Dynasty Warriors: Origins

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.