Summary
- Technological advancements led to the cancellation of the planned 10th mainline Dynasty Warriors game.
- Elements from this canceled title, tentatively called Dynasty Warriors 10, were incorporated into Dynasty Warriors: Origins to enhance gameplay and strategy.
- Dynasty Warriors: Origins, launching January 17, 2025, offers classic hack-and-slash combat set during the Three Kingdoms Era.
The genesis of Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a fascinating story of adaptation and innovation. The development team initially embarked on creating the 10th mainline entry in the series. However, this project was ultimately canceled to pave the way for a more ambitious and modern game. Deluxe Edition players have already experienced the fast-paced action, but the game's existence hinges on a significant technological leap made possible by advancements in gaming hardware.
For those awaiting its official release, Dynasty Warriors: Origins arrives on January 17, 2025. Staying true to the series' signature free-roaming hack-and-slash combat (a hallmark since the 2000 sequel), the game places players in the role of an amnesiac protagonist, interacting with iconic figures from China's Three Kingdoms period.
While many fans have already enjoyed early access, Omega Force's development team recently revealed the cancellation of a previous project. In an interview with 4Gamer (translated by SiliconEra), producer Masamichi Oba discussed this "phantom number title," a stage-clearing game conceptually similar to 2011's Dynasty Warriors 7. This canceled game differed significantly from the final Dynasty Warriors: Origins experience.
Dynasty Warriors 10's Cancellation: Forging a Better Dynasty Warriors
Producer Tomohiko Sho explained that the decision to cancel the 10th numbered entry stemmed from witnessing the capabilities of the PlayStation 5 and other contemporary consoles. The team realized the potential of modern hardware, prompting a strategic shift in development. Despite abandoning the original project, they salvaged and integrated its best features into the successor.
According to Oba, elements from the canceled game found their way into Origins. This includes the free-roaming map, a feature he envisioned for the scrapped title, and a more in-depth exploration of the Three Kingdoms Era's narrative. While abandoning the previous project was challenging, the team successfully incorporated its strengths, resulting in a richer and more refined gaming experience.
