Dynasty Warriors 10 Axed: Latest Installment in Epic Series Faces Termination

Dynasty Warriors: Origins Rises from the Ashes of a Canceled Predecessor

The upcoming release of Dynasty Warriors: Origins on January 17, 2025, marks a significant moment for the franchise. What many may not know is that its creation involved the cancellation of a planned tenth mainline installment. This decision, driven by technological advancements, ultimately shaped Origins into a more modern and strategically rich experience.

The game retains the series' hallmark hack-and-slash combat set against the backdrop of China's Three Kingdoms period. Players assume the role of an amnesiac protagonist, navigating this historical setting and interacting with iconic figures. Deluxe Edition owners have already experienced the fast-paced action, but the game's development path was far from straightforward.

Omega Force, the developers, recently revealed in an interview with 4Gamer (translated by SiliconEra) that a "phantom" Dynasty Warriors title was scrapped. This canceled project, envisioned as a stage-clearing experience similar to Dynasty Warriors 7, was ultimately abandoned.

Technological Leap and Strategic Shift

Producer Tomohiko Sho explained that the decision to cancel Dynasty Warriors 10 stemmed from witnessing the potential of the PlayStation 5 and other contemporary consoles. The technological leap spurred a strategic shift, though not without incorporating valuable elements from previous titles.

Producer Masamichi Oba shared that some features from the canceled project found their way into Origins. This includes the free-roaming map, a feature Oba had intended for the abandoned title, and a more in-depth exploration of the Three Kingdoms narrative. While abandoning the previous project was challenging, the team successfully integrated its best aspects, resulting in a richer and more refined Dynasty Warriors: Origins.