Dynasty Warriors: Origins presents itself as an ambitious reboot of a long-lived series, with the promise of revolutionizing the classic “one against a thousand” formula that has characterized the franchise for almost thirty years. Developed by Omega Force and published by Koei Tecmo, the game positions itself as an ideal entry point for newcomers, while still attempting to please long-time fans with more complex tactical gameplay and a fresh perspective on a familiar story.
From a technical point of view, Origins is the most impressive chapter in the series, with improved graphics and optimization that guarantees fluidity even during the most chaotic battles. The combat system, while maintaining the essence of Musou, introduces new mechanics such as larger enemy forces, which significantly increase the number of soldiers on the screen, and the bar that allows you to unleash powerful special attacks. These additions help make battles more intense and strategic, requiring the player to carefully evaluate their moves and adapt to different situations.
However, the most controversial innovation is the choice to focus on a single main character, Ziluan, a customizable warrior who replaces the vast roster of playable characters from previous chapters. While Ziluan’s customization offers a high degree of freedom in defining your own playstyle, his lack of personality makes him an uncharismatic substitute for the series’ favorites. The plot of Origins traces the events of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, focusing on the first half of the story. The narrative, divided into five chapters, stands out for some moments of great emotional intensity and political intrigue, but suffers from a certain incoherence, alternating engaging phases with more predictable ones.
The introduction of a Persona-style bond system allows you to deepen relationships with secondary characters, adding depth to the plot and making the alliances and betrayals that characterize the Three Kingdoms period more significant. Unfortunately, Ziluan’s personal story, centered on an overused narrative cliché such as amnesia, is not very original and does not live up to the epic historical framework in which it is inserted.
In between battles, the player can explore an RPG-style world map, gathering materials, completing side quests, and interacting with NPCs. Despite the apparent freedom of movement, the map is not a true open world, with new areas that progressively unlock as the story progresses. The secondary missions, while offering a fair variety of objectives, tend to repeat the same scenarios and types of enemies, risking becoming repetitive in the long run.
Ultimately, Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a title that tries to balance tradition and innovation, with mixed results. The new combat system and the greater emphasis on strategy represent a step forward compared to previous chapters, but the choice of a customizable protagonist instead of the traditional cast and a plot that does not always live up to expectations may disappoint some fans. Despite its flaws, Origins remains a fun and satisfying experience for fans of the Musou genre, offering hours of frenetic action and epic battles.
Format: PS5 (tested version), Xbox Series X/S, PC Publisher: Koei Tecmo Games Developer: Omega Force Vote: 7/10
