Dynasty Warriors 10 Was Canceled

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, born from the ashes of its predecessor, the canceled Dynasty Warriors 10. This decision, driven by technological advancements, ultimately shaped Origins into a more modern and strategically rich experience.

Initially conceived as the tenth mainline installment, Dynasty Warriors 10 was scrapped to fully leverage the capabilities of next-generation consoles like the PlayStation 5. Development producer Masamichi Oba, in an interview translated by SiliconEra from 4Gamer, described the abandoned project as a "phantom number title," resembling the stage-clearing structure of Dynasty Warriors 7 (2011). This differed significantly from the free-roaming, hack-and-slash gameplay that defines Origins.

Producer Tomohiko Sho highlighted the impact of witnessing the potential of modern consoles. The decision to pivot from Dynasty Warriors 10 was made to capitalize on these advancements, resulting in a more refined and strategic game. However, the team didn't abandon all of Dynasty Warriors 10's work. Oba confirmed that elements, such as the free-roaming map and enhanced Three Kingdoms narrative, were salvaged and integrated into Origins.

While the cancellation of Dynasty Warriors 10 was undoubtedly challenging, it paved the way for a more ambitious and technologically advanced entry in the series. Origins, set in the Three Kingdoms Era, promises the signature fast-paced combat players have come to expect, enhanced by the innovative features salvaged from its predecessor. The game casts players as an amnesiac protagonist, allowing them to engage with iconic figures from this pivotal historical period. The Deluxe Edition offers early access, but the full release is just around the corner.