Dynasty Warriors: Origins: A New Challenge on the Battlefield

In the latest addition to the Dynasty Warriors series, Dynasty Warriors: Origins, the gameplay has been intensified with tougher and more formidable enemies. This shift in difficulty comes directly from the game's producer, Tomohiko Sho, who instructed his team with a striking directive: "This time, go and kill the player." This bold approach aims to enhance the realism and intensity of the battlefield experience, making it a thrilling challenge for players.

Programmed To "Go And Kill The Player"

In an insightful interview with PlayStation.Blog, Producer Sho discussed the development process behind Dynasty Warriors: Origins. The decision to make enemies stronger was driven by the desire to inject a sense of realism into the game. Sho explained that not only is the player character fighting for survival, but so are the enemy soldiers and generals. This creates a more immersive and engaging experience on the war-torn battlefield.

Despite the increased difficulty, Sho emphasized that the goal was not to make the game unnecessarily hard. Instead, the aim is to provide players with satisfying challenges that they can overcome and feel proud of. He noted, "Even if you're not that good at action games, if you learn them in order, you can play comfortably and feel a sense of success." Balancing the traditional exhilaration of defeating hordes of enemies—a hallmark of the "musou" genre—with the gritty realism of war was a significant challenge for the development team.

Returning To Its "Origins"

One notable change in Dynasty Warriors: Origins is the absence of a numerical title, breaking away from the series' conventional naming system. If it had followed the traditional format, the game would have been called Dynasty Warriors 10. This shift to a non-numbered title marks a significant departure in the franchise's history.

The "Origins" in the title underscores the game's focus on the first half of the classic Chinese novel, The Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Unlike previous titles that covered the entire narrative, Dynasty Warriors: Origins concentrates solely on the events leading up to the Battle of Chibi, also known as the Battle of the Red Cliffs. In an interview with TheGamer at the 2024 Tokyo Game Show, Sho elaborated, "We really wanted to be thorough and intense in telling this story; it’s one of the epic points, so we’re only focusing on up until that point."

Dynasty Warriors: Origins marks the first major installment in the series in seven years. It is based on The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which chronicles the tumultuous events of Han Dynasty-era China, blending historical and fictional elements. The game introduces an original protagonist, the Nameless Hero, who navigates the sprawling landscape of China amidst competing factions vying for control.

Released on January 17th, Dynasty Warriors: Origins is now available on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. For a detailed review of the game, be sure to check out Game8’s analysis.