DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS

DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS is a single-player action game set in China during the late Han dynasty. You control a nameless swordsman with no memory who seeks his own path among rival warlords. Battles with hundreds of enemies combine direct combat with decisions about troop movements, strongholds and morale.

The focus is on the Three Kingdoms period. Unlike many earlier Dynasty Warriors games, you mainly play your own protagonist instead of choosing a famous general before each battle.

DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS was released on Jan 17, 2025 for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The native Nintendo Switch 2 version was released on Jan 22, 2026. On the same day, the extensive expansion Visions of Four Heroes was released for all four platforms.

The game is available as a Standard Edition and as the Digital Deluxe Edition. The Deluxe Edition includes, among other things, the digital companion book, music and in-game currency. It is an edition of the base game and not a separate title.

DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS is natively available on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2. All versions are designed for one player. On PS5, there is support for the extra features of the PlayStation 5 Pro.

The Switch 2 version supports handheld, tabletop and TV mode. Nintendo lists a download size of 21.6 GB and German on-screen text. A standalone Switch 1 version is not among the offered versions.

On the battlefield, you switch between quick attacks, heavy blows and special martial arts. Hits build up the bravery you use for powerful weapon actions. Musou attacks can push back large groups of enemies. Against officers, defense, counters and targeted attacks on weakened foes matter most.

Combat is not just between your hero and individual soldiers. You also need to watch whether allied units come under pressure, enemy strongholds send in new troops, or an enemy officer breaks through the front.

The expansion Visions of Four Heroes was released on Jan 22, 2026. It tells alternative story paths around Zhang Jiao, Dong Zhuo, Yuan Shao and Lu Bu. Companions such as Zhuhe and Diaochan are also added.

The DLC adds the bow and the rope dart as weapons. Existing weapons get additional arts, higher property caps and new abilities. In the Training Ground, you can challenge strong enemies independently of the course of a normal battle. You need the base game for the expansion and must be far enough along in the story.

For PC, the game requires 64-bit Windows 10 or 11, at least an Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600, 12 GB RAM, a GeForce GTX 1060 with 6 GB VRAM or Radeon RX 590 with 8 GB VRAM, DirectX 12, and 50 GB storage.

For 1080p at high graphics settings and 60 FPS, Koei Tecmo recommends an Intel Core i7-10700K or Ryzen 7 5700X, 16 GB RAM, and a GeForce RTX 2070 or Radeon RX 5700 XT. The minimum requirements are for 1080p at low settings and 30 FPS.

The outcome of a battle depends on the state of the entire army. Captured bases and defeated officers boost allied morale, while enemy breakthroughs can tip individual battle zones. Through tactics, you can order a push or a cavalry charge, for example.

Large troops can unleash coordinated attacks. You decide when to weaken the enemy formation and when to support your own units. Defeating an enemy officer in a duel can also significantly boost morale on your side.

Sword, Spear, Gauntlets, Blade Ring, Podao, Staff, Twin Spears, Lance and Crescent Blade each require different combat rhythms. The more often you use a weapon, the higher its rank rises and the more abilities you unlock.

You get items from battles or buy them on the world map. Weapons have different properties and can be upgraded. This means a second run with the same protagonist still leaves room for a different fighting style.

The plot begins during the unrest at the end of the Eastern Han dynasty. Famines, corruption and the Yellow Turban Rebellion upend the political order. The nameless hero gets caught up in the conflicts of the men who later shape the Three Kingdoms.

The story runs from the Yellow Turban Rebellion to the Battle of Chibi. Along the way, you must choose between different political factions and their leaders.

The main commanders include Cao Cao, Liu Bei and Sun Jian. Each pursues their own political goals. Well-known officers such as Xiahou Dun and Guo Jia also fight on the battlefields.

Depending on the mission, a selected officer accompanies you. For a short time you can take control and use their special combat abilities. On the world map, bonds with other characters can be deepened through conversations and tasks.

Between major battles, you explore a world map with towns, merchants and smaller fights. You buy equipment, take on extra tasks and can take on bandits or scattered soldiers.

The world map connects the missions and your relationships with the officers. Those who train and upgrade their weapons before the next major battle enter the fight with additional options.

The Standard Edition includes the full main game. The Digital Deluxe Edition adds a digital book, the soundtrack, gold and pyroxene for purchases and crafting jewels. The book and music are accessible within the game.

The physical Treasure Box was announced for PS5, Xbox Series and PC. On Switch 2, Standard and Digital Deluxe are available. The Digital Deluxe Edition for Switch 2 did not have early access like the original versions.

DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS offers German on-screen text. The official game website lists Japanese and English voice acting. On Nintendo Switch 2, Italian, French, Spanish and Korean on-screen text is also available.