I still remember the first time I picked up a Dynasty Warriors 2 game for PS2 now almost 25 years ago (I still got the original game stored away). I was instantly hooked by the sheer madness of charging solo into a sea of soldiers and laying waste to everything in sight. The franchise’s combination of larger-than-life battles, fast-paced hack-and-slash action, and historically inspired theatrics pulled me in from the get-go. Since then, I’ve played nearly every mainline installment and branched out into the spin-offs—Samurai Warriors, Warriors Orochi, you name it, I’ve probably sunk hundreds of hours into these games…
This latest release of DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS (out on January 17, 2025, for PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam®) has already been receiving an astounding response, with “Overwhelmingly Positive” reviews (95% with 2,383 reviews and counting!) on Steam.
I must say that I am tempted to check it out, either on Steam or PS5.
A Deeper Story
Unlike previous Dynasty Warriors titles where you might pick a beloved officer like Zhao Yun, Lu Bu, or Zhou Yu right out of the gate, Origins hands you the reins of a nameless hero. You’ll still rub shoulders with fan-favorites from the Three Kingdoms era—Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and the like—but this time, you’re forging your own path through iconic battles such as the “Yellow Turban Rebellion” and the “Battle of Chibi.” The game grants you more freedom to shape history. Do you join a certain faction? Do you keep your options open? Your decisions will shift allegiances and outcomes as you fight to bring some semblance of peace to a war-torn land.
To be sure, not everyone was on board with the “nameless hero” option, as many old players were quite used to switch between the old heroes. Personally, I can’t say that I am that much attached to any of these characters, but I do indeed cherish me some diversity in character line-up. Perhaps the rest is coming with DLCs?
The Biggest Battles Yet
One thing that immediately stands out in Origins is the staggering number of troops on the field. This is by far the most crowded Dynasty Warriors battlefield I’ve ever seen. The developers at KOEI TECMO GAMES have poured considerable effort into making these engagements feel chaotic and alive, with squads of enemy soldiers that actually work together (surprise, they finally learned!). You can’t just aimlessly flail your weapon anymore—or you’ll quickly be overwhelmed. Charge forward with your allies, hold the line, and then push through those massive armies of enemies, all while avoiding that dreaded “I’m surrounded, oh no!” moment that every Musou player has encountered at some point.
1 vs. 1,000 Combat, Refined
Don’t fret; that iconic “1 vs. 1,000” style remains front and center—just with better AI and deeper combat mechanics. Bravery is your friend here: the more successful hits you land, the higher your Bravery climbs, unlocking powerful “Arts.” Each weapon class comes with its own set of these flashy maneuvers, so you’ll want to experiment with everything from swords to spears to good old-fashioned fists. And yes, you can still whack entire battalions into the stratosphere with a well-placed heavy attack.
Defense now gets its own revamp. Blocking at the right moment triggers a “Parry” that leaves your opponents wide open for a vicious counterattack. But be careful—certain enemy strikes can’t be blocked, meaning you’ll have to dodge like your life depends on it… because it does. This is a good improvement, and truth be told I can’t really remember if the series ever had a parry mechanic until now. If so, it was so redundant that I played and finished all those games without really using it.
A Grand Journey
When you’re not slicing and dicing your way through hordes of rebels, you’re traveling across a vast world map. Here, you’ll stumble into Missions (like squashing rebellions or rescuing government forces), optional Skirmishes, and occasional pitstops for upgrading your arsenal. Along the way, you’ll forge bonds with both familiar faces and brand-new ones. Depending on your choices, someone like Liu Bei might become a loyal companion or a thorn in your side—and these twists on familiar story beats breathe fresh life into the classic Three Kingdoms saga.
Editions and Final Thoughts
DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS is out now in a standard and Digital Deluxe Edition, the latter including a digital artbook, soundtrack, and some handy in-game goodies to boost your early game progress. If you’re a series veteran like me, you’ll feel right at home among the chaos—but there’s enough new depth here to keep you invested for the long haul. If you’re brand-new to Musou mayhem, well, there’s no better time to wade into the fray.
I was very doubtful about Dynasty Warriors Origins ability to capture that classic Dynasty Warriors feel, and it was a very welcome surprise when I saw how positive the players have been reacting to the game. I was on the fence, especially due to the rather steep price of Origins (it is 80€ for the regular and 95€ for deluxe version here on the Old Continent) but now I am intrigued. Question is, Steam or PS5?
