Dynasty Warriors devs told: Kill the player

Dynasty Warriors: Origins introduces notably tougher enemy waves this time, with producer Tomohiko Sho directly instructing his team to "Go and kill the player." Discover how this approach reshapes the iconic series' latest chapter!

Dynasty Warriors: Origins Presents Greater Combat Challenges

Developers Directed to Eliminate Players

Dynasty Warriors: Origins elevates its signature action with more formidable enemies under producer Tomohiko Sho's radical directive: "This time, go and kill the player."

During a PlayStation.Blog interview, Sho revealed his design philosophy behind the enhanced difficulty. The strengthened enemy AI aims to create battlefield authenticity - where opposing forces fight as desperately as the player. Though challenging, Sho emphasizes careful balance rather than unfair frustration: "Even novice action players can progress methodically and experience rewarding victories." He acknowledges the delicate balance between maintaining Dynasty Warriors' signature crowd-clearing satisfaction and delivering visceral wartime realism.

A Return to Foundational Storytelling

Breaking series tradition, Origins omits the conventional numerical sequel designation (which would have marked it as Dynasty Warriors 10). This establishes it as the franchise's first non-numbered mainline entry.

The "Origins" subtitle reflects its narrative focus exclusively on the early Three Kingdoms period. During Tokyo Game Show 2024, Sho explained to TheGamer that the story concludes at the pivotal Battle of Red Cliffs: "We committed to intensely detailed storytelling up through this legendary climax." This contrasts with previous titles covering the complete Romance of the Three Kingdoms saga.

As the first mainline Dynasty Warriors release in seven years, Origins follows an original character - the Nameless Hero - through war-torn China's power struggles. The game draws from Luo Guanzhong's classic novel blending historical events with dramatic fiction.

Now available since January 17th on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, Dynasty Warriors: Origins reinvigorates the beloved franchise with its refined combat and concentrated narrative scope.

Explore Game8's comprehensive review of this fresh take on the Warriors formula!