Is Dynasty Warriors: Origins Open World? Explained

The Dynasty Warriors series, known for its linear hack-and-slash gameplay, deviated with Dynasty Warriors 9's open-world approach, a decision met with criticism. This raises the question: Does Dynasty Warriors: Origins also feature an open world?

Does Dynasty Warriors: Origins Have an Open World?

No, Dynasty Warriors: Origins does not have an open world. The game eschews the expansive, often empty, open worlds prevalent in recent AAA titles. The developers wisely avoided repeating the mistake of Dynasty Warriors 9, which suffered from a vast but sparsely populated world that detracted from the core gameplay.

Instead of an open world, Dynasty Warriors: Origins offers a condensed overworld map of ancient China. Players navigate this smaller map to visit towns for shopping, rest at inns, and interact with NPCs to initiate side quests, discover items (like Pyroxene and Old Coins), engage in optional battles, and trigger story cutscenes. While this overworld element is arguably minimal and doesn't significantly enhance the gameplay, it's a far more streamlined and effective alternative to a large, empty open world. The map's small size renders even the fast travel option largely unnecessary.

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