The latest installment in the beloved Dynasty Warriors series, *Dynasty Warriors: Origins*, introduces a significant shift in gameplay dynamics, as the development team was instructed by producer Tomohiko Sho to "Go and kill the player." This directive has led to a notable increase in enemy difficulty, challenging players in ways that previous titles in the series have not. Dive deeper to learn about these exciting changes!

Programmed To "Go And Kill The Player"

In *Dynasty Warriors: Origins*, the action-packed gameplay is elevated with more formidable and resilient adversaries, following the clear directive from producer Tomohiko Sho: "This time, go and kill the player." In an insightful interview with PlayStation.Blog, Sho explained the reasoning behind this shift. The aim was to inject a heightened "sense of realism" into the game. Not only is the player fighting for survival, but the enemy soldiers and generals are as well, creating a more immersive and intense battlefield experience.

While the game does present a steeper challenge, Sho ensured that it remains approachable. The goal was to offer rewarding challenges that players could take pride in overcoming. "Even if you're not that good at action games, if you learn them in order, you can play comfortably and feel a sense of success," he stated. Balancing the traditional thrill of defeating hordes of enemies—a hallmark of the "musou" genre—with the gritty realism of a war-torn battlefield was a significant challenge, but one the team embraced wholeheartedly.

Returning To Its "Origins"

A notable departure from previous entries, *Dynasty Warriors: Origins* forgoes the series' traditional numbering system. Instead of being labeled as Dynasty Warriors 10, this game marks a new beginning, becoming the first non-numbered title in the franchise's history. The "Origins" moniker underscores the game's focus on the initial chapters of the epic *Romance of the Three Kingdoms* novel, specifically up to the Battle of Chibi, or the Battle of the Red Cliffs.

In an interview with TheGamer at the 2024 Tokyo Game Show, Sho elaborated on this decision. "We really wanted to be thorough and intense in telling this story; it’s one of the epic points, so we’re only focusing on up until that point," he said. This approach allows for a more concentrated and immersive narrative experience.

*Dynasty Warriors: Origins* represents the first mainline entry in the series in seven years and continues the saga based on the Chinese novel, *The Romance of the Three Kingdoms*. The game follows the journey of an original protagonist, the Nameless Hero, navigating through the tumultuous landscape of Han Dynasty-era China, where various factions vie for power.

Released on January 17th, *Dynasty Warriors: Origins* is now available for play on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. For an in-depth look at the game, check out Game8's review below!