Is Dynasty Warriors: Origins Open World? Explained

For much of its history, the *Dynasty Warriors* series has been a straightforward hack-and-slash experience. However, recent entries like *Dynasty Warriors 9* experimented with an open world. This raises the question: Does *Dynasty Warriors: Origins* follow suit?

Does *Dynasty Warriors: Origins* Have an Open World?

No, Dynasty Warriors: Origins does not feature an open world.

The trend in recent AAA games suggests that open worlds automatically equate to high quality. This isn't always true. Dynasty Warriors 9 serves as a prime example; its vast, empty open world was widely criticized. The expansive level design diluted the impact of large-scale battles, highlighting how forcing a mechanic into an unsuitable game can backfire.

Thankfully, Dynasty Warriors: Origins avoids this pitfall. Instead of an open world, it offers a condensed overworld map of ancient China.

Between missions, players navigate this smaller map, traveling between towns to shop for weapons and items, or rest at inns. These maps are compact, easily traversed in under a minute. While a fast travel option exists, its necessity is minimal given the map's size. Here, players interact with NPCs to initiate side quests, discover items like Pyroxene and Old Coins, participate in optional battles to improve proficiency and recruit soldiers, and trigger cutscenes to advance the story. This streamlined approach, while perhaps unambitious, is a significant improvement over a large, empty open world.

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