Dynasty Warriors: Origins

Everything that makes Dynasty Warriors great has been built on and amplified in Dynasty Warriors: Origins. The fast-paced combat is more fluid and satisfying than ever, and I think the decision to allow players to build up their own character is the right move for the franchise moving forward. I wasn’t sure how Omega Force could take a series coming up on three decades old and make it appealing to newcomers while appeasing long-time fans, but they found a way. For me, this is the best Dynasty Warriors yet, and I’m excited to see what’s next.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins revitalizes the Musou franchise with a fresh story centered on an amnesiac Protagonist, innovative gameplay mechanics like Bravery and Squad Tactics, and breathtaking visuals. Combining classic 1 vs. 1000 battles with new systems and perspectives, it offers an engaging experience for both fans and newcomers. Omega Force and Koei Tecmo has delivered a promising and polished entry that redefines the series' potential.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a fantastic revival of a classic franchise that seemed like it was once on death's door. Origins is a complete breathe of fresh air while feeling familiar but adding much needed gameplay changes and tactics to make everything feel fresh. This is the true next generation leap for the series. If you are a fan of this series you owe it to yourself to play Origins. I cannot wait to see how they build off of this for the future.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a masterfully crafted game and easily the best entry in the franchise. It delivers a somewhat convoluted yet beautifully presented story, paired with deep and exhilarating combat that will keep you engaged for hours. The gameplay truly makes you feel like a combat demigod in Ancient China.

With a rehauled gameplay and a more honed focus on storytelling, Dynasty Warriors: Origins is the best Dynasty Warriors game ever made. While the lack of multiplayer and customizability options are sure to irk some longtime fans, the much-improved story mode and combat easily make up for it. Whether you’re a series veteran or a newcomer, Origins is well worth checking out and the first truly great game of 2025.

Koei Tecmo and Omega Force kick off the year in a fantastic fashion. Dynasty Warriors: Origins is the best Dynasty Warriors game yet. A love letter to the series, the perfect entry point for new players, and it makes it clear that the future of the series is something we should all be paying attention to.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins breaks through that stagnation with a cracker of a game. By deviating from the old concept as a spin-off, the series is firmly back on track: the story is presented in a fun way, the gameplay is unparalleled, the technical quality is good and the game offers a lot of content. For fans of the PS2 parts, there is even a bit of nostalgia to be recognized. Koei Tecmo shows with this that Dynasty Warriors is far from finished and they also dare to innovate with the concept.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is the reboot the series needed - a successful mix of over-the-top wuxia action, a bit of strategy and really massive armies.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is essentially a reboot of the series, retelling the familiar story from a more personal perspective with a new amnesiac protagonist. The good news is that it works, with the narrative being more engaging than ever. But it's the gameplay that truly impresses, with multiple changes to the combat system resulting in this being the most dynamic and rewarding Dynasty Warriors game to date.

Dynasty Warriors Origins breathes new life into the Musou franchise, blending a gripping narrative with refined combat mechanics and expansive exploration. While the game offers engaging storytelling and strategic depth, occasional pacing issues and repetitive side quests may deter newcomers.

As someone who has zealously played every entry in the series since its inception more than two decades ago, I’d say Dynasty Warriors: Origins is the best Musou game ever. After years of unsurprising reiteration and plenty of misfires, Omega Force has delivered a smart and super polished reinvention of the Musou franchise that corrects so many of its past shortcomings.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a return to the essence of the franchise, reinforcing its elements that captivate fans. With exceptional gameplay, visual improvements and a new focus on narrative, the title not only puts the series back on track, but delivers one of its best games to date.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins doesn’t just have the largest amount of enemies the series has thrown on screen at once, it also deepens its combat, improves its storytelling, and provides a healthy amount of replayability.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is an entrancing experience that draws you in and keeps you with a vice grip. I lost count of the nights I kept telling myself, “One more battle,” until it was four in the morning. There are small niggling issues here and there; I’d have preferred one or two more weapons, the storytelling still gets dry occasionally and cam suffer from slow pacing, and it’d be nice to have more visual customization for Ziluan. But Dynasty Warriors: Origins is such a success on the levels that really matter, an emotionally resonant story and unforgettable battles, that it hardly matters. It’s a game that both gets back to the basics of what makes a Dynasty Warriors game, while also striking out into new uncharted territory. If Dynasty Warriors 9 felt like a whimper that could end the franchise, Origins is a resounding shout that says it isn’t going anywhere just yet.

Dynasty Warriors Origins provides a compact narrative from the Yellow Turban Rebellion up through the Battle of Chibi and the formation of the Three Kingdoms. While the amnesiac protagonist is about as interesting as a brick, his prowess to change the tide of battle is a true force to be reckoned with.

The absence of some classic franchise features may raise eyebrows among longtime fans, but as a single-player experience, Dynasty Warriors: Origin stands out as an excellent action RPG. Engaging, content-rich, and occasionally quite challenging, it refines and deepens the traditional musou formula, letting something behind compared to other installments, Dynasty Warriors Origins builds a solid foundation for the series' future.Recommended for action game enthusiasts in general, even those who have previously overlooked the musou genre; Origins might just change their minds.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a welcome return to form for a franchise that's felt stagnant as of late. It strips Dynasty Warriors back to all of its best fundamentals with a fresh approach to narrative and progression that delivers on the promise and core power fantasy of this franchise.

A bold evolution of the musou genre, offering spectacular battles, refined combat, and a more tactical depth, though limited by having only one main character, an underwhelming protagonist, and covering only half of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms story.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins offers a strategic and immersive evolution of the musou genre. The introduction of “Large Forces” in battles and “Assault” mechanics keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging, preventing it from falling into monotony. The option to customize the protagonist and experiment with a wide array of weapons further enhances the experience, adding variety and depth. However, its impact on progression remains limited unless players invest time in fully exploring the available options.

Dynasty Warriors Origins is easily the best title in the franchise yet. Its responsive gameplay and deep levelling systems are complemented by a compelling story with twists, turns and interesting characters.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins marks the revival of a legendary saga, blending the frenetic action of the musou genre with fresh ideas that bring both depth and innovation. In this installment, large-scale battles reach a new level thanks to the impressive number of enemies on screen and strategic tactics that make every move count. With a more refined narrative, a charismatic protagonist, and an interactive map that ties the Three Kingdoms together, this title delivers an experience that sets a new standard for the franchise. If you're a fan of the series or a lover of epic action, this is a game you can't afford to miss.

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.

As a fan of the Dynasty Warriors series since the PlayStation 2 era, I can confidently say that Dynasty Warriors Origins is the best mainline game in the series. Needless to say, I eagerly anticipate the release of a new Dynasty Warriors: Xtreme Legends.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is still a game about beating up an obscene amount of opponents, now with a personal motivation behind it all. With new tools that diversify combat, the Dynasty Warriors franchise seems to have finally found the ideal path to continue cultivating the genre it created.

Dynasty Warriors Origins is a new formula that dares to take risks, and we think it's going to pay off! To reach a wider audience, it was certainly necessary to break with the codes that kept the series somewhat stuck in the past. Here, new players will have the opportunity to discover the world of the 3 Kingdoms and the advantages of a “Musou”-style game, while fans will rediscover what made the series so strong: its story, its satisfying gameplay and its generosity. Technically, the title is very solid, packed with content, beautiful at times and, above all, generous. We regret the absence of the free mode, which didn't cost much to install, and the uneven graphics. Origins is a great new departure for Koei Tecmo, and 2025 is off to a great start with a game that's sure to be one of the best action games of the year!

We can now say it : Dynasty Warriors is a license that has come a long way, a very long way even. After a decade of going around in circles, multiplying episodes that don't care and failed attempts to do like the West with its poorly put-together open worlds, the saga ended up getting lost. But neither Koei Tecmo nor the Omega Force studio gave up, and after a good bit of soul searching, the two entities were able to identify the choices to make to make this saga shine again, which has been reborn from its ashes. Thanks to producer Tomohiko Sho, Dynasty Warriors Origins was able to take a 180 degree turn, without denying its fundamentals. We are still dealing with a massive, brutal and enjoyable beat'em all on the surface, but which has been able to refine its gameplay in order to make it more demanding and even more satisfying.

Purists may feel let down by Dynasty Warriors Origins. Admittedly, the focus on a single character, the limited number of weapon types, and the lack of multiplayer are significant drawbacks. However, the final result more than justifies these sacrifices. With Origins, the series is finally taking steps back in the right direction (and into modernity). It boasts the most competently told story in the franchise, significantly improved gameplay, and an unprecedented sense of scale. If this is the new direction for the series as a whole, it could easily thrive for another 25 years.

Dynasty Warriors Origins puts the musou genre back on the map, so that those who haven't given it a chance can finally decide to do so. Despite not revolutionizing the scene and ending up being somewhat repetitive, the narrative, gameplay and technical innovations of this installment make it worth returning to Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is an amazing and much-needed reboot that the franchise needed while keeping its whole identity and foundation intact.

I may not be a Dynasty Warriors aficionado, but I’m confident enough to say that Origins may just be what the hardcore fans were waiting for. It also serves as a friendly beginner’s point if you’re getting into the series from playing all of its spinoffs. While it may have some minor issues, they’re all addressable with a patch, and I hope that Omega Force can take all the positives from this game and provide the much-needed boost in recognition that the series deserves.

Ultimately I’m of two minds about Dynasty Warriors: Origins. On one hand, it’s a re-evaluation of the Musou formula that’s persisted, and in many ways stagnated, over the years. The changes made to how Omega Force’s winning action formula are presented and executed are stunning. On the other hand, sacrificing multiplayer and a character roster are dramatic compromises for this series, and are impossible to just brush aside. It feels like, in the pursuit of trying something different, something crucial was sacrificed. Origins is a fantastic action game by almost any measure, which will soak up dozens of gameplay hours with ease. But if multiplayer is part of your core concept of what Dynasty Warriors is, or the reason you show up, then you’re going to have to sit this one out. Or try it anyway, because it’s really good.

Dynasty Warriors Origins isn’t just a high point for the series, it has the potential be a whole new beginning for its relevance and popularity. While I’m a huge fan of the series, my favorites have never been the mainline entries set in Ancient China. I’ve always preferred the Sengoku Japan-set Samurai Warriors series, or their many licensed entries, like One Piece Pirate Warriors and Zelda Warriors. However, Omega Force has successfully reshaped their flagship title, and perfected the formula – I just hope they’re able to spread this accomplishment around, and elevate their other franchises that deserve the same attention.

Dynasty Warriors: Origin offers thrilling gameplay, wild combos, and massive-scale battles that define the series. However, the game's incomplete story is a noticeable blemish. It feels as though a significant chapter is missing, leaving players with unanswered questions and a sense of dissatisfaction. Despite this narrative flaw, the core combat loop remains incredibly engaging.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a declaration of intent by Omega Force, a very brave renewal of a saga that is already legendary. With a renewed combat, an enriched narrative and a technical section to the height has come to revitalize the musou genre.

Dynasty Warrior Origins kicks a genre that has been stalled for too long. The musô comes out of its niche to tickle the curiosity of a wider audience, without forgetting its roots. It is a logical evolution of an old formula that still refuses to let go of its foundations, but accepts modernity. Result, the game drags its old demons like redundancy, intrinsic to the genre that we find in force here, or graphics below the standards. But the rest takes a facelift, with more advanced narration, efforts of staging and especially a will to do in the great show. It works like a dream, the game is complete, generous and super fun. In many ways, it impresses and turns out to be extremely exhilarating. If you were a fan of musô before, you will enjoy it. If you were curious, but never dared to take the plunge, this Dynasty Warrior Origins is the perfect gateway, go for it.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins looks like a good work on mistakes after the failed ninth installment.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins masterfully reinvigorates the musou genre by returning to its roots in some ways — and taking bold risks with established mechanics. It pays off at almost every juncture. While the large roster of playable characters is gone for now and it's certainly missed, by honing in on what truly matters for the genre Koei Tecmo has refreshed an experience that desperately needed it. The result is a more focused, more engaging and simply more fun action title that makes this reviewer very excited for the future of the genre.

Our so-called "Guardian of the Peace" concludes their journey with a body count nudging six figures. [Issue#407, p.100]

Dynasty Warriors: Origins puts you in a unique outsider position to influence Romance of the Three Kingdoms to your liking. It gives nuance to characters and lets you see parts of the story in a new light. The visuals are gorgeous and the experience is more immersive than before. That said, it’s still the familiar musou combat and you shouldn’t encounter many surprises. If you haven’t touched a Dynasty Warriors game before, or haven’t played one for a while, this is the perfect opportunity to jump in.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins greatly reduces the scope of playable characters by concentrating on a single protagonist, but with access to a huge arsenal at his disposal and an entertaining campaign from start to finish. The game once again stands out for its good story, beautiful visuals and great combat system, but the repetitiveness of the missions and the fact that the protagonist is overshadowed by all the historical characters in the series, such as Liu Bei, Cao Cao, Diao Chan and Guan Yu, prevent Koei Tecmo's hack and slash from reaching its full potential. Even so, the game shines with its gameplay, captivating plot and delivers the best title in the franchise since Dynasty Warriors 4.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins gives us back the strongest and most basic premise in videogames: it's a kind of fun that makes you want to pick up the controller and invest hours in it. On top of that, it fulfils one of the promises made by Koei Tecmo, to present something new from a series that was already well known for a formula that became more boring and stagnant with each iteration. It does, however, fail to deliver on some quality elements for players, and the pace of the game is often overwhelmed by a slow story that takes its time to develop. But make no mistake, once you've finished the campaign, there’s enjoyment to be had as many times as you have enemies to face.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins breathes fresh life into the franchise with exciting battles, diverse weapon mechanics, and a story that deepens connections with side characters. While the avatar feels generic and emotionless, the ability to switch weapons keeps gameplay engaging and less repetitive. Despite minor frame drops, the 1v1,000 concept remains addictive, making this a solid return for the series.

Dynasty Warriors Origins may only be a small step for action games, but it's a huge leap for musou. Omega Force has finally created a title that harnesses much of the immense potential of this unique action subgenre—a game where the flow of battle influences gameplay more than ever, where a bit of strategic thinking is required, and where difficulty progression is truly satisfying (as well as incredibly scalable). Of course, to achieve this, the team had to start from scratch in many aspects, losing some important elements along the way, first and foremost the variety provided by the character roster. Even with its flaws, however, Origins remains a valuable and crucial action game, as it could serve as a solid foundation for all future titles in the genre. It was about time.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a very good video game, recommended for all those interested in the genre and who are eager to annihilate thousands of enemies with devastating moves. Both for new and old players of the franchise, the title is positioned as a more than outstanding proposal.

Larger in scale but more intimate in story, Dynasty Warriors: Origins brings armies of thousands upon thousands of warriors to battle it out on screen. Battles feel more realistic than ever, while the focus on the early ages of the Three Kingdoms brings a much needed refreshing view of a well known story.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is not only the best entry point for newcomers, but one of the best offerings the series has had in recent memory. The intimate zoomed-in story portrays the Three Kingdoms figures as likeable and complex characters with compelling motives. Combat can be hit or miss, but there's no denying the unmatched scale and spectacle of the 1-v-1000 battles.

Addictive in its repetition, Dynasty Warriors: Origins appears simultaneously as a synthesis and a new beginning. Certainly, the rating will seem high for players resistant to the muso formula, who will likely not see enough evolution to change their judgment of the franchise. But Omega Force significantly corrects its trajectory after a disastrous ninth episode and reassures its followers with generous content, palpable technical evolution, and a refreshing new approach nonetheless. A very good installment.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is the revolution long-time fans have been waiting for, but it doesn’t come without compromises. The new entry in the musou series serves as a perfect starting point for newcomers, while still offering enjoyment to veterans and genre enthusiasts thanks to an updated combat system, a level of graphical fidelty finally in line with modern standards, and a solid amount of content. The story is told with a maturity unseen in the series, and despite the protagonist’s lack of charisma, it remains engaging for most of its duration. The absence of co-op mode and the removal of the large playable cast are tough pills to swallow, but Omega Force and Koei Tecmo have clearly made an effort to innovate. While it doesn’t quite shake off some fundamental issues of the genre, Dynasty Warriors: Origins marks a significant step forward for the series and provides a great foundation for its future.

Dynasty Warriors Origins keeps giving the more you ask. Koei and Omega Force flex their mastery of large scales battles, their vision of frantic combat and of the Three Kingdom story before going the extra mile with a perfectly implemented post-game.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a solid addition to the franchise. It's not the newest numbered game in the series, but I enjoyed it more than Dynasty Warriors 9. It has a solid core set of mechanics and some really excellent level design. The only thing holding it back is that the focus on a single character and a relatively smaller number of weapons makes it feel empty compared to the games it will likely be compared to. If you're a fan of the franchise, there is a lot to like in Origins, and it's the ideal starting point for newcomers who want to get into the Romance of the Three Kingdoms part of the Warriors franchise.

A lot of Dynasty Warriors: Origins is done well and that should be a welcome change for fans. The game supersedes Dynasty Warriors 9 in many aspects and captures the intensity and realism that made the series so well known. Working as both an action title and a history lesson, all wrapped up to enjoy even after credits roll, despite the long introduction and repetitive elements. As one of the first titles of 2025, Koei Tecmo has started it off real strong. Overall, Dynasty Warriors: Origins is addicting, exhilarating, and a mighty good time.

In many ways, Dynasty Warriors: Origins is the series at its best. The gigantic, jaw-dropping battles, the tense wartime drama, the player-driven power trip — it's a thoroughly impressive return to form for a franchise that came so close to dismantling itself seven years ago. Origins isn't just some water-testing spin-off — this is both an evolution of the formula and a fantastic realisation of what Dynasty Warriors has always strived to be.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins succeeds in both reinventing and rediscovering the bombastic thrill of a series that had drifted from its path. Veterans will likely feel disappointed with some of the personalisation changes and smaller character pool, but Origins delivers the incredible thrill of 1 vs 1000 clashes. With a deepened combat system and brilliant level of performance, Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a welcoming spectacle for returning fans and newcomers alike.

Ultimately, diving into big battles over and over again still gets tiring, but Dynasty Warriors: Origins executes those battles so well that I don’t mind. Seeing hundreds of enemy soldiers fly back from my swings is still wonderfully satisfying, and Origins does it better than almost any other game in the series. The seven years spent developing a bunch of successful spin-offs has allowed Omega Force to experiment, and now Dynasty Warriors: Origins feels like a fantastic reboot and second wind for the mainline series. Dynasty Warriors is back.

Dynasty Warriors Origins is an incredibly confident and successful revamp of a series that desperately needed it, offering up the most absurdly satisfying ‘1 vs 1,000’ gameplay backed up by surprisingly nice visuals, rock-solid performance on console, and a belter of a soundtrack. The core Warriors identity remains intact, but the change to a sole playable protagonist does end up feeling like quite a strange choice in the end.

A mostly bland story and a lack of additional playable characters are the major faults with Dynasty Warriors: Origins. It is the most polished, mechanically rewarding, and technically impressive game in the series so far, and an easy pickup for fans of the franchise, provided they're open to new ideas like the parry system and original, single lead. And if you've never been into Dynasty Warriors in the past, it's worth taking the leap with Dynasty Warriors: Origins—you might just learn what all the fuss is about.

Overall, Dynasty Warriors Origins is a fantastic starting point for those new to series like I was. The storytelling felt concise and easy-to-follow, the gameplay was endlessly entertaining, and it never felt like I was stepping into unknown territory, so I could learn and experiment with no fear.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a step forward in the evolution of the Musou genre, which had become somewhat stagnant. Greater emphasis is placed on storytelling and character interactions, though the protagonist feels rather bland. Gameplay-wise, it introduces tactical RPG elements to refresh the formula and delivers more dynamic and visually engaging combat. While there is room for improvement, it is highly enjoyable.

While Dynasty Warriors: Origins is not a complete reboot of the franchise it still offers enough new elements to make it a great starting point into the series. The big battles are still the strongest part while the main story is interesting enough. The story of the protagonist is rather boring though and the character often feels completely out of place in the retelling of the history of the Three Kingdoms. The main battles are grand and exciting but everything else can start to feel rather boring after a while. With that said it still offers a fun “Dynasty Warriors” experience on modern hardware.

Enjoyable at first, Dynasty Warriors: Origins loses momentum with a dull story, repetitive late-game missions, and a slow, exhausting final stretch, but the game has a fun and engaging combat.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins marks a strong return for this historic series, with battles more epic than ever and a noticeably more concise narrative. If only the protagonist had more depth to truly carry his personal story.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a fun action game to start 2025. If you’re a fan of the previous entries in the series, this is a great pickup to continue the momentum. If you’ve never played a Dynasty Warriors game, Origins can still be fun but you may want to wait until it’s available on sale. The action will keep you hooked, but you’ll want to look away from the screen during the boring story scenes. 2025 is set to be a big year for gaming, and Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a great way to start things off.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins revitalizes the series by returning to its roots with modernized graphics, enhanced combat mechanics, and a richer narrative, delivering the ultimate power fantasy on the battlefield. While the lack of co-op mode and occasional mission repetitiveness may be drawbacks, the game remains a must-play for hack-and-slash enthusiasts.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins will surely appeal to franchise fans, as it returns with all the action we expect from the series. However, its repetitive nature and lackluster story may drive away potential newcomers.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is an ambitious game that forcefully pushes the reset button after the failings of Dynasty Warriors 9. It's a marked improvement on that game in almost every area, utilizing modern technology to expand upon its hack-and-slash core while implementing a more considered and action-oriented approach that enhances its exorbitant combat. Longtime fans are likely downtrodden by its minuscule roster and lack of co-op, and the story has a habit of clogging the game's pacing with too many redundant conversations, but these shortcomings mostly fade into the background once you're entrenched in the heat of battle. At that moment, there are few sights better than a dozen peons hurtling helplessly through the air.

Dynasty Warriors Origins is heading towards the right path to revitalize the gameplay actions and presentations, but the numerous corners cut in the lore and character roster will sour the experience for long-time fans.

At its core, Origins is a Dynasty Warriors game through and through. The delightful rhythm of a successful combo, the irresistible chaos of a large-scale battle, and the thorough satisfaction of a well-executed strategy are all perfectly intact. If you've ever enjoyed a Warriors game, or even thought you'd enjoy a Warriors game, you'll find a lot to love here. In these regards, Dynasty Warriors: Origins makes a more than worthy successor.

If you're a lover of the musou genre, this is a must-have title for you. But if this is going to be your first time playing this type of game, it's good to know that repetition and "routine" combat is part of it. In any case, you will feel like a truly "unique" hero.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins represents a commendable yet contradictory effort to rejuvenate the series. In balancing familiar elements with new features to create a refreshing experience, it loses sight of what made the originals fun and fails to improve on what made them monotonous.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is one of the best disappointments I’ve ever played. The groundwork it lays could’ve been the basis of a genuinely amazing Dynasty Warriors game, but this one is so obvious about its corner cutting, and conflates “realism” with a lack of personality. The huge battles are impressive, general combat’s rather fun, and the parrying system works way better than I thought it would, so there’s a good wad of stuff to enjoy. I just wish Origins was an actual Dynasty Warriors game and not something so flavorless.

It offers a refresh for the Dynasty Warriors series by adding several technical and gameplay layers, such as parrying, counterattacks, and RPG elements, all without sacrificing the core Musou feel of frenetic and tactical arcade action. It's a modern take on the classic Musou formula; while its graphics aren't top-tier or aiming to be a benchmark, that's clearly not the focus. Its greatest strength lies in its gameplay: battling hundreds of enemies on fields where the slightest decision can make the difference between victory and defeat.

Origins isn't the kind of game that will significantly win over new players and it has some problems that may bother veterans, but it's a solid foundation on which to build a new era.

Koei should have kept the story more compact and focused more on the mysterious protagonist instead of a quarreling China. My recommendation: If you love the Warriors series, get the game - there's a lot to like. But if you don't have a clue about Chinese history, don't play it. There are games in the Warriors series that are much easier to get into.

A middle of the road, B-tier serving of polygonal slop that, while decked out with some power fantasy-satisfying grand-scale combat, quickly turns into a repetitive slog with very little in the way of a meaningful pay off.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins will offer enough for fans, but won't blow the minds of new players or series regulars. The scale of the game's battle and rock solid performance are impressive, but there's little to write home about outside of that.