Dynasty Warriors: Origins Review: A Reinvention Done Right

Dynasty Warriors: Origins became one of my most anticipated games after getting to go hands-on with it late last year. The good news is that Koei Tecmo has completely delivered on its promising revamp of the series. The bad news? Well, there isn’t any. The game is great and some of the most fun I’ve had in an action game in years.

While the Dynasty Warriors series’ reputation as a button-mashing extravaganza has always been reductive (try playing on a higher difficulty and getting away with that), there is no doubt that the gameplay is a much more fulfilling experience in Dynasty Warriors: Origins. This comes from the enemies’ AI being much more aggressive and the newfound importance of parrying attacks in order to counter and gain an advantage in combat. Facing off against important historical officers in battle feels truly monumentous rather than just another exchange, as going up against a foe like Lu Bu is straight-up terrifying in Origins and a true test of skill.

This more in-depth combat gels well with the traditional Dynasty Warriors battlefields, as stages have a renewed emphasis on tactics. The main character has the ability to see the field from a bird’s eye view and also see through magic attacks, so you’re able to easily see how the battle is going, who needs help, and so on. There’s also some light puzzle solving, as you’ll have to destroy the source of spells in order to turn the tide of some battles. This combination gives the fights a unique feel, as it has the depth of a character-action game, yet that is only one element that is needed in a successful battle.

The story mode is a real delight, even if it has a relatively generic beginning as you play a warrior with amnesia. However, the lack of memories allows the character to be a good vessel into the time period as he meets key figures (although the time covered is about half as long as a typical Dynasty Warriors game — leaving prime space for a sequel or expansion). The best moments are definitely the boss fights, as they feel momentous and far outside of the series’ typical norms. There’s a level of spectacle here that was typically reserved for the Warriors spin-offs, and it’s great to see it included in the core series.

While the main character isn’t very customizable, you do have plenty of options in how you approach each battle. There’s an array of different weapon types for you to master, just like in previous games (although I’m exceptionally basic and prefer just using a longsword). There are also horses and skill trees to level up, stat-altering orbs to craft, and items you can buy to improve your chance in battle.

After you advance in the story mode, you also get the ability to choose a companion to bring into battle. You’ll get the option to switch over to this other character, who are ultra-powerful and really deliver the signature Dynasty Warriors power fantasy that fans have come to expect. As much as I enjoyed using the game’s original character, the chance to use some of the great historical figures from past games was a true delight.

It’s also worth noting that the entire package is exceptionally well presented. There’s an adorable diorama-like overworld that you venture across, finding items and optional skirmishes where you can level up your character. It gives a great look at how vast China is without getting bogged down in a realistic open world and focusing on the actual battles. It’s a good middle-ground after the prior game failed to craft a compelling open world.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins Review: Final Verdict

With a rehauled gameplay and a more honed focus on storytelling, Dynasty Warriors: Origins is the best Dynasty Warriors game ever made. While the lack of multiplayer and customizability options are sure to irk some longtime fans, the much-improved story mode and combat easily make up for it. Whether you’re a series veteran or a newcomer, Origins is well worth checking out and the first truly great game of 2025.

Disclaimer: This Dynasty Warriors: Origins review is based on a PS5 copy provided by the publisher. Played on version 1.001.000.