Reviews

Dynasty Warriors: Origins has garnered a variety of reviews since its release on January 17, 2025. The game is notable for being the highest-rated entry in the Dynasty Warriors franchise, achieving an overall score of 80 out of 100 on Metacritic, with individual scores of 85 for PC, 80 for PS5, and 78 for Xbox. Here’s a summary of key points from various reviews:

General Impressions

• Combat and Gameplay: Reviewers have praised the game’s combat mechanics, noting that it feels more fluid and frantic than previous installments. The introduction of a Bravery system enhances combat dynamics, allowing players to experience epic battles against large enemy hordes, maintaining the franchise's signature "1 vs. 1000" action. The ability to choose between different weapons adds depth to gameplay, making each encounter feel unique[1][2][7][11].

• Narrative Structure: The story follows Ziluan, a new protagonist, and allows players to align with one of three factions (Wei, Shu, or Wu) as they progress through the campaign. This branching narrative structure has been well-received for its replayability, although some critics have pointed out that Ziluan's character lacks depth compared to established heroes from the series[4][7][8].

Visuals and Performance

• Graphics: The game features improved visuals over its predecessors, with detailed character models and vibrant environments. However, some reviewers noted inconsistencies in graphical quality, with certain textures appearing outdated[2][6][11].

• Performance: Most reviews indicate that the game runs smoothly across platforms, although there were occasional performance hiccups during intense battles on higher settings. The frame rates were generally stable, providing a satisfying gameplay experience even amidst chaos[1][2][10].

Critiques

• Character Depth: A significant point of contention among reviewers is Ziluan's characterization. Many found him to be a bland protagonist lacking the charisma of previous series heroes. This has led to mixed feelings about the narrative's engagement level[4][8][10].

• Repetitive Missions: Some critics highlighted that certain missions felt repetitive and could benefit from more variety. While the combat is engaging, the structure of missions sometimes leads to tedious gameplay experiences[1][4][8].

Conclusion

Overall, Dynasty Warriors: Origins has been lauded as a strong reboot of the franchise that appeals to both newcomers and veterans. Its focus on a single character offers a fresh perspective on familiar stories from the Three Kingdoms era while delivering exhilarating combat experiences. Despite some criticisms regarding character depth and mission variety, it stands out as a significant entry in the long-running series[3][7][9].