Dynasty Warriors: Origins Dev Team Was Instructed to “Go Kill The Player”

Dynasty Warriors: Origins: A Deadlier Battlefield

The latest entry in the Dynasty Warriors franchise, Origins, significantly ramps up the challenge. Producer Tomohiko Sho's directive to the development team was simple yet impactful: "Go and kill the player." This instruction shaped the game's combat, resulting in tougher, more aggressive enemies.

In an interview with PlayStation.Blog, Sho explained the reasoning behind this design choice. The goal was to inject a heightened sense of realism into the battlefield experience. The struggle for survival isn't limited to the player character; enemy soldiers and generals are equally desperate.

While increasing the difficulty, Sho emphasized the importance of balanced challenge. The game aims to provide satisfyingly difficult encounters, rewarding players with a sense of accomplishment. He aimed to create a balance between the classic "musou" exhilaration of mowing down hordes of enemies and the brutal realism of a warzone.

Origins marks a departure from the series' traditional numbering system. Instead of Dynasty Warriors 10, the game embraces a new title reflecting its focus on the early stages of Romance of the Three Kingdoms. As confirmed at the 2024 Tokyo Game Show (in an interview with TheGamer), the game's narrative concludes with the pivotal Battle of Chibi. This concentrated storytelling allows for a more intense and detailed portrayal of this crucial period.

Seven years after its predecessor, Dynasty Warriors: Origins introduces an original protagonist, the Nameless Hero, navigating the power struggles of Han Dynasty China. Released on January 17th, the game is available on PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Read Game8's review for a more in-depth analysis.