Dynasty Warriors: Origins Rises from the Ashes of a Canceled Predecessor
The upcoming Dynasty Warriors: Origins, slated for release on January 17, 2025, boasts a unique genesis. Omega Force, the development studio, initially embarked on creating the 10th mainline entry in the Dynasty Warriors franchise. However, technological advancements spurred a pivotal decision: cancellation of Dynasty Warriors 10 in favor of a more ambitious, strategically refined successor.
Dynasty Warriors: Origins, therefore, inherits a legacy forged in both success and sacrifice. While Deluxe Edition players have already experienced its fast-paced, hack-and-slash combat set against the backdrop of China's Three Kingdoms Era, the game's development path involved a significant shift. The studio, in an interview with 4Gamer (translated by SiliconEra), revealed the existence of a previously unannounced Dynasty Warriors title – a "phantom number title" – that was ultimately scrapped. This abandoned project, envisioned as a stage-clearing experience reminiscent of Dynasty Warriors 7, significantly differed from the final iteration of Origins.
A Technological Leap and Strategic Shift
The decision to cancel Dynasty Warriors 10 stemmed from the transformative power of the PlayStation 5 and other contemporary consoles. Witnessing the potential of modern hardware, the development team, led by producer Tomohiko Sho, opted for a strategic overhaul. While abandoning a completed project was undoubtedly challenging, the team successfully integrated key elements from the canceled game into Origins.
According to producer Masamichi Oba, this integration included the free-roaming map feature, a concept initially planned for Dynasty Warriors 10, and a richer narrative exploration of the Three Kingdoms Era. The result is Dynasty Warriors: Origins – a game born from innovation, strategic adaptation, and the creative repurposing of a previously abandoned project. The game retains the series' signature hack-and-slash combat, but with enhanced strategic depth and a more immersive narrative experience.
