The beloved Dynasty Warriors franchise is set to return in 2025 with the release of Dynasty Warriors Origins, marking a long-awaited comeback after the last main series installment, Dynasty Warriors 9, launched in 2018. Koei Tecmo has been providing incremental updates about the upcoming title, which promises a revamped gameplay experience designed to more accurately reflect the epic scale of battles set in ancient China. However, there are concerns among fans regarding a narrower selection of playable characters in Dynasty Warriors Origins, which may disappoint veteran players of the franchise.
Long-time enthusiasts of the Dynasty Warriors series have historically favored the extensive variety of characters and their unique weaponry. Many consider Dynasty Warriors 8, along with its Xtreme Legends expansion, to be the pinnacle of the series, featuring roughly 80 characters, each equipped with distinct weapons. Despite Dynasty Warriors 9 introducing additional characters, the title did not resonate positively with fans, primarily due to the diminished variety of unique weapons following the introduction of the State Combo action system.
In the upcoming Dynasty Warriors Origins, the action mechanics will revert to the familiar Charge Combo system that has been a staple in the majority of the series’ entries. This system allows players to execute various powerful attacks depending on their position within the normal attack sequence. Nonetheless, criticism has emerged from dedicated fans as Omega Force has suggested a further decrease in the number of available unique characters and weapons.
During live presentations at Tokyo Game Show 2024, it was hinted that Dynasty Warriors Origins will feature only nine of the 94 characters that appeared in Dynasty Warriors 9. Producer Tomohiko Sho indicated that most of the excluded characters, like Lu Bu and Diaochan, would only serve as minor NPCs in the game’s battles and cinematic sequences.
Consequently, Sun Shangxiang is expected to be the sole female character participants can control in Dynasty Warriors Origins. Furthermore, many established characters will not be under player control for an extended period, as Omega Force intends for them to accompany a newly introduced protagonist, serving as the player’s avatar throughout the storyline.
Additionally, Sho mentioned that the new male protagonist will only be customizable in terms of naming. Conversely, one might argue that this decision was essential for differentiating the game from Team Ninja’s Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, which already features a customizable main character set in the same historical Three Kingdoms backdrop.
The apparent reduction in character options for Dynasty Warriors Origins could potentially be linked to Tomohiko Sho’s influence, having succeeded long-time producer Akihiro Suzuki. Sho previously led Dynasty Warriors 6, which is often viewed as one of the lower points in the series, as it completely excluded several fan-favorite characters from Dynasty Warriors 5, including Da Qiao, the wife of Sun Ce.
Although Sho previously assured that no unique characters would be omitted in Origins, the presentations at TGS indicated that this guarantee only pertains to characters involved in events leading up to the Battle of Chi Bi (Red Cliffs) in 208 AD. Hence, any characters introduced after this major confrontation will be left out entirely.
Moreover, during one of the TGS streams, Sho implied that Cao Cao’s son, Cao Pi, might be absent in Origins, which could create inconsistencies within the game’s character roster and its narrative. A gameplay showcase at TGS 2024 confirmed that Cao Pi’s future wife, Zhenji, will indeed be present in the Battle of Guandu, which occurred in 200 AD.
While Zhenji may not capitulate to Cao Cao’s forces right after this battle, the Romance of the Three Kingdoms chronicle depicts Cao Pi as involved in his father’s siege of the Yuan clan’s capital, Ye, in 204 AD, eventually marrying Zhenji. If it turns out that Cao Pi is entirely absent from Dynasty Warriors Origins, this could undermine the portrayal of these crucial historical events, conflicting with Producer Sho’s promise of an enriched depiction of this era’s narrative.
In earlier games of the Warriors franchise, Koei Tecmo typically responded to concerns regarding character availability by releasing downloadable content transforming certain NPCs into playable characters. However, as of the latest updates from TGS 2024, the studio has yet to announce a season pass that would usually contain such enhancements.
Previously, Koei Tecmo and Omega Force undertook a similar revamp of character and weapon lineups in Samurai Warriors 5. By branding the new title as Dynasty Warriors Origins, they seem to acknowledge the need to clearly signify this installment as a reboot.
Nevertheless, while Omega Force focuses on enhancing the presentation of battle sequences and diversifying weapon move sets, these efforts might be rendered ineffective if long-time enthusiasts, who have formed connections with iconic characters, opt to withdraw their support due to a disappointing character selection.
Dynasty Warriors Origins is scheduled for release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC globally on January 17, 2025.
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