"Dynasty Warriors Dev Team: 'Kill The Player'"

Dynasty Warriors: Origins ups the ante with significantly more challenging enemy waves. Producer Tomohiko Sho's directive to the development team? A simple, yet impactful, "Go and kill the player." This article delves into the design choices behind this increased difficulty.

A Deadlier Battlefield: "Go and Kill the Player"

The enhanced enemy strength in Dynasty Warriors: Origins isn't arbitrary. In an interview with PlayStation.Blog, Sho explained the rationale: injecting a heightened sense of realism. The struggle for survival isn't limited to the player; enemy soldiers and generals are equally desperate.

While boosting the difficulty, Sho ensured the challenge remained fair and rewarding. He aimed for satisfyingly difficult encounters that provide a sense of accomplishment, even for less experienced action game players. The development team faced the challenge of balancing the series' traditional "musou" exhilaration (defeating countless enemies) with the grittier realism of a war-torn battlefield.

A Return to Roots: The "Origins" Title

The absence of a numerical title is a notable departure for the Dynasty Warriors series. Instead of Dynasty Warriors 10, the game is titled Dynasty Warriors: Origins, marking the first non-numbered entry.

This "Origins" designation highlights the game's focus on the first half of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, unlike previous installments which covered the entire narrative. In a Tokyo Game Show 2024 interview with TheGamer, Sho clarified that the story concludes with the Battle of Chibi (Battle of Red Cliffs). The decision stemmed from a desire to deliver a more thorough and intense portrayal of this pivotal historical moment.

Following a seven-year hiatus, Dynasty Warriors: Origins marks the latest main entry in the franchise. Based on Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the game introduces an original protagonist, the Nameless Hero, navigating the power struggles of Han Dynasty China.

Released on January 17th, Dynasty Warriors: Origins is available on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Find Game8's review for a more in-depth look at the game.