Dynasty Warriors: Origins Marks the Series’ Most Impressive Debut

When I had the chance to review Dynasty Warriors: Origins, I couldn’t have been more thrilled with the game. Frankly, if my editor had given me more leeway, I would’ve sung even louder praises for it. Set against the backdrop of China’s legendary Three Kingdoms period, this hack-and-slash RPG lets you step into the boots of a mysteriously garbed warrior, eager to steer the course of China’s destiny. And while I might gush about it being my top pick in the series, don’t just take my word for it.

Last weekend, Dynasty Warriors: Origins captured the attention of nearly 70,000 players at its peak, maxing out at just shy of 69,483 concurrent gamers. To put it in perspective, the previous four titles in this epic series barely scratched the surface with only 3,900 simultaneous players. That’s over 17 times more people diving into the latest installment.

On social media, interpretations and discussions about the game’s success abound. A Twitter post highlights that Dynasty Warriors: Origins hit a final peak of 69,483 concurrent users, amassing 4,450 “Very Positive” reviews as of now. It’s a milestone achievement, especially after the mixed reaction to the previous game. This makes Origins the second-largest debut among Koei Tecmo’s impressive lineup on this platform.

In comparison charts, widely circulated by folks like Alejandro from Game Discover Co, Origins stands second only to the previously crowned champion of launches, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. Even though Wo Long remains the company’s largest launch, it’s likely that the team at Koei Tecmo is ecstatic with Origins’ strong showing. Wo Long’s current mixed reviews on Steam—a 47% approval rating—pale next to the stellar 94% that Origins boasts, hinting at more consistent sales over time.

Despite having 6,000 fewer online players than Wo Long, it’s not far-fetched to assume that Origins may have been financially sounder on Steam, given the platform’s return policy. Many players likely asked for refunds with Wo Long. This isn’t to undermine Wo Long’s phenomenal reach, attracting over 3.8 million players in under two months. However, it does highlight how incredible Origins is within this niche series.

Listening to the community, there’s no doubt they are just as enthusiastic. Lothair Mantelar notes how it’s been ‘quite a while since I actually enjoyed Dynasty Warriors,’ praising this entry as a refreshing restart that keeps the essence of past games intact. Another fan, Ackman, is impressed with how ‘officer fights feel like Ghost of Tsushima while the crowds feel like a Warriors game.’ Enhasa reflects on how they could have easily pumped out another typical entry but chose instead to craft ‘a really, really good one.’

In sum, Dynasty Warriors: Origins is quite the revitalization the series needed. It delivers a captivating mix of detailed, absorbing storylines and the thrilling technical challenge of on-screen battles with thousands. If you’ve ever found joy in a Warriors-style game, it’s time to check out what’s become my absolute favorite experience so far in 2025.