Dynasty Warriors Has Lost Its Former Power
The Dynasty Warriors series, which has been around for 25 years, has become one of the most recognizable examples of the Musou genre, combining action and tactical elements. However, director Tomohiko Sho, the series’ longtime face, believes the series has lost its direction over time. Sho stated that with Dynasty Warriors: Origins, he aimed to return to its roots because previous games had weakened the series.
Dynasty Warriors Lost Its Tactical Element
In an interview, Sho stated that the games made after his departure from the series strayed from his vision. “After I left, the tactical elements were almost completely eliminated. The game focused solely on increasing the number of characters, which made it very weak,” he said. While Sho acknowledged that some players enjoyed this action-heavy approach, he emphasized that he believed it betrayed the series’ core essence.
With the 7th, 8th, and 9th installments of the series, Dynasty Warriors had increasingly focused on character development and fast-paced combat. However, this overshadowed the series’ original strategic identity. Sho stated, “My goal has always been to offer the player not only the opportunity to fight, but also the opportunity to think,” expressing his commitment to the series’ tactical spirit.
Dynasty Warriors: Origins, when released this year, aimed to return the series to its tactical roots. Sho summarized his goal by saying, “The tactical aspect of the series has diminished considerably over the last decade. I wanted to bring that back with Origins.” The game, which blended classic Musou structure with modern mechanics, received positive feedback from loyal fans.
Sho’s words also hint at the future of Dynasty Warriors. The developer stated that he does not want to collaborate with external studios for the series’ next steps, but plans to remain true to his own vision. It appears that if Dynasty Warriors wants to return to its former glory, it will have to reclaim its tactical roots.
