DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS

While Origins offers some scary prospects for longtime fans, it shakes off the specters of past failures and delivers something completely new that invigorates the series.

Starting at $69.99Buy now

Get on Steam

Get on Xbox Games Store

Get on PS Store

"DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS" is an action game that lets you experience the classic 'DYNASTY WARRIORS' series from its beginning. Pre-ordering the game gives you access to a collaboration costume, while early purchase includes a soundtrack with 191 tracks from the franchise's history. However, be aware that bonus content and early purchase periods may vary and could be offered later.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,275 reviews

story105 positive mentions

grinding24 negative mentions

The game features beautiful graphics and well-rendered cutscenes that enhance the storytelling experience.
The combat system has been revamped, making it more engaging with mechanics like parrying, dodging, and a variety of weapon types.
The morale system adds depth to battles, making the player's performance impactful on the overall outcome.

Players can only control the main character, limiting the roster of playable characters and customization options.
The game lacks co-op and multiplayer modes, which were enjoyed in previous titles.
Some players have reported frequent crashes and performance issues, particularly during battles.

story
422 mentions
25 % positive mentions
73 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The story in "Dynasty Warriors: Origins" is noted for its immersive and detailed narrative, featuring real-time rendered cutscenes that enhance engagement. Players appreciate the depth of character development and the ability to make choices that impact the storyline, although some express disappointment over the linearity and lack of character customization. Overall, the game is praised for revitalizing the familiar tale of the Three Kingdoms with fresh perspectives and emotional depth, making it a standout entry in the series.
- “The story is much more detailed and engaging than other musou titles.”
- “The cutscenes are beautifully rendered, and the voice acting brings the characters to life, making the story an engaging journey from start to finish.”
- “The story has a surprisingly rich narrative, complete with plenty of cutscenes that give it a Final Fantasy vibe.”
- “The game ends with the end of the story; after that, if you want to play, you must replay the battles that you have already completed, and this is very frustrating. It's different from the previous part that allowed you to create your own character and play as a ruler or general, or even become an emperor, marry, and have children.”
- “The content just doesn't seem to be there, and the storyline was not engaging to me at all.”
- “The story is rather simple; in fact, I think the story takes a back seat on this one while the combat takes center stage here.”
gameplay
232 mentions
34 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Dynasty Warriors: Origins" has received widespread acclaim for its significant improvements and fresh mechanics, blending classic hack-and-slash elements with strategic depth. Players appreciate the revamped combat system, which includes parry and dodge mechanics, as well as the ability to command troops, making battles feel more immersive and impactful. While some fans miss the extensive character roster and customization options, the overall experience is described as polished, engaging, and a nostalgic return to form for the series.
- “The gameplay feels polished, with an incredible blend of action-packed combat and strategic elements that longtime fans will appreciate.”
- “The gameplay is the best it's ever been, and the focus on one character and the beginning of the Three Kingdoms instead of the whole thing really allows them to flesh out the time period and do smaller but still relevant battles.”
- “The revamped mechanics make each character feel distinct, with unique abilities and movesets that encourage diverse playstyles.”
- “The gameplay seems standard for Dynasty Warriors.”
- “Normal gameplay boils down to blindly attacking until you see a parry window (which is very generous).”
- “The musou genre, a type of action gameplay where the player controls a character capable of vanquishing numerous adversaries with a single strike on a dynamically evolving battlefield, frequently receives criticism for its repetitive game mechanics.”
graphics
105 mentions
44 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have received widespread praise for their beauty and modern aesthetic, marking a significant improvement over previous entries in the series. Many players noted the visuals as stunning, with smooth performance and high frame rates, although some pointed out minor issues like shadow quality and occasional crashes. Overall, the graphics are considered a highlight, contributing to an engaging gameplay experience that appeals to both long-time fans and newcomers.
- “The graphics are amazing; I run a 4060 without HDR and it still looks great, so I can only imagine what it would look like with the settings pushed to the max and HDR on.”
- “Great action, killer soundtrack, beautiful graphics, super fluid and smooth.”
- “The graphics and artwork are beautiful; some of the mechanics are new, but it's not a struggle to get used to.”
- “Graphics also look like they are from 2018.”
- “Visuals feel pretty dated.”
- “The graphics are nothing to write home about.”
music
104 mentions
54 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its energetic and epic soundtrack that perfectly complements the gameplay. The blend of new tracks and remixed classics from previous installments creates a nostalgic yet fresh auditory experience, enhancing the overall excitement of battles. While some players noted issues with volume levels, the consensus is that the music is a standout feature, elevating the game's atmosphere and engagement.
- “The soundtrack is absolutely phenomenal, be it new tracks or remixed old ones.”
- “The music complements the action perfectly, blending traditional Chinese instruments with modern orchestration to create an epic auditory experience.”
- “With amazing, fresh new tracks (the new main theme goes so hard) and remixes of older tracks, the music is absolutely peak.”
- “Each installment more or less has included the same cast, concepts, and music, and each has been chasing the magic that is DW2 and DW3.”
- “Disappointed I can’t use the classic soundtracks during stages.”
- “Pretty sure this isn't early access, and it doesn't have the feel or emotional soundtrack of the originals, so it's rather disappointing.”
optimization
41 mentions
44 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has received largely positive feedback, with many users reporting smooth performance across a range of hardware, including high-end and low-end systems. While some players experienced minor stuttering or performance issues, the majority found it to be one of the best-optimized Koei Tecmo titles to date, capable of running at high resolutions without significant frame drops. The game's ability to handle large numbers of on-screen troops without crashing further highlights its strong optimization.
- “The optimization is amazing and it runs super well on my low-end PC; the fact the game can generate so many troops on screen without my game crashing is nuts.”
- “Game is very well optimized for what I played and I had no issues or anything so far, which is great because as of late it feels like developers don't care anymore and just push out unpolished garbage expecting AI (DLSS or FSR) to fill the void in performance.”
- “Great optimization which makes the game run smooth on any system really.”
- “I hope the developers are aware of these optimization problems because, apart from this, the game is excellent.”
- “For reference, I have tried every possible fix: adjusting all in-game settings, enabling frame rate limits, v-sync, dynamic rendering, DLSS, AMD performance optimization settings, lowering graphics settings (including textures), and even tweaking configurations in my GPU's control panel.”
- “Performance wise, it's a pile of shit.”
grinding
28 mentions
4 % positive mentions
11 % neutral mentions
86 % negative mentions
Overall, players have mixed feelings about the grinding aspect of the game. While some find it tedious and repetitive, especially with the need to level up various character attributes and skills, others appreciate the optional nature of grinding and the ability to replay battles for better results. The game offers a balance where grinding can enhance gameplay without being overly necessary, allowing players to engage with it at their own pace.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Unfortunately, that also gets bland due to repeated grinding of various progression types.”
- “Some of the grinding fights do get a little repetitive when I ran into a random fight that used the exact same stuff (baddies, map, and map gimmick).”
- “A bit grindy, frankly a bit too grindy, but if you can look past the 'farm for gear levels to get boosts in power' hiccup it is well worth it.”
stability
15 mentions
53 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
47 % negative mentions
The game's stability is mixed, with reports of frequent freezing issues occurring shortly after battles, despite overall good optimization and performance on platforms like Steam Deck. While many players find the gameplay enjoyable and smooth, the presence of significant glitches and bugs, particularly during cut scenes, has led some to experience frustrating interruptions.
- “Everything is well optimized and the game runs great.”
- “Runs great for a fresh release with no issues so far, even in very large battles.”
- “Runs great and gameplay is satisfying.”
- “There is a very problematic glitch that freezes the game usually within 5-10 minutes of a battle start.”
- “Very fun but freezes a lot for me.”
- “Game freezes randomly while audio continues perfectly fine.”
emotional
13 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game has been praised for its rich and immersive storytelling, which adds significant depth to character arcs and enhances the overall experience. Players have noted a nostalgic and heartfelt connection to the characters, with many expressing that the game evokes strong feelings, including bittersweet emotions during key moments. However, some criticism exists regarding technical issues that detract from the emotional engagement, highlighting a desire for optimization to fully appreciate the narrative's impact.
- “Each faction’s storyline feels rich and immersive, with emotional depth that I haven’t experienced in a Dynasty Warriors game in years.”
- “Koei Tecmo decided to take the Dynasty Warriors formula and turn it into a heartfelt character-driven tragedy that puts all those multi-hundred-million dollar AAA titles to shame.”
- “40 hours in: this story has no right being this emotionally gripping, not what I expected at all, and I love the change.”
replayability
13 mentions
23 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the variety of characters, missions, and alternate routes that enhance replay value, others express disappointment over the limited modes and lack of customization options. The campaign's linearity and reliance on grinding detract from the experience, leading to uncertainty about long-term engagement.
- “Replayability: with a wide array of characters to unlock and master, numerous missions and side quests, and multiple difficulty levels, Dynasty Warriors Origins offers immense replay value.”
- “Game mechanics increase as the story progresses, and the post-game has replay value.”
- “What’s exciting is the inclusion of alternate routes, allowing you to explore different outcomes and adding replayability to the game.”
- “Though fans of the series will instantly notice a lack of modes outside the campaign, I personally don't have enough time with the game, but other people mention that there's little replayability once you play through the story, which is a bit different than past titles.”
- “It makes me doubt the replayability of this game.”
- “Unsure about replayability: there are grinds, but custom battles or some sort of other content would have been nice.”
character development
11 mentions
55 % positive mentions
18 % neutral mentions
27 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the deeper storytelling and polished character designs, others feel that the overall development is lacking, particularly in terms of character depth and customization options. The game successfully captures a youthful aesthetic and nostalgia, but it may not fully satisfy those seeking more mature or complex character arcs. Overall, the character design is praised, yet the narrative depth varies among players' experiences.
- “The game dives deeper into storytelling and character development while still keeping the satisfying, chaotic battles the series is known for.”
- “Mechanics are smooth, character development is surprisingly amazing. I wish there were more customization options, but I haven't had this much fun with a DW game since the DW3 & DW4 days as a kid.”
- “The game delves deeper into the early events of the three kingdoms period, offering a more detailed narrative and character development.”
- “There’s a strong premise here, but a lack of character development hampers the storytelling.”
- “I'm not super keen on the younger/beautification of the character designs, and I haven't played enough to see if they actually have an older age model, but I assume they must because they start out as 20-something boy band types.”
- “Every cutscene, every character design, every line of dialogue in this game embodies a 14-year-old boy's idea of what is cool.”
humor
4 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is noted for its blend of absurdity and character depth, with players finding amusement in the quirky portrayal of characters like Zhang Jiao, who are given more complexity than in previous installments. Additionally, the contrast between the grindy systems and the desire for more customization options adds a layer of irony that players find entertaining. Overall, the humor enhances the experience, making the gameplay feel both engaging and lighthearted.
- “Now, on to the so-called positive changes (according to these hilarious reviews):”
- “As funny as it was to have Zhang Jiao be goofy for so long, characters like him and others have greater depth to them that reintroduces them in new lights that weren't usually there in the DW series.”
- “Good combat, music ... so funny.”
atmosphere
4 mentions
75 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is a modern reinterpretation of classic dynasty warriors themes, featuring gritty battlefields and a more immersive war environment. Enhanced by a deeper combat system and tactical elements, the dramatic atmosphere is complemented by less exaggerated character personalities and well-executed difficulty levels, creating a more engaging experience.
- “This is a modern take on the old dynasty warriors theme and atmosphere, featuring gritty battlefields and classic swords and spears. The martial arts-inspired movesets are complemented by a much deeper combat system, skill developments, tactical warfare, and a well-crafted battlefield atmosphere, with less emphasis on anime character personalities, engaging story presentations, and well-balanced difficulty levels.”
- “The atmosphere of the battlefield is dramatic.”
- “Now, the atmosphere of war is more immersive.”
monetization
3 mentions
67 % positive mentions
-67 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game features a straightforward monetization model with no additional in-app purchases or microtransactions, providing a complete experience upon purchase. Reviewers praise it as a flawless release, highlighting its lack of bugs and impressive visuals.
- “No additional in-app purchases are required, so once you buy the game, that's all you need.”
- “There are no bugs, the game looks great, and there are no microtransactions as of release.”
- “The monetization model is frustrating; it feels like the game is designed to push players towards spending more money.”
- “I was disappointed to find that the game has numerous paywalls that hinder progress unless you spend extra.”
- “The in-game purchases are overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend.”