Dynasty Warriors: Origins

Not only does Dynasty Warriors: Origins feel like the ultimate realization of an idea hatched more than two decades ago, it does so by exploring outside of its own series roots and evolution, and doesn't make any "let's make it open world" type mistakes. It leverages a ton of modern tech to create great looking battles featuring hundreds of soldiers, all while keeping the performance high.

So long as those flaws don’t seem like deal breakers, Dynasty Warriors Origin is the easiest recommendation I’ve had in the mainline series. It’s got a more substantial format, more potent storytelling, and more engaging combat than the series has seen before. While individual elements of other games may stand out, Origins is the most complete package currently, even though it’s not the full Romance of the Three Kingdoms story. It’s the starting point for a direction we’ll almost certainly be seeing more of, and it’s a direction we’re lucky to have sitting ahead of us. As it stands, Dynasty Warriors Origins is the top of the mountain. It’s not to be missed.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a reboot, and like all reboots, it will always leave behind some of those fans that so cherish the originals. That said, for all the fans it might annoy, this new title has released to a very positive response to what has, at times over the decades, been a harsh jury of critics in the gaming press, which says a lot. It's easy to see why. While keeping to the core roots of the much-loved Dynasty Warriors 2 to 5, it forges a new path that takes advantage of the power of modern PCs and gameplay that taps into some of the trends of modern gaming. No, the main character here is not going to win any awards, and future games have definitely left a lot of scope to build on, but if Origins is now the template going forward for Dynasty Warriors, it is easy to get excited about the future of the series.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins brings the series’ concept of beating up hordes of enemies to a new level due to more varied and better-paced gameplay. While the way characters interact with each other and the protagonist’s own story can feel a bit awkward, experiencing China’s Romance of the Three Kingdoms period as a nameless warrior is extremely satisfying.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins lays an important, fundamental groundwork for the future of the continued success of the Dynasty Warriors franchise. This is one of the most important junctures in time that will determine if the Dynasty Warriors series is still relevant, or if it will silently fade away like it almost permanently did after Dynasty Warriors 9. While I can absolutely empathize with how many long-time series fans feel about Origins’ slimmer package compared to past titles, I’ve chosen to embrace this impressive reinvention in the hopes that it is the harbinger of a new era of prosperity for the Dynasty Warriors series.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a complete package of being the ultimate badass, with the impact and combat to really back that up. Combine that with a killer soundtrack and a surprisingly interesting story, and you’ve got a truly excellent action game package. It is worth a warning that some people might find the experience repetitive if you’re not a fan of this style of game, but if you’re a new player seeking an entry point, there really isn’t a better jumping in point than this new entry. If you’re looking for a “nothing but fun” game to start off the new year, look no further than Koei Tecmo and Dynasty Warriors: Origins.

I absolutely had a blast, even as a fan of the genre who wishes that things had been done differently in a number of areas. Whether you’re a long time fan or new to the series, I have to recommend checking this out.

The Dynasty Warriors series has a solidly enjoyable gameplay experience, but this paradoxically presents a weakness in its difficulty to innovate. However, Dynasty Warriors Origin is a definitive work that demonstrates how the series can evolve while maintaining its traditional values.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a spectacular game that moves the series forward in new and exciting ways. Whether you’re fighting one enemy or a hundred the action is always fast-paced and engaging, and with so many weapon types and special attacks at your disposal there’s more than enough variety. Regardless of whether you love or hate this series, Dynasty Warriors Origins is a game that could well surprise and delight you.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins takes a bold step towards RPG elements while retaining the classic core that has defined this long-running franchise. It breaks new ground for the series, offering a storyline that masterfully balances historical accuracy with dramatic flair. Even if you're well versed in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, this game offers a fresh perspective, evoking new emotions and insights. The combat system retains the franchise's trademark excitement while incorporating modern innovations to deliver the most immersive battlefield atmosphere in the series to date.

The game revitalized 'Dynasty Warriors,' a series developed by Koei, with captivating innovations in narrative and environment. It also made significant strides in gameplay, offering rich and immersive content.

Whether you’re a musou noob or a series veteran, Dynasty Warriors: Origins is poised to delight. Developer Omega Force has hacked away much of the bloat, allowing the latest outing to focus on more sophisticated swordfighting and richer storytelling.

I believe Dynasty Warriors: Origins was designed to appeal to a wider audience for the musou genre, adding an extra layer of variety to the traditional formula. For my personal taste as a fan of this style of game, I was quite pleased. The combat has more depth, the narrative is more linear and the diverse structure gives this reboot a fresh feel, moving it away from feeling like just "more of the same".

While it is missing some features, DYNASTY WARRIORS ORIGINS is a fun time and a great place to hop in for newcomers!

Although Sun Tzu said, "The greatest victory is achieved without fighting," the man never played Dynasty Warriors. Origins has practically written an epic about fighting like a hero in the heart of battle and winning the war through combat.

Dynasty Warriors Origins manages to make us forget the mistakes of the ninth episode to bring the saga into a new era under the sign of modernity. Thanks to rich and nervous gameplay, the fights have never been so satisfying against one or several enemies and benefit from a great variety using the eight types of weapons. The battles are also more spectacular and epic than ever against ever more numerous and lively armies. However, this does not prevent the experience from suffering from readability problems in the heart of the action. Outside of the fights, the title shines with its friendly RPG aspect and its linear way of presenting the history of the Three Kingdoms to make it more accessible. And even if we are entitled to replayability and an interesting post-game, the absence of a free mode remains a lack, especially for veterans. Despite this pitfall, Dynasty Warriors Origins has given us a great view and augurs a bright future for the franchise which has been able to bounce back.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a brilliant new iteration of a classic formula, with some breathtaking bouts and intense action. It might not be exactly the Dynasty Warriors formula that got me into the series, but it feels like the right step for right now.

Koei Tecmo and Omega Force delivered on their promise. The combat is addictive and challenging, not just a button-mashing session. The narrative offers mixed feelings, but the appeal of the gameplay is enough to recommend that you give it a chance. The gameplay of Dynasty Warriors Origins is a delight and the highlight of this new game.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins has successfully reinvigorated a series that I had previously struggled to connect with. Its focused storytelling, enhanced combat mechanics, and impressive presentation have transformed it into a must-play experience. As someone who had only dabbled in the earlier titles, I found myself thoroughly impressed and eagerly invested in the battles and characters. I would confidently rate this game an 8 out of 10, recognizing it as a triumphant return that appeals to both veterans and newcomers alike.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a very welcome return for the series. Omega Force has done a fine job learning from its previous collaborations to help inject a fresh feeling into the game, while retaining the strengths that have given it such success in the past. Both newcomers and returning fans are very well catered for with this latest hack-and-slash enterprise.

By not numbering this latest game, the developers are signaling a rebirth of the series. In many ways that’s true. The action-RPG mechanics and narrative-heavy design bring the franchise in line with other ARPGs. At the same time, Dynasty Warriors: Origins is still a Musou game at heart. The immense battles fans of the genre love are still there. There’s less of a repetitive feeling this time around, and the game should be successful in courting new players coming from other ARPGs.

Sure, massed enemies can be a little glitchy and the story can err towards the convoluted at times, but it’s nothing that keeps the game from being enjoyable. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the series or tempted to jump in for the first time, Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a very early contender for hack-and-slash game of the year, and you could do far worse than spending your time working through its epic tale.

The rebirth of the Musou dynasty starts with Dynasty Warriors: Origins. A greater emphasis on duels against officers and bosses combines with better management of battlefield resources to give Tecmo Koei's armies a new soul. Not being able to directly impersonate its legendary heroes weighs a bit and the absence of a multiplayer mode almost feels like an affront, but nevertheless this is the restart the series needed.

Dynasty Warriors Origins takes the series' crowd combat and visuals to the next level while plumbing new narrative depths. I'd have liked to put my own stamp on its dull protagonist, but this is still an essential ARPG for fresh-faced players and grizzled veterans alike.

Dynasty Warriors Origins tries very hard to reboot the series in meaningful ways, and for the most part, it’s successful in creating a more focused single-player experience. It delves deep into the richness of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms story, even if it’s at times very poorly told. The core battle mechanics are perhaps the best in the series, with many additions to keep you engaged in combat, but there’s a lot of busywork and bloat that hampers its vision.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins offers the familiar gameplay the series is known for, while also making drastic changes in other areas. Longtime fans of the series will feel at home slaughtering countless enemies by themselves, but the approach to storytelling with the Wanderer character helps make things feel new again. It's interesting to watch the Wanderer's story unfold over the familiar events during the beginning of the Three Kingdoms area. The time period of which the game covers is shorter than previous games, but this allows for greater depth for both the Wanderer's story and the Three Kingdoms. This makes Dynasty Warriors: Origins a good starting point for those who are unfamiliar with the series, as many of the historically-based events will be explained throughout the game, and also a good title for longtime fans who thought Dynasty Warriors was running out of steam. Dynasty Warriors: Origins hits the right balance of familiar gameplay with new ideas, making it a great attempt at revitalizing the franchise.

While the absence of being able to select from a roster of heroes pains me, the across-the-board gains to other gameplay systems, as a result, pay off. Especially after the disaster that was Dynasty Warriors 9, Origins gets Omega Force back to their roots in a way I didn't know I craved. A must-buy for any fan of the series.

More than getting the series back in the saddle after the disappointing Dynasty Warriors 9, Dynasty Warriors: Origins evolves the genre and injects fresh excitement. A stripped back approach champions the explosive combat's focus on visceral clashes and tactile battlefields, with charming characters and a more immersive story mode.

A welcome refresh of a hack-and-slash mainstay that mostly impresses, despite a few glaring pacing problems.

Visions of Four Heroes builds upon an already strong foundation with extra character development and new content. Fans of Dynasty Warriors: Origins will enjoy it, but the €35 price tag is difficult to justify. At half the price, it would be an easy recommendation.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins lays a solid foundation for the series’ future. It’s a positive step forward, offering the best gameplay and visuals we’ve seen in the franchise so far. The storytelling approach also provides a more in-depth exploration of familiar characters we’ve followed for over 24 years. The developers have done an excellent job enhancing the combat while maintaining most of the core elements that fans love about Dynasty Warriors. Let’s face it, a sequel is inevitable, and the missing features here could easily make their way back in future instalments. If this game is any indication, there’s plenty to be excited about for what comes next.

For all its flaws, Dynasty Warriors: Origins is still an enjoyable game. At its core, it does what it needs to do. Koei Tecmo delivered on their promise of 1 vs. 1000 combat, though not without neglecting other aspects of gameplay. Combat was enjoyable, though suffered at the hands of poor game design. There’s a strong premise here, but a lack of character development hampers the storytelling. Overall, if you’re the type of person who’s looking for some straight forward, high-intensity action, Dynasty Warriors: Origins might be for you—as long as you don’t mind some of its rough edges.