Return to the Three Kingdoms
Dynasty Warriors, from KOEI TECMO, has been a flagship series for the developers for a long time now. The first game in the series, a one-on-one fighter in the same vein as Virtua Fighter, was released way back in 1997. Yet the game we probably know best in this day and age as a Dynasty Warriors game was that of Dynasty Warriors 2 in the west.
What this attempt to pad out the opening is leading to is the release of the latest entry in the series, DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS. Going back to the beginning, the game is touted as “A new version of the Three Kingdoms from the perspective of an original protagonist” and this pretty much sums up what the game is about. So, get a firm grip on your weapon, it’s time to explore some massive battlefields.
A Nameless Hero’s Journey
The story of DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS is somewhat cliched, to say the least. We play as a nameless hero, not because we are shy or modest, but because we have no memories. I mean, an amnesia storyline is among the most original of the year, isn’t it? Luckily, while we may not know our name or where we come from, we definitely know one end of a pointy bit of metal from the other, and are soon pressed into service as a warrior. From there comes the opportunity to meet and greet a variety of characters, some of whom you’ll remember from earlier games, all before taking on the most massive of tasks – to try and bring peace to the land. What could possibly go wrong?
One thing to mention at this point is that the character conversations that take place can all have a bearing on the bonds that we forge, so much so that they could even influence the story’s end…
Immersive Battles and Stunning Effects
The presentation of the Dynasty Warrior games has always been pretty good, with a host of enemies on the screen at once, all baying for your blood. And you’ll be pleased to hear that nothing has changed in Origins. The battlefields make up roughly 50% of the game, and thankfully the draw distances and amount of foes on the screen are both very impressive. On the other screen that we spend a lot of time on, a world map, the distance shown is again very good.
Enemies wise and Origins treats us to a mixed bunch. Yes, there is a good amount of cookie cutter cannon fodder to wade through, but the officers we have to take down are nicely varied, each requiring different tactics to beat. And the special effects that are unleashed alongside the special moves are deeply impressive, as is the slow-mo intro to the Musou attacks, which are always exciting to watch.
Equally as good is the sound, with fully voiced cutscenes very well done, as is the music. But it’s the battle sounds which excel, complemented by detailed character chat that plays out when we are fighting, explaining who needs help and who is doing well. The cutscenes are well scripted and look great, and all in all the presentation of the game is absolutely bang on.
Hack and Slash Your Way to Peace
But we must speak about how DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS plays and if you have played any of the previous games in the series you will know exactly what is going on here.
The task is to go bringing peace to the world of the Three Kingdoms, one battlefield at a time, each of those which come with its own rules. They largely revolve around defeating huge numbers of foot soldiers, then taking out the officers who lead them, all before rinsing and repeating until the day is won.
Mastering the Art of War
To aid in matters are our allies, and while we are free to range the battlefield as we will, we do have to protect our allies, often finding them facing a desperate battle, left to assist. Luckily, wandering up to an ally on the field of battle will heal them, all before heading off to the next objective.
With my ultra cynical games reviewer head on, I’d say that the action found in DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS can get a bit samey, quite grindy. And each battle has a recommended level; it’s safe to say that trying to attempt one that you aren’t prepared for is a surefire way to lose, mostly as the AI takes no prisoners. However, the more of Dynasty Warriors: Origins you play, the more you’ll get used to the various systems at play and it’s here where things begin to make sense.
One of the things you’ll enjoy with DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS will be the various methods of fighting, as well as the wide variety of weapons that are available for use. Each weapon has a skill level associated with it, and the more you use them the better you get, and this is really good fun. Switching from a pair of gauntlets, through to massive spears and staffs, means there is a lot to get to grips with. Learning the timings of the parries with each subset of weapons is another thing that you must master, and all in all, the combat side of things is very good fun indeed.
Exploring the World Map and Forging Bonds
When you aren’t engaged in battle, there are a lot of things to do and find on the world map; so much so that you can wander around to your heart’s content. There are old coins to find that can be traded for useful items, there are natural resources to find, there are full scale battles and skirmishes to complete; all in addition to finding people that we have met.
You’ll want to get involved in everything too, as increasing your bond with certain allies provides missions to achieve, feats if you will, on the battlefield. These ensure you’ll use weapons that may not usually be considered and are a good introduction to new ways of fighting.
A Worthy Addition to the Dynasty Warriors Legacy?
DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS is a well worked game, with a lot of content to go at. You’ll find hours of fighting just by following the main storyline, yet while it is possible to do this, the real joy of the game comes from wandering around, talking to people and taking on additional missions. The storyline is strong too, and so if Dynasty Warriors is your bag, Origins will be seen as an easy sell. Even if you are new to proceedings, this is a good place to start.
The Links You Need
A Nameless Hero’s Journey: DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS Tells a New Tale – https://www.thexboxhub.com/a-nameless-heros-journey-dynasty-warriors-origins-tells-a-new-tale/
Buy DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS on Xbox – https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/dynasty-warriors-origins/9NH9GCTSC1SV/0017
Grab the Deluxe Edition – https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/dynasty-warriors-origins-digital-deluxe-edition/9MVPFWHXX29X/0017
Or take home a physical version of DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS – https://amzn.to/3DO1kCC
