Dynasty Warriors: Origins ups the ante with significantly tougher enemies. Producer Tomohiko Sho's directive to the development team? "Go and kill the player." This simple instruction dramatically altered the gameplay experience.

A Deadlier Battlefield

Sho, in an interview with PlayStation.Blog, explained the reasoning behind the increased enemy strength. The goal was to inject a heightened sense of realism. The battlefield isn't just a playground for the player; enemy soldiers and generals are fighting for survival too.

While the difficulty has increased, Sho emphasized a focus on rewarding challenges rather than frustrating difficulty. He aimed for a balance, creating a sense of accomplishment even for less experienced action game players. The challenge was to maintain the series' signature "musou" exhilaration while incorporating a more realistic war setting.

A Return to Roots

A notable departure from tradition is the absence of a numbered title. Instead of Dynasty Warriors 10, the game is titled Dynasty Warriors: Origins. This signifies a focus on the early stages of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, covering events only up to the Battle of Chibi (Red Cliffs). In a Tokyo Game Show 2024 interview with TheGamer, Sho explained this decision as a commitment to a more detailed and intense portrayal of this pivotal historical period.

Seven years in the making, Dynasty Warriors: Origins introduces an original protagonist, the Nameless Hero, navigating the power struggles of Han Dynasty China. Based on the classic novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the game blends historical events with fictional elements.

Released January 17th, Dynasty Warriors: Origins is available on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Read Game8's review for a deeper dive!