Origins – Hands-on Report – PlayStation.Blog

January 17 brings Dynasty Warriors: Origins, an exciting new addition to the Dynasty Warriors franchise, to PlayStation 5, and we recently had the chance to play the tactical hack-and-slash action ahead of its release.

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The gripping tale of an ‘unsung hero’

Dynasty Warriors: Origins follows the drama of China’s Three Kingdoms period, from the Yellow Turban Rebellion to the Battle of Red Cliffs. At the beginning of the game, the main character is caught in a battle with Guan Yu against the troops of corrupt officials. The Yellow Turban Rebellion was never portrayed in detail in previous parts of the series. Still, this game delves into the origin and suffering of the Yellow Turbans, as well as the perspectives of each general belonging to the defeated troops.

The struggle to choose a side amidst a host of compelling warriors and heroes

The protagonist is a traveling martial artist suffering from amnesia. However, his body still remembers how to handle weapons, allowing him to exercise his skills tactfully in each battle. Since he is not loyal to a particular kingdom or sovereign, he can deepen ties with various forces and join them on the battlefield. But the protagonist must ultimately face a crucial choice – whether to serve and support the aspirations of Cao Cao, Suan Jin or Liu Bei. All three are brilliant fighters, which makes the choice even more difficult.

All three are exciting and you will develop special bonds with them throughout the story. Deciding who to support becomes even more difficult as each one will woo you to join their side. After thinking long and hard, I ultimately chose to support Liu Bei since I had fought alongside him from the very beginning of the game. It’s a tough decision, as choosing one side means you’ll have to cross blades with those you once fought.

An even more exciting and joyful hack-and-slash action

In this game, players will not only enjoy the exciting ‘1 vs 1,000’ gameplay with easy-to-learn controls that are characteristic of the Dynasty Warrior series, but also large-scale tactical battles that are equally exciting and rewarding.

As in the previous entries, you can dominate regular enemies by mastering the combination of fast normal attacks and powerful, strong attacks. However, renowned generals and commanding officers are surrounded by a protective aura called Fortitude, which prevents you from taking significant damage. To deplete the enemy’s strength, the player must target an opening after an enemy’s attack, utilize Battles Arts, a set of unique moves available for each weapon, or Parries, a powerful counter that leaves the enemy vulnerable.

Dominate your enemies with Musou attacks and companion attacks

Powerful Musou attacks can be unleashed when the Musou meter reaches a certain level, and they can eliminate enemies in a wide area. In addition, you can activate the War God Rage mode when the Musou Gauge is built up to two levels, as well as the super powerful True Musou attack. In some battles, you can take an allied general as your companion. You can directly control your companions by switching to them and unleashing their unique attacks. You can also unleash the extreme Musou attack with your companion, which is great to use.

Experience unprecedented scale as thousands of soldiers collide on the battlefield

Dynasty Warriors: Origins fully utilizes the power of PS5 to realize an unprecedented scale of combat in the history of the series. In some matches, you will witness massive groups of enemies clashing on the field, which is a spectacle in itself. Each soldier on the battlefield applies their own strategy, whether under the command of their leaders or of their own volition, causing the battle mode to change rapidly.

The importance of maintaining your squad’s morale

Morale is an important factor during battles. Morale increases when enemy generals are defeated or you capture enemy strongholds. When morale is high, your soldiers’ powers are strengthened in your favor, but on the other hand, morale can drop when allied generals are defeated or your strongholds are captured. There were stressful moments when I was needed in several places at once, but overcoming these challenges was extremely satisfying.

Command your bodyguards with strategic tactics and repel Grand Tactics deployed by large forces

Dynasty Warrior: Origins will bring back the Bodyguard system. Using Tactics, you can command these bodyguards to perform various actions, such as raining arrows or charging with spears. When a huge number of soldiers gather, a large force will also be formed. These large forces can deploy Grand Tactics and dramatically change the tide of battle. These intense group attacks involve troops charging in one after the other with spears or stone throwers firing incendiary bombs. While these attacks are a sight to behold, they will deal significant damage to your allies, so be sure to deal with them quickly.

The story of this latest installment in the series offers a unique perspective into the historical drama from the eyes of an ‘unsung hero’, and the intense battles and unprecedented scale of the battlefields are gripping and immersive. Dynasty Warriors: Origins is for die-hard fans of the series, as well as those new to the franchise, who are eager to explore the epic stories behind the Three Kingdoms and their heroes. Experience the big battle on January 17th on PS5.