Dynasty Warriors: Origins review

Dynasty Warriors: Origins refreshes hack-and-slash gaming with varied combat but suffers from story pacing issues.

: Dynasty Warriors: Origins reinvigorates the well-known hack-and-slash series with engaging 1v1000 battles set in a historical Chinese setting. The game notably focuses on a singleplayer story mode featuring an amnesiac protagonist amidst a backdrop of historical drama and epic battles. Despite the captivating combat and historical engagement, the storytelling suffers from slow pacing and repetitive side activities. Still, it offers a promising update for both fans and newcomers to the series.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins brings a refreshing perspective to the long-established hack-and-slash genre, introducing players to 1v1000 battles against the historical backdrop of 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms.' It brings a modern twist with improved combat mechanics like responsive parrying and dodging, enhancing player immersion. While the epic battles are complemented by thoughtful storytelling about historical Figures wrestling with leadership challenges, the game is hampered by its amnesiac protagonist whose lack of development serves as a drawback.

Central to the game is the protagonist's journey between the Shu, Wu, and Wei factions, each with distinct leaders like the pragmatic Cao Cao and kind-hearted Liu Bei. Players find themselves making significant decisions by siding with one faction, leading to branching missions and cutscenes. However, some players may be deterred by the extensive, sometimes monotonous campaign, interspersed with less engaging skirmishes and storyline pacing issues.

Incorporating elements such as 'Battle Arts' abilities and 'large forces,' the game enriches its diverse combat encounters yet faces a slowdown due to its overworld side activities. Despite these hindrances, Dynasty Warriors: Origins emerges as a compelling reboot that, if players are patient with its limitations, promises an exciting glimpse into the future of the series. It successfully merges stimulating one-on-one precision combat with the satisfying thrill of sweeping enemy hordes, setting the stage for Koei Tecmo's vision for future installments.

gamingDynasty WarriorsKoei Tecmo