Dynasty Warriors: Origins – Review
OUR RATING: 9/10
The Dynasty Warriors franchise has long been a long running series, known for its epic battles with hundreds upon hundreds of enemies on screen and its historical setting. With Dynasty Warriors: Origins, Koei Tecmo and Omega Force have breathed new life into the series, offering a fresh perspective on the familiar tale of the Three Kingdoms.
Dynasty Warriors: Origins takes a bold step by placing you in the shoes of a mysterious amnesiac protagonist. This narrative choice immediately sets the game apart from its predecessors, offering a unique vantage point on the unfolding drama of the Three Kingdoms period. As I began my journey, I found myself intrigued by the protagonist’s backstory and how it would intertwine with the familiar historical events.
The game’s story spans from the Yellow Turban Rebellion to the aftermath of the Battle of Chibi, covering the first half of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms novel. This focus allows for a more in-depth exploration of the early conflicts and political maneuvering that shaped the era. I appreciated how the narrative gave me the opportunity to interact with younger versions of iconic characters like Liu Bei and Cao Cao, watching them evolve from ambitious youths into the legendary leaders we know from history.
One of the most compelling aspects of the storytelling is how it provides new perspectives on well-known historical figures. Through the eyes of our amnesiac hero, we see nuanced portrayals of characters often painted in broad strokes. For instance, I found myself reconsidering my opinion of the tyrannical Dong Zhuo after seeing events from his perspective. This approach adds layers of complexity to the narrative, making even familiar events feel fresh and engaging.
At its core, Dynasty Warriors: Origins retains the satisfying hack-and-slash combat that has defined the series. However, Omega Force has introduced several new elements that add depth and variety to the gameplay. The focus on a single protagonist allows for a more personalized progression system, with nine different weapon types to master throughout the game.
I found myself constantly experimenting with different weapons, each offering unique combos and special moves. The game encourages this experimentation by tying character progression to weapon proficiency. As I became more skilled with a particular weapon, my character would level up, unlocking new abilities and combat options. This system created a satisfying sense of growth and mastery as I progressed through the story.
The combat itself feels more refined than ever. While you can still mow down hordes of enemies with ease, battles against officer-rank foes require more strategy. The new parry and evasion mechanics add a layer of skill to these encounters, rewarding precise timing and tactical thinking. I found myself genuinely challenged by some of the tougher officers, needing to carefully manage my resources and timing to emerge victorious.
Graphically, Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a significant step up for the series. The character models have been completely overhauled, with impressive attention to detail in both their designs and animations. I was particularly struck by how the characters’ appearances evolve over the course of the story, reflecting their growth from youthful idealists to battle-hardened veterans.
The environments are equally impressive, capturing the diverse landscapes of ancient China with stunning detail. From lush forests to imposing fortresses, each battlefield feels distinct and alive. The game’s ability to render massive armies clashing on screen without any noticeable performance issues is truly impressive, creating a sense of scale that truly befits the epic nature of the Three Kingdoms saga.
Special mention must be made of the game’s visual effects during combat. The flashy moves and area-of-effect attacks are not only satisfying to execute but also visually spectacular. The way the environment reacts to these powerful attacks, with debris flying and grass parting, adds an extra layer of immersion to the battles.
While the visual presentation of Dynasty Warriors: Origins is stellar, the audio experience is somewhat uneven. The soundtrack continues the series’ tradition of blending traditional Chinese instruments with rock elements, creating an energetic backdrop for the action. The battle themes, in particular, do an excellent job of getting your blood pumping as you wade into the fray.
However, the English voice acting leaves something to be desired. Many of the performances feel flat, lacking the emotional depth needed to truly bring these larger-than-life characters to life. This is particularly noticeable during key dramatic moments, where the disconnect between the visual presentation and the vocal performance can be jarring. Fortunately, the option to switch to Japanese voice acting with subtitles is available, which I found to be a much more engaging way to experience the story.
One of the most significant additions to Dynasty Warriors: Origins is the expanded world exploration. Between major battles, you can now freely roam a map of China, taking on side quests, gathering resources, and interacting with various characters. This open-world element adds a new dimension to the game, breaking up the intensity of the large-scale battles with moments of discovery and character development.
I found myself eagerly exploring every corner of the map, uncovering hidden collectibles and engaging in optional encounters. These side activities not only provide a welcome change of pace but also offer opportunities to gain experience, unlock new weapons, and deepen your relationships with other characters. The bond events, in particular, add depth to the supporting cast, fleshing out their personalities and motivations beyond their roles in the main story.
Dynasty Warriors: Origins incorporates more RPG elements than previous entries in the series, adding layers of depth to the character progression system. As you gain experience and level up, you can invest in various skill trees, customizing your character’s abilities to suit your playstyle. Whether you prefer to focus on raw power, defensive techniques, or support abilities, there’s a path for every type of player.
The gem system adds another layer of customization, allowing you to equip passive bonuses that can significantly alter your combat effectiveness. I enjoyed experimenting with different gem combinations, finding synergies that complemented my preferred weapons and tactics. This system, combined with the variety of weapons available, ensures that no two playthroughs will feel exactly the same.
While the main story of Dynasty Warriors: Origins offers a substantial experience, clocking in at around 30 hours, the game doesn’t end when the credits roll. The branching narrative, which allows you to align with different factions, encourages multiple playthroughs to see all sides of the story. Each path offers unique missions and character interactions, providing fresh perspectives on the central conflict.
Additionally, the game offers a higher difficulty level upon completion, challenging even seasoned players to test their skills against tougher foes. The abundance of side quests, collectibles, and character bonds to max out ensures that there’s always something to do, even after you’ve seen the main story through to its conclusion.
Dynasty Warriors: Origins represents a significant evolution for the series, successfully blending its trademark large-scale battles with deeper storytelling, refined combat mechanics, and expanded RPG elements. While it may not revolutionize the musou genre, it offers enough fresh ideas and improvements to feel like a substantial step forward.
The focus on a single protagonist allows for a more personal and engaging narrative, while the expanded world exploration and character customization options provide depth and replayability. The visual upgrades are impressive, creating a vibrant and immersive representation of ancient China that truly brings the Three Kingdoms era to life.
Despite some issues with the English voice acting, the overall package is incredibly strong. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the series or a newcomer curious about the Three Kingdoms saga, Dynasty Warriors: Origins offers an engaging and satisfying experience that’s well worth your time.
For its ambitious storytelling, refined gameplay, and stunning visuals, I give Dynasty Warriors: Origins a solid 9 out of 10. It’s not just a great Dynasty Warriors game; it’s a great game, period, and one that sets a new standard for the musou genre moving forward.