Let's be honest: "Dynasty Warriors 9" was an absolute flop. Scathing reviews and a mass of disappointed fans caused the Metascore to plummet. With "Dynasty Warriors: Origins", the company is trying to make up for the mistake, pursuing new approaches and aiming to win back old fans and attract new players. Read our review to find out whether they have succeeded.
Going to war with muscle memory
We slip into the role of a nameless wanderer who has lost his memory. However, he seems to have some combat experience, as he still knows how to wield a weapon and prevail against hordes of enemies. So we embark on a journey into a story that has been told many times and in many different ways, but has lost none of its fascination: The Story of the Three Kingdoms tells of the rebellion of the Yellow Turbans, who revolted against the later Han dynasty in 184, ushering in the final division of China into the three kingdoms of Wei, Shu and Wu.
Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a so-called Musou game, in which everything revolves around endless battles against huge hordes of enemies. The special feature here is that you are the unstoppable hero who can defeat entire armies single-handedly. As the blade whizzes through the ranks and the combo counter soars into the thousands, you simultaneously collect experience points, which are essential for the next battle. With every new ability and perk you unlock, your power grows and allows you to perform even more spectacular attacks.
Although the gameplay is far removed from reality, this is precisely what makes the game so appealing. It's not about being realistic, but rather about feeling like an invincible war hero. The epic battles and the feeling of standing alone against hundreds are exactly what Musou fans have loved for years. "Dynasty Warriors: Origins" stays true to this tradition and takes the classic gameplay to a new level with its new features.
In contrast to its predecessors, "Dynasty Warriors: Origins" focuses more on a single, nameless hero that players can customize and develop. However, this does not mean that iconic characters from the series are relegated to the background. Occasionally, we are given the opportunity to control powerful generals such as Lu Bu or Guan Yu and use their unique special abilities in battle. What is particularly exciting is that the familiar characters shine not only through their combat skills, but also through the portrayal of their personalities and relationships with one another. This approach allows even long-time fans to gain new insights into the emotional world of the characters and experience them from a different perspective.
The story itself offers little that is innovative and tells a familiar plot, albeit from a different perspective. The narrative focus is set primarily through numerous dialogs that are intended to build deeper connections between the characters. Unfortunately, the flood of conversations can be tiring at times, which can lead to the plot only being followed peripherally at some point. Nevertheless, this aspect should appeal to die-hard fans who enjoy recognizing old values and familiar faces. Overall, the game succeeds in combining nostalgia with new elements - a balancing act that not every title manages so well.
Soldier, to arms
The team at Koei Tecmo has put some thought into how to avoid repeating the mistakes of its predecessor without changing too much. The core gameplay has been retained and you are still sent onto the battlefield with thousands of soldiers and try to defeat them more or less on your own. New level sections gradually open up until you have captured certain areas or eliminated certain enemies. Although attempts are made to make the missions a little more varied in terms of content, in the end we almost always play the same tape over and over again.
"Dynasty Warriors: Origins" brings a breath of fresh air to the legendary game series and offers fans an exciting new way to conquer the battlefield. For the first time, players can try out different weapons, each with their own attacks and characteristics. Each weapon has its advantages and disadvantages: Some are fast and agile, others have more range or deal high damage. This variety invites you to discover your own style of play and customize your equipment.
The new leveling system adds depth by allowing players to unlock abilities and perks. These upgrades offer strategic advantages in battle and make progressing through the game even more rewarding. Whether you want to go into battle as an agile melee fighter, a heavily armored tank or a skilled ranged fighter - the game leaves nothing to be desired.
In addition to the new gameplay features, the action-packed atmosphere that Dynasty Warriors is known for will of course be retained. With hundreds of enemies on the screen and epic battles, Dynasty Warriors Origins promises not only a feast for fans of the series, but also a successful introduction for newcomers. The combination of classic gameplay and new features whets the appetite for more - and shows that even old legends can surprise again and again.
Away from the battlefield, we move more or less freely around the world map as an oversized giant, talk to other characters or can visit other cities to interact with traders, for example. The one or other small side task can also be found here. This is intended to give the player a feel for traveling and give them a feel for the geography of China. It's a nice idea, but it's doubtful whether this is the big hit. A "real" open world with a few details and exploration options would probably have done the game more good.
All in all, some points have been reconsidered and adjusted to make the game more attractive again. The battles are very action-packed, but also require skill in defending, dodging and the right attack tactics. Unfortunately, the individual missions are not very varied and a few more mission types would have been desirable.
Breathtaking battlefields in ancient China
Graphically, "Dynasty Warriors: Origins" has gone one better. The title runs on the PS5 Pro with a good 120FPS, while the "normal" PS5 also delivers an appealing 60FPS. Even with the large number of enemies on the battlefield, the performance hardly drops, but remains stable at a high level. The battlefields have been very lovingly designed and offer many details and beautiful elements. Detailed environments and dynamic weather effects bring ancient China to life.
The soundtrack of "Dynasty Warriors: Origins" is an absolute highlight and combines powerful rock music with traditional Chinese instruments. This mix creates a dynamic and atmospheric backdrop that perfectly captures the intensity of the battles and immerses players even deeper into the action. Whether thunderous guitar riffs or soft, melodic tones - the soundtrack always strikes the right chord and adapts seamlessly to the action on the screen.
The voice acting, in either English or Chinese, gives the characters more personality and brings out the authenticity of the dialog. Although some passages seem a little exaggerated - a trademark of the series - it is precisely this dramatic tone that underlines the epic atmosphere of the game.
The successful interplay of music, voice output, story and gameplay creates a harmonious whole. Everything feels coherent and motivates you to fight another battle - or two.
Conclusion
English 
German