We’d like to thank Koei Tecmo for sending us a preview build of Dynasty Warriors Origins for this coverage of their highly anticipated upcoming title. After spending 7 hours with the game, exploring its revamped mechanics and mythological twist, it’s clear that Dynasty Warriors Origins offers a refreshing take on the iconic franchise.

The game takes players on a journey beyond the familiar Three Kingdoms narrative, blending dynamic combat, deeper customization, and a new mythological direction. Here’s a closer look at what makes this entry in the series so exciting.

A Fresh Storyline with Depth

In Dynasty Warriors Origins, you play as a wanderer charting your own path, aligning with factions like Shu, Wei, or Wu, depending on your choice. Unlike previous entries, the story shifts its focus from the intricate Three Kingdoms narrative to the protagonist’s personal journey within that larger framework. Initially a forgotten figure, your character’s mysterious past gradually unravels as you progress through the game, adding a layer of personal discovery to the historical backdrop.

While Dynasty Warriors Origins retains its core focus on the Three Kingdoms era, the addition of mythological elements introduces a fresh twist. Zhang Jiao’s expanded role is especially notable, as it ties into the protagonist’s journey.

A mysterious woman, Zhuhe, guides players through their journey, further entwining the personal and historical narratives. The game feels akin to Nioh or Wo Long, where the protagonist’s past and their journey are crucial to the unfolding story.

The first chapter introduces Liu Bei and the Shu faction, but soon, players meet other key figures such as Cao Cao (Wei), Sun Jian (Wu), and Dong Zhuo, who plays an important role in Chapter 2.

Soulslike Combat Mechanics Meet Classic Action

While our Dynasty Warriors Origins preview at TGS 2024 only let us experience one stage, this deeper playthrough gave us a stronger grasp of how the game works. With this in mind, combat in Dynasty Warriors Origins takes a more dynamic and challenging turn.

While the series’ iconic hack-and-slash action remains at its core, newer addition of Soulslike mechanics bring a level of precision and strategy to battles. Players must time their parries, dodges, and counters carefully to deal with unblockable attacks from enemies. Even standard soldiers have been given more aggressive AI, posing a credible threat especially in groups. Meanwhile, archers strategically attack from a distance, forcing you to manage spacing and reaction times more than ever.

Boss battles truly set this game apart from its predecessors. The Zhang Jiao encounter, for example, leans into action RPG territory, moving away from the series’ traditional “plow through waves of enemies” formula. Featuring multiple attack phases and increasingly aggressive patterns, these fights test your adaptability and skill.

It’s a far cry from the old days of mowing down elite enemies or officers with ease, but the satisfaction of overcoming a challenge feels even more rewarding—while still bringing back the thrill of hearing those classic “enemy officer defeated” lines from our beloved character of choice.

More Freedom, More Depth Through Character Customization

Gone is the open-world format from Dynasty Warriors 9: Empires. Instead, Origins returns to the classic stage-by-stage progression that the series is known for but introduces an overworld map that encourages exploration. Fast travel points, side quests, and collectibles like Pyroxenes and Old Coins enrich the experience, allowing players to farm resources or level up before tackling the main story.

Customization is at the heart of Dynasty Warriors Origins. Players can choose and master up to 9 weapons weapons when the game releases but for this preview, we were only able to test out 5 weapons which were swords, spears, gauntlets, wheels, and podao, each offering unique combos and playstyles. A skill tree adds further depth, letting you unlock abilities to suit your preferred approach.

Weapon proficiency also plays a key role, unlocking exclusive skills as you gain mastery. This increased weapon variety, combined with the skill customization system, offers a level of depth not seen in previous Dynasty Warriors titles. This ensures that no two playthroughs need to be the same.

Additionally, collectible Pyroxenes allow players to craft gems that grant passive abilities. For example, Scorch gems increase damage after successful parries, adding strategic depth to character progression.

Venture and Discover – Side Quests and Rewards Await

Building on the overworld map point introduced earlier, the overworld map in Dynasty Warriors Origins is more than just a means of getting from point A to B—it’s packed with side quests, hidden treasures, and resource-gathering opportunities. From helping townsfolk to battling powerful bandits, completing these tasks rewards you with skill points, rare loot, and valuable upgrades.

Towns scattered across the map feature inns where you can refine your weapons and abilities, as well as shops for trading items, making exploration both essential and rewarding in your Origins journey.

Final Thoughts: A Promising Start

After spending 7 hours with Dynasty Warriors Origins, we’re already eager to dive deeper. The game successfully blends the traditional stage-based progression with fresh elements like the overworld map and robust customization, creating a well-rounded experience. The story’s more personal direction, set within the familiar Three Kingdoms narrative and enhanced by a mythological twist, keeps things fresh and engaging. Meanwhile, the challenging Soulslike combat mechanics ensure players stay immersed in the action.

We do have some curiosity regarding the story’s length. The developers mentioned that the narrative currently only takes players up to the Battle of Red Cliffs (or Battle of Chibi), leaving us wondering how much content will be available in the final release. Nevertheless, the preview left us impressed with the depth and variety on offer, and we’re excited for the full game.

Be sure to try out the demo starting November 22 and experience it firsthand! The full Dynasty Warriors Origins is slated for release on January 17, 2025, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC via Steam. If you haven’t already, check out our other coverage on the game, including an exclusive interview with the game’s producer, Tomohiko Sho, here.