game’s sprawling battlefields and political intrigue to find out.

Setting and Story: A Fresh Look at the Three Kingdoms

Dynasty Warriors: Origin reimagines the beginning of the Three Kingdoms era, drawing inspiration from the first half of Romance of the Three Kingdoms. By narrowing its scope, the game takes a deeper dive into the pivotal moments, legendary battles, and personal dramas that shaped this iconic period in Chinese history. For both longtime fans and newcomers, this narrative-focused approach provides a richer understanding of the characters and the historical context.

The story begins with the fall of the Han Dynasty, a time of political turmoil, betrayal, and the emergence of warlords vying for control of China. Players follow the rise of iconic figures like Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and Sun Jian as they navigate alliances, rivalries, and the chaos of war. By focusing on the early years of the Three Kingdoms, Origin highlights the seeds of division and the formation of the alliances that would eventually dominate the era.

Producer Tomohiko Sho emphasized the game’s commitment to storytelling, and it shows. The cinematic cutscenes and detailed dialogue sequences immerse players in the drama of the era, giving more weight to the battles they fight. Key moments—such as the Oath of the Peach Garden and the Battle of Hulao Pass—are given the spotlight, allowing players to experience these legendary events with greater emotional resonance and historical context.

The depth of the story is further enriched by the inclusion of multiple perspectives. Players can follow different characters, each with their own motivations and arcs, creating a multifaceted view of the Three Kingdoms’ conflict. The addition of a second playable general as a teammate adds a new dynamic to both the gameplay and the narrative, as players can experience how different leaders approach the chaos of war.

With its sharper focus and character-driven storytelling, Dynasty Warriors: Origin breathes new life into the epic saga of the Three Kingdoms. It’s a story of loyalty, ambition, and betrayal, and for the first time in years, it feels like the narrative is as integral to the experience as the gameplay.

Gameplay and Mechanics: A Fresh Take on Musou Action

Dynasty Warriors: Origin revitalizes the Musou formula with a blend of fast-paced hack-and-slash action, strategic troop management, and an unprecedented level of scale. Omega Force has retained the core essence of what makes the Dynasty Warriors franchise iconic while introducing modern gameplay elements that bring depth and variety to the battlefield.

Dynamic Combat System

The hallmark of the Dynasty Warriors series has always been its frenetic, one-against-a-thousand combat, and Origin takes this to a new level. Players will cleave through waves of enemies with flashy, over-the-top combos that make you feel unstoppable. The combat is smoother than ever, thanks to refined animations and responsive controls. Signature Musou attacks are as satisfying as they are devastating, with new effects and combos adding a fresh sense of power to every strike.

What sets Origin apart is the ability to issue commands to your troops mid-battle. This strategic element allows players to dictate the flow of combat, repositioning units to defend key objectives, flank enemies, or reinforce allies in need. Balancing your own combat prowess with tactical troop management is key to success, creating a more layered and engaging gameplay experience.

Teammate System and Customization

One of the standout additions to Origin is the introduction of the teammate system. Players can choose a second general to accompany them on missions, each with unique abilities and personalities. This feature not only enhances combat dynamics but also deepens the narrative, as interactions between characters add context to their relationships. Switching between characters during battle allows for more tactical flexibility, enabling players to adapt to different situations on the fly.

Customization is another highlight. Players can equip their characters with a variety of weapons, each with distinct move sets and effects. With multiple weapon types and skill trees to unlock, Origin encourages experimentation, allowing players to tailor their playstyle to their preferences. The game also introduces a crafting system for upgrading weapons and gear, adding another layer of progression to the gameplay.

Massive Battles with Strategic Depth

Omega Force’s ambitious goal of displaying up to 10,000 soldiers on-screen is fully realized in Origin. The sheer scale of the battles is breathtaking, with sprawling battlefields teeming with allied and enemy troops. This spectacle doesn’t come at the cost of strategic depth; players must navigate objectives, secure strongholds, and manage troop morale to turn the tide of war. Environmental factors, such as choke points and terrain advantages, further enhance the tactical layer of the game.

Boss Encounters and Unique Challenges

In addition to traditional large-scale battles, Origin introduces more intimate, skill-based boss encounters. Warlords and legendary generals act as minibosses with advanced AI and special abilities, requiring players to adapt their strategies. These duels break up the flow of standard combat, providing moments of heightened tension and spectacle.

With its refined combat mechanics, strategic elements, and expansive customization options, Dynasty Warriors: Origin strikes a balance between the series’ signature chaos and meaningful depth. It’s a welcome evolution of the formula, keeping the core appeal intact while addressing past criticisms of repetitiveness.

Multiplayer and Replayability: Endless Battles, Infinite Strategies

While Dynasty Warriors: Origin focuses heavily on its single-player campaign, it offers enough variety, customization, and replayable content to keep players coming back for more. Its dynamic battles, character progression, and multiple perspectives ensure that no two playthroughs feel identical.

Single-Player Depth with a Hint of Multiplayer Absence

One of the most noticeable omissions in Origin is the lack of cooperative multiplayer, a feature long associated with the Dynasty Warriors franchise. For players who fondly remember teaming up with friends to take on massive armies, this exclusion might feel like a missed opportunity. However, the game’s robust teammate system—where you can switch between two characters during combat—partially mitigates the absence of co-op by allowing players to experiment with multiple playstyles within a single mission.

Alternate Perspectives and Replay Value

The story-driven campaign is designed for replayability, with multiple perspectives offering unique takes on key battles. Playing as different generals not only adds narrative depth but also introduces varied gameplay styles, as each character has their own set of weapons, abilities, and special moves. Revisiting missions with new characters and strategies encourages experimentation, ensuring that players remain engaged long after the credits roll.

Endless Customization and Progression

The game’s customization options add significant replay value. Players can experiment with different weapon types, skill trees, and equipment builds to find the perfect setup for their preferred playstyle. The crafting and upgrading systems allow players to fine-tune their arsenal, making each mission an opportunity to collect materials and improve their gear. For completionists, unlocking every character’s full potential and mastering all available weapons is a rewarding challenge.

Dynamic Battlefield Objectives

The dynamic nature of battles further enhances replayability. Objectives can shift mid-mission, forcing players to adapt their strategies on the fly. This unpredictability keeps the gameplay fresh, encouraging players to approach each battle with a flexible mindset. Additionally, the AI’s improved responsiveness ensures that even familiar missions can present new challenges, as enemy generals adapt to your tactics.

A Foundation for the Future

While the lack of multiplayer limits Origin’s appeal for cooperative gameplay fans, the sheer depth of its single-player content more than compensates. Omega Force’s commitment to delivering a polished and expansive experience shines through, setting a strong foundation for potential future updates or expansions. Whether you’re revisiting missions to master your skills or exploring alternate character arcs, Dynasty Warriors: Origin offers plenty of reasons to return to its sprawling battlefields.

Graphics and Sound: A Cinematic Battlefield Experience

Dynasty Warriors: Origin takes full advantage of next-generation hardware to deliver an immersive and visually stunning experience. From the massive scale of battles to the intricate details of character designs and environments, the game raises the bar for the Dynasty Warriors series. Coupled with a rousing soundtrack and dynamic sound design, Origin ensures that every clash on the battlefield feels epic and impactful.

Next-Gen Visuals on a Grand Scale

Omega Force set out to showcase the power of modern hardware by rendering up to 10,000 soldiers on-screen, and they’ve succeeded spectacularly. Massive armies collide on sprawling battlefields, creating a sense of scale and chaos that immerses players in the intensity of the Three Kingdoms. The game maintains impressive performance even in the most crowded scenarios, with fluid animations and smooth transitions between combat and cutscenes.

Each battlefield is richly detailed, from the dense forests and winding rivers of central China to the towering fortresses that serve as key objectives. The dynamic lighting system and weather effects—like pouring rain or the glow of a setting sun—add a cinematic quality to every battle, enhancing both the visuals and the atmosphere.

Character Design and Animations

The legendary generals of the Three Kingdoms have never looked better. Each character is rendered with painstaking detail, their armor gleaming with intricate patterns and their weapons radiating power. Animations are fluid and responsive, making every attack, dodge, and special move feel satisfying. Signature Musou attacks are visually spectacular, with explosive effects that leave a trail of destruction in their wake.

The teammate system also benefits from improved animations, as characters interact seamlessly during combat, adding to the sense of camaraderie and tactical depth.

A Soundtrack of War and Triumph

The soundtrack of Dynasty Warriors: Origin blends traditional Chinese instruments with epic orchestral compositions, striking the perfect balance between historical authenticity and high-energy battle themes. The music adapts dynamically to the intensity of the gameplay, swelling during pivotal moments and calming during quieter exploration phases. Each piece adds emotional weight to the story, amplifying the drama and heroism of the Three Kingdoms.

Dynamic Sound Design

The game’s sound effects are equally impressive, with the clash of swords, the roar of armies, and the thunder of artillery creating a rich auditory landscape. Subtle details, like the sound of soldiers marching or the ambient noise of a bustling camp, help to ground the player in the world. Voice acting for key characters is delivered with conviction, bringing the larger-than-life personalities of Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and others to life.

While the voice acting shines in pivotal moments, some minor characters’ performances can feel inconsistent. However, this doesn’t detract significantly from the overall experience, as the main cast delivers memorable and emotional performances that anchor the story.

With its polished visuals, stunning battlefields, and captivating sound design, Dynasty Warriors: Origin sets a new standard for the series, offering a sensory feast that keeps players engaged from the first clash to the last.

Final Thoughts: A Triumphant Return for the Dynasty Warriors Series

Dynasty Warriors: Origin breathes new life into a franchise that has long been a staple of hack-and-slash gaming. By focusing on the first half of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Omega Force delivers a more intimate and detailed retelling of the saga, complemented by refined gameplay mechanics and modern visuals. This is a game that balances nostalgia with innovation, making it a standout entry in the Dynasty Warriors series.

Strengths to Celebrate

The game’s commitment to scale and spectacle is one of its greatest achievements. With massive armies clashing on expansive battlefields, Origin captures the chaos and grandeur of ancient warfare like never before. The dynamic combat system, enriched by strategic elements like troop management and a teammate system, ensures that every encounter feels fresh and engaging. The polished visuals, cinematic cutscenes, and emotionally charged soundtrack further elevate the experience, immersing players in the drama of the Three Kingdoms.

Room for Growth

Despite its successes, Dynasty Warriors: Origin isn’t without its flaws. The absence of cooperative multiplayer, a beloved feature of the franchise, feels like a missed opportunity to bring friends into the chaos. Additionally, while the core gameplay is exhilarating, the repetitive nature of some missions and encounters can occasionally dull the excitement. These issues, while minor, highlight areas where future updates or expansions could enhance the overall experience.

Replayability and Longevity

The game’s replayability is bolstered by its multiple perspectives, diverse roster of characters, and extensive customization options. Whether you’re experimenting with new weapon combinations, revisiting iconic battles with different generals, or delving into the alternate character arcs, there’s always a reason to return to the battlefield. The sheer variety of gameplay styles ensures that Origin remains engaging long after the main story is complete.

A Worthy Origin Story

Ultimately, Dynasty Warriors: Origin succeeds in revitalizing a beloved series while staying true to its roots. It’s a love letter to fans of the franchise and an excellent entry point for newcomers eager to experience the thrill of Musou combat. By focusing on both storytelling and gameplay depth, Omega Force has crafted a game that feels both modern and timeless. While there’s room for improvement, Origin sets a strong foundation for the future of Dynasty Warriors and reminds us why this series has endured for so long.

“We prepared this review with a digital copy of Dynasty Warriors: Origin for the PS5 version provided by Koei Tecmo.”