Dynasty Warriors: Origins Shifts Away from Open World Design

The Dynasty Warriors series has traditionally offered linear hack-and-slash gameplay, though Dynasty Warriors 9 introduced an open world. This raises the question: Does Dynasty Warriors: Origins follow suit with an open world?

Is Dynasty Warriors: Origins an Open World Game?

Dynasty Warriors: Origins does not feature an open world.

Many modern AAA titles equate open worlds with quality, but this isn’t always true. Dynasty Warriors 9 is a prime example, where its vast open world felt empty and diluted the series’ signature large-scale battles. The sprawling level design made epic setpieces feel disjointed, proving that open worlds don’t always suit every game.

Given the experimental approach of Dynasty Warriors: Origins, fans wondered if it would continue the open-world trend. Fortunately, it opts for an overworld system instead, allowing players to navigate between missions without the burden of an expansive, empty map.

Between missions, players explore a compact map of ancient China, traveling between towns to buy weapons, items, or rest at inns. These maps are small, traversable in under a minute, with fast travel available but often unnecessary due to their size. Players can interact with NPCs to start sidequests, find items like Pyroxene or Old Coins, engage in optional battles to improve skills or recruit soldiers, and trigger cutscenes to advance the story. This streamlined overworld feels functional, offering simplicity over the bloated open world of its predecessor.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is available on PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S.