Review of DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS for PlayStation 5

DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS, released by Koei Tecmo America and Omega Force, marks the newest chapter in this enduring series, bringing the action to the PlayStation 5. In our review, we’ll delve into everything this exciting game has to offer!

Once again, we’re plunged into the chaos of ancient China during the era of the Three Kingdoms. As the Guanghe era year 6 dawns, natural disasters like droughts have led to widespread famine. Food and water are scarce, and greedy officials are exploiting the situation for their own gain. Thrust into the story, you don the mantle of a nameless hero—someone unwilling to merely witness the suffering around them. As you prepare for this exciting reboot, remember it’s been nearly seven years since the series’ last major installment.

The game features three difficulty settings: Historian, Wayfarer, and Hero. This allows for a range of experiences—from the more relaxed pace of Historian, ideal for immersive storytelling, to the grueling challenges of Hero, best suited for seasoned Musuo veterans. Tailor your adventure further using the Advanced Settings menu. Here, you can tweak battle assistance options, decide how resources like meat buns are used, adjust camera functions, and even prefer performance over graphics—crafting a gameplay experience to your exact liking.

When it’s time to jump into battle, you’ll navigate your character using the left stick and control the camera with the right. Engage enemies with the Square button for regular attacks and Triangle for stronger hits. Time your defenses right with L1 to parry attacks, setting up for stunning counter-strikes. The game offers a rich combat experience, including evasion techniques and opportunities to call for a trusty steed to aid your endeavors.

Make strategic use of the in-game features like Musou attacks and Battle Arts to shift the tide of combat. With these tools, you release powerful attacks capable of wiping out waves of foes. By learning the timing for Musou Rage and Ultimate attacks, you can dominate large swathes of the battlefield effectively.

Your journey will take you to the inn, an essential hub for organizing your quests and managing resources. Here, access letters to gain insights into the broader world, re-equip with potent weapons and accessories, and save your progress for safekeeping. As you grow stronger, your weapon proficiency increases, unlocking new combos and Battle Arts, enhancing your quest for supremacy.

Treasure hunts on the field reveal valuables like pyroxene, pivotal in crafting mighty gems that bestow unique abilities. These enhancements, although limited to one gem at a time, can drastically alter the outcome of fights in your favor.

And for those trophy collectors among us, the PlayStation 5 version comes with a complete set of trophies, including a coveted Platinum. Earning these milestones involves everything from finishing missions and upgrading weapons to reaching combat challenges and mastering the nuances of military strategy.

With its launch on PlayStation 5, DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS promises to push the series to new heights, showcasing improved visuals and leveraging the PS5’s haptic feedback for an immersive experience. Prepare yourself for countless hours of epic battles with vast armies sweeping across impressive landscapes.

Set to release on January 17, this game is priced at $69.99, with a Digital Deluxe Edition available for $89.99, offering additional perks like unique costumes and soundtracks. So gear up, fight your way through history, and savor the glory of bringing peace to China in this latest installment of the DYNASTY WARRIORS saga.

This review of DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS is based on a PlayStation 5 copy provided by Koei Tecmo America.