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I wouldn’t call myself the biggest Dynasty Warriors fan, but I played several titles in the series during my childhood. I can still vividly remember exploring the war-torn world of the Three Kingdoms and aiding the three factions. It was always fun to run around the battlefield, cutting through waves of enemies. Unfortunately, as I grew older, I gradually lost interest in the series. There were several reasons behind this choice, but I eventually decided to give Omega Force another chance with the release of Dynasty Warriors: Origins. Looking back, I think that was one of the best decisions I made this year.
A Piece of My Childhood
When I was a kid, I had little choice in which games I could play since my father was the one who purchased them. Fortunately, he picked several Dynasty Warriors titles that I played religiously on my PlayStation 2. As I was new to gaming, I didn’t enjoy playing difficult games with a lot of challenges. Dynasty Warriors was the perfect introduction to gaming because it was easy for my young mind to grasp: just whack enemies until they surrender, and you win.
Another thing that made me love Dynasty Warriors was its co-op feature. We didn’t have many multiplayer games, so Dynasty Warriors became our first choice. I can still remember cooperating with my sister as we worked together to win battles. I also vividly recall being chased by Lu Bu across the battlefield, screaming for my sibling to help me as he relentlessly pursued me.
Unfortunately, I eventually stopped picking up the series. It wasn’t a conscious choice; I simply had other options, and my interest shifted to Kingdom Hearts and other franchises. Whenever the name Dynasty Warriors came up, I never felt much desire to replay the games or try a new title.
The main appeal of the series is its setting in the Three Kingdoms era. However, while that premise is its biggest draw, it’s also its greatest limitation. After consuming so many Chinese historical stories, including novels, I’ve frankly had enough of it, so I didn’t feel much interest in revisiting the Three Kingdoms.
Returning to Its Roots
Many years passed before my interest in the Three Kingdoms returned. I was more than ready to give the series another shot, but after seeing Dynasty Warriors 9’s poor reviews, I decided not to pick up the game. However, when I heard that Dynasty Warriors: Origins would be released in 2025, I knew I had to buy it.
Although the game is still set in the Three Kingdoms, Omega Force decided to add an original protagonist. While some fans doubt this decision, I think it’s a great move by the developer. While the major plot points remain faithful to history, I find it fun to see the ripples created by our silent protagonist. It’s also exciting to see what Omega Force will do with this original subplot. Although an amnesiac protagonist is a common trope, I still enjoy seeing Ziluan interact with the historical characters.
Thankfully, Omega Force ditched the empty open world they attempted in Dynasty Warriors 9. Instead, Dynasty Warriors: Origins features a semi-open world where you can explore the map as a giant version of yourself. It’s akin to the exploration found in traditional JRPGs, such as Dragon Quest.
Besides enjoying the hack-and-slash gameplay, I also appreciate how much more personal Dynasty Warriors: Origins feels. The other games I’ve played feel quite distant since you don’t follow the journey of a single character. While this approach makes the story feel grand, it also makes it harder to get attached to any one character.
By following Ziluan’s journey, it’s much easier to relate not only to the protagonist but also to the historical characters. It feels less like you’re just watching a reenactment of historical events and more like you’re immersing yourself in the real experience of a person living in a historical era.
Despite the doubts surrounding Dynasty Warriors: Origins, I believe Omega Force has created a great game. Besides returning to its roots as a Musou game, the developer also reinvents some aspects of the long-running series, making it feel fresh. This soft reboot is just what the series needs, and I hope we’ll see more of it in the future.
