Dynasty Warriors: Origins, releasing January 17, 2025, is a fresh start for the long running hack-and-slash series. This latest entry seeks to combine spectacular action with tactical warfare with changes in combat mechanics and in the narrative approach. Does it reinvent the wheel or does it venture too far into its own ambitions?

Combat and Weaponry in a Fresh Light

What really sets the game apart is the combat system, because it features nine very different weapons with their own strengths. Each weapon, from the crowd clearing twin pikes to the prerequisite of the chakrams, feel purposeful and satisfying to use throughout play.  

The addition of Battle Arts systems completes this experience with the ability to customize your fighting style to your heart’s content. Because this layer of personalization can be more strategic and tailored, it’s a much powerful and important layer of personalization.

The variety of this weapon wisely fills the emptiness of the series’ typical character lineup, allowing players to explore a battlefield situation in various ways. It doesn’t matter if you prefer the speed of the classic sword, or the rhythmic juke of the infinite staff, the combat stays interesting throughout the campaign.

The Wanderer’s Tale: A Mixed Narrative Approach

The Wanderer is a amnesiac warrior that doesn’t ‘have to’ be aligned with specific factions, and players take on that role. While this set up has cool narrative possibilities, it feels almost flat on first watch.  

It’s weighed down with 30-50 hour campaign populated with lengthy cutscenes and huge amounts of dialogue. Though meant for context, they sometimes break the rhythm of the story.

There’s some replay value from the fact that you get multiple endings based on some key decisions you make during the last third of the story. While the Wanderer provides you with free choice and, to a degree, allows you to choose your own path, the narrative often feels disconnected from it all as a result of being a passive observer to major historical events.

Tactical Depth vs Historical Authenticity

Origins brings us a more complicated take on how to wage war. No longer viable is simply charge through enemy ranks, players must wage a careful battle over battlefield positioning, protecting key allies, and coordinate with your army. The second layer was morale system, where keeping army morale matters for winning.

Some mechanics, though, are at odds with the game’s historical setting. You can fight against the quest-giver’s army as you complete training quests, and defeated generals will more often than not come back unexplained. These moments don’t just break up the game—indeed they can undermine the game’s attempts at historical authenticity.

Should You Play Dynasty Warriors: Origins?

Origins is a solid gameplay loop that for them offers a good amount of tactical depth, for gamers who like action combat. With its detail in weapon variety and combat mechanics, each fight stood for hours of interesting gameplay.  

The fast paced gameplay between managing personal heroism and strategic army management make the game a success. It also results in a sense of balance that’s satisfying and exciting.

The plot, however, will quash those looking for a strong story. The story also doesn’t always try to connect player choices to historical events, instead leaning towards disconnect and inconsistency. Even the repetitive side missions, and frustrating fail conditions can ruin the whole experience.

Newcomers will love Dynasty Warriors: Origins, and if you are already familiar with the series there are enough new mechanics to keep you keenly interested. It’s not perfect at every moment of the experience, but if action fans are willing to delve the right way down, it’s worth exploring those core combat and tactical depths.  

It’s £65/€80/$70 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. If you’re looking for engaging battlefield action then it is a solid option.

Final Thoughts

Cutting your way through ancient China’s most famous conflicts is just be prepared to overlook some narrative inconsistencies and repetitive elements. If you can just tune out the story as a loose justification for your adventures, and just focus on the satisfying combat, strategy, and rewards, you’ll have a lot to enjoy in this latest edition of Dynasty Warriors.