Dynasty Warriors: Origins PS5 Review 8.5/10 "Battle Grows Where My Wanderlay Goes" 🪖⚔️ @koeitecmoeurope @s_sangokumusou

The last time I played a Dynasty Warriors game was Dynasty Warriors 2 on the PlayStation 2 around 25 years ago. Now at the time of playing it on the PS2, I loved it at first but after a while, the repetition wore away at my enthusiasm for it. In 2021 Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires was released but it came out to a lukewarm reception as it went down a more strategic route for the gameplay elements and this didn't seem to hit well with the target audience. 4 years on and we have a new Dynasty Warriors on the next-gen consoles and I'm glad to say it doesn't disappoint!

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a refreshing take on the long-standing Musou franchise which has clearly been developed with love for the series by Koei Tecmo and Omega Force. In my opinion, this game stands out as one of the best examples of the genre I've ever played and offers a compelling mix of over-the-top 1vs100 action and some intriguing storytelling (play it with the Japanese dub with English subtitles like I did and you will be transported into the character of the wanderer immediately)

Set in the early years of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the game introduces a new protagonist, a wandering traveller with amnesia (I named my guy Wanderlay). This familiar video game trope is given a fresh twist, as the character's journey to recover their lost memories intertwines with the epic battles and political intrigue of the Three Kingdoms era.

The game's narrative is delivered through some excellent-looking and sounding cutscenes, all of which are voiced, which really adds to the immersive experience. The story covers only the first half of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which allows for a more detailed and engaging exploration of the characters and events.

The thing that hit me immediately when I booted this up on my PS5 was the graphics. Visually, the game is stunning, with a nice set of performance options that include an FPS option for up to 120 fps for those with compatible monitors or TV sets.  The developers have aimed to have an astonishing 10,000 soldiers on-screen at once. While this might not always be the case, the game handles large numbers of NPCs without any visual slowdown as you dance around the battlefield delivering death and glory combo by combo and sword hit by sword hit!

Obviously, the core gameplay remains true to the tried-and-tested Dynasty Warriors Musou formula, with 'Wanderlay' taking on hordes of enemies in massive battles. The combat system is deep and satisfying, with a variety of weapons and skills to master. Each weapon has its own unique move sets and skill trees, allowing for plenty of experimentation and customization.

SUMMARY

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is truly a triumphant return to form for the series which benefits from taking it back to basics whilst combining the best elements of previous DW games with some new flavours, making it a must-play for both fans of the genre and Dynasty Warriors newcomers alike.

Right, I'm off to go one on one with 50 deadly blokes, now where did I put my Halberd?