The enduring appeal of Dynasty Warriors can be summed up in a straightforward manner: Slashing through hordes of opponents, much like a heated knife slicing through butter, is incredibly satisfying. It’s an exhilarating power fantasy where each strike of your weapon sends enemies flying in all directions, with the kill count climbing into the thousands. For nearly a quarter of a century, this fundamental formula has remained largely untouched, cultivating a devoted, though niche, fanbase. Dynasty Warriors 9 aimed to innovate, but its transition to an empty open world was a miscalculation that didn’t resonate with the series’ core charm. However, Dynasty Warriors: Origins, as the name suggests, is a return to the roots of the franchise, focusing on the massive, action-packed hack-and-slash gameplay Dynasty Warriors is renowned for, while incorporating several clever new features that rectify the shortcomings of Dynasty Warriors 9.
If you haven’t encountered it before, Dynasty Warriors is a game series inspired by Luo Guanzhong’s 14th-century novel, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and the historical events it portrays. The games often take creative liberties with the source material for added flair. In contrast to previous installments that span the Three Kingdoms period from 184 AD to 280 AD, Origins concentrates on the early stages of the story, starting with the Yellow Turban Rebellion and concluding at the Battle of Chibi. A unique aspect of this game is its narrative perspective, presenting itself as a story about an amnesiac warrior encountering legendary figures like Guan Yu, Dong Zhuo, and Lü Bu for the first time. This setup seems tailored to welcome new players, making the series’ rich history and beloved characters more accessible for those diving into the franchise for the first time.
Despite the fact that long conversations might become repetitive and slow down the game’s pace at times, fans of the series will find that Omega Force has delved deeper into the early events of the Three Kingdoms than ever before. They have placed a stronger emphasis on storytelling and character development, making even minor characters more complex and significant moments more impactful. However, this approach can also be a double-edged sword, as some conversations may feel overly similar or lack substance, detracting from the overall narrative and your understanding of the diverse cast of characters.
The central narrative of Origins, focusing on its memory-losing protagonist, is less compelling than the Three Kingdoms saga, resorting to tired tropes and foreseeable turns. This shift towards a solitary hero has a more noticeable effect on Origins’ hack-and-slash gameplay than its storytelling merit. While Dynasty Warriors typically offers a vast array of playable characters, with the last installment boasting an impressive 94, Origins presents a single character and only nine playable allies, each serving as powerful backup heroes you can control temporarily before returning to the protagonist. This change, though potentially disheartening for long-time fans, becomes more palatable once you’re immersed in the action.
On the battlefield, Origins delivers an authentic Dynasty Warriors feel, but on a more expansive level than ever. Hordes of characters frequently swarm the screen, with arrows blazing from the sky and commanders dueling spectacularly amidst the turmoil that engulfs everything. It’s a dramatic display of warfare, placing you right in the thick of it, cutting through countless foot soldiers as if they were blades of grass beneath a scythe. In keeping with Dynasty Warriors tradition, it’s both systematic and repetitive, catering to a particular gaming style, offering a peculiar sense of calm as armies disintegrate before you.
Despite having less mission variety since the roster has been reduced, the consistent gameplay remains a core aspect that keeps it engaging. However, deviations from the usual formula are where things get most intriguing. The combat is meticulously crafted, offering smooth controls and a sense of accomplishment with every strike of your weapon, whether it’s your 100,000th or your 1,000th kill. It might not appeal to everyone, but Dynasty Warriors: Origins tries to refresh the series by incorporating elements from contemporary action games.
While traversing the battlefield, you’ll often encounter powerful enemy commanders alongside their troops and bases. In these encounters, the game switches to a combat style focusing on timing and strategic use of your abilities (referred to as Arts). At opportune moments, you can block incoming attacks and retaliate with a strong counterattack that not only feels satisfying but also weakens the commander’s defensive power known as Fortitude. Once this defense is depleted, you can launch an Assault, which involves a series of powerful strikes that inflict heavy damage on the now vulnerable commander.
In certain fights, some attacks can’t be blocked but must be dodged or countered using specific techniques. You can carry up to four distinct techniques into battle, as each weapon class provides a unique selection of these powerful moves. Some techniques are ideal for clearing large areas with wide, forceful strikes – generating strong shockwaves or small whirlwinds – while others excel in close combat situations. Regardless of your choice, techniques add an extra dimension to the fighting system in Origins, often serving as another means to effortlessly eliminate common troops.
As a fan, I must say what truly leaves me awestruck is how seamlessly the shift from these two contrasting battle techniques feels in this game. Origins manages to encapsulate the thrilling hack-and-slash spirit of Dynasty Warriors while innovatively merging gameplay mechanics, resulting in an extraordinary experience that’s both reminiscent and refreshingly unique. It still retains its inherent repetitiveness, but the meshing of combat styles transforms it into a far more captivating and interactive game that soars above being just another power fantasy by the numbers.
The variety of nine weapon types contributes to the abundance of playable characters by offering distinct combat experiences. These weapons range from traditional ones such as swords and spears to unique options like double-ended pikes and curved blades. Each type offers a unique feel, making it easy to tell them apart. For example, the Podao excels at powerful charged attacks, while the Wheels work best when used in a rhythmic sequence. Additionally, you can utilize various Tactics, which allow you to give orders to a group of soldiers, directing volleys of arrows and cavalry charges to overwhelm your opponents.
This often involves a focus on strategic decision-making across various missions, where you’re granted the autonomy to evaluate the circumstances and determine where your assistance would be most effective, whether it’s supporting an ally, seizing strongholds, or eliminating officers on the battlefield. The successful recapture of bases and the defeat of officers significantly boosts the morale of your troops, turning them into highly capable fighters who can capture territories independently and offer valuable support in combat alongside you.
In the climactic phases of many missions, an impressive gathering of troops takes place, forming two colossal armies. The ensuing clashes, filled with adrenaline, depict hundreds of soldiers poised to charge into combat, resembling the Rohirrim charging against orcs at the Battle of Pelennor Fields. However, unlike the Rohirrim, you are a lone warrior capable of obliterating numerous troops and demoralizing them further by defeating multiple commanders. It’s unfortunate that there isn’t cooperative play anymore after it was a key aspect in earlier games, as these grand battles seem perfect for sharing with a comrade at your side.
Instead, during Origins’ campaign, you find yourself battling alongside or against figures such as Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and Sun Jian. Initially, as a fresh character, you don’t align with any faction, leading to the early chapters involving joining various forces. From Chapter 3 onwards, however, you are confronted with a crucial decision: you must side with one of these historical figures. This decision splits the game into three separate campaigns, allowing you to replay each one after completion if you desire additional content. However, there’s a risk that the game’s repetition could start feeling monotonous as you progress further.
Dynasty Warriors: Origins represents a bold step forward following the issues encountered in Dynasty Warriors 9. It significantly improves upon its predecessor across various aspects, leveraging contemporary technology to amplify its hack-and-slash essence and introduce a more strategic, action-oriented gameplay style. This revamped combat system adds depth to the experience for veteran players, although some may lament the limited character roster and absence of cooperative mode. Additionally, the narrative can at times slow down the game’s pace due to excessive dialogue, but these concerns often become secondary when you immerse yourself in the intense battle sequences. In those moments, watching a horde of peasants being flung through the air is truly a spectacle to behold.
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2025-01-13 20:09