Dynasty Warriors: Origins (PlayStation 5) Review

Initially, Dynasty Warriors: Origins seems to strip back the musou genre to its fundamental parts in order to craft something new from the ashes. Gone is the plethora of playable generals, and in their place is a voiceless, amnesiac protagonist. This may worry ardent Warriors fans, but fear not: what seems like a 'back to basics' approach at first glance in fact hides a remarkable evolution beneath the surface.

The problem of fewer playable characters is navigated by instead giving the protagonist — referred to as 'Ziluan' by other characters — nine different weapons to use, most of which feel satisfyingly distinct from one another. These weapons will be familiar to long-time fans, but all have been revamped to require more from the player. It's much less forgiving of the button mashing that past Warriors games allowed for. The manner in which the hero's abilities and weapons are gradually built out — and yes, there's a skill tree — makes Dynasty Warriors: Origins feel more like a modern action game with RPG elements.

Enemies themselves are much more aggressive, including the canon-fodder grunts. Enemy generals require an approach in combat reminiscent of other modern action games, requiring methodical use of dodges, parries, and counter attacks that feel extremely good in this context. Additionally, battlefield tactics can be deployed to wager a group of allied infantry against the enemy, which can quickly turn the tide of battle when deployed appropriately. The result is a Warriors title that feels remarkably tactical while retaining the carnage of up-close combat, and fills a hole left by the often-shallow musou experiences of the past. Truly, if Origins represents where the genre is heading, then gone are the days where these titles can be called mindless. The combat is impactful, more challenging and, by extension, more exciting.

Another brilliant advancement for the series is in the mission and environment variety, which are intrinsically tied together with the battlefield playing a crucial role in the mission-based structure of the genre. The environments are graphically impressive and diverse, and the battlefield terrain is varied enough that the campaign is easy to binge without burning out. It's the first time in the series' history where the missions have felt consistently fresh throughout, and Koei Tecmo deserves massive credit for finally cracking this issue.

So, it's safe to say that this bold new direction successfully refreshes a formula that has felt over-familiar for over a decade. Origins is the freshest the musou genre has been since its inception in the year 2000, courtesy of Dynasty Warriors 2 (for those who don't know, the original Dynasty Warriors was a classic fighting game). The over-the-top power fantasy which has until now been prone to tedium after long play sessions has given way to a more mindful, more involved and more urgent action game, which retains the joy of the power fantasy while giving the player a renewed sense of agency.

The experience feels more focused off the battlefield, too. Returning Warriors players will recognise many of the series' classic characters in the story, who act as allies or villains, depending on which of the three factions players align with. By following a lone protagonist's journey, Origins gives the story a narrative spark that it's never before enjoyed. Until now, storytelling in Warriors titles has merely served as a backdrop to the action, but the way the familiar tale is told in Origins is a massive step up. It's narratively more cohesive and engaging, likely thanks to the honed focus on the central character.

This isn't to say that the large roster of playable characters isn't missed. Players can still choose a companion character to accompany Ziluan in many of the battles, but this is a poor substitute for the scale-rich formula of the past. Still, the newfound depth in Origins eases this pain somewhat. In this reviewer's estimation, that experience isn't going extinct — it's likely that Origins is merely a reset of the series' priorities, and we'll again see the familiar large rosters in a future numbered entry.

Dynasty Warriors:Origins is a masterclass in revisiting the drawing board to hone in on the priorities of a tired formula. It excels at turning musou tropes on their head and finds ways to make the genre feel both refreshing for long-time players and inviting for newcomers. For players who have been left burnt out by recent musou titles, or even action game enjoyers who are looking for a new expression of the genre, this is an easy title to recommend.