Dynasty Warriors: Origins Dev Team Was Instructed to “Go Kill The Player”

Dynasty Warriors: Origins ups the ante with significantly more challenging enemies. 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 AI in Dynasty Warriors: Origins aims for a heightened sense of realism. According to an interview with PlayStation.Blog, Producer Sho wanted to reflect the brutal reality of war, where both player and enemy alike face life-or-death struggles.

While significantly increasing the difficulty, Sho emphasized a focus on rewarding challenges rather than frustrating ones. The goal was to create a sense of accomplishment, even for players less experienced with action games. He acknowledged the difficulty in balancing the series' signature "musou" exhilaration (defeating hordes of enemies) with the added realism of a more dangerous battlefield.

A Return to Roots: The "Origins"

The absence of a sequential number in the title – a first for the franchise – is a notable departure. Instead of Dynasty Warriors 10, the game is titled Dynasty Warriors: Origins, highlighting its focus on the early stages of Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

As confirmed at the 2024 Tokyo Game Show (in an interview with TheGamer), Origins covers the narrative only up to the pivotal Battle of Chibi (Battle of Red Cliffs). This concentrated approach allows for a more detailed and intense portrayal of this crucial period in the story.

Seven years after the last main installment, Dynasty Warriors: Origins brings a fresh experience to the long-running series based on Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Featuring an original protagonist, the Nameless Hero, players journey through a war-torn China, navigating the conflicts between competing factions.

Released January 17th, Dynasty Warriors: Origins is currently available on PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. For a detailed review, check out Game8's analysis.