Dynasty Warriors 10 Was Canceled

Summary

• The 10th mainline installment in the Dynasty Warriors franchise was canceled due to technological advancements.
• The canceled Dynasty Warriors 10 led to the incorporation of elements into Origins, enhancing modern and strategic gameplay.
• Dynasty Warriors: Origins is set to release on January 17, 2025, featuring hack-and-slash combat set in the Three Kingdoms Era.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins emerged from a bittersweet beginning, as its developers had initially been working on what would have been the 10th mainline installment in the series. This project was ultimately canceled to pave the way for the new game. Deluxe Edition players have already experienced the fast-paced combat of Dynasty Warriors: Origins, a game that might not have come to fruition without significant technological advancements over the past four years.

For those who did not opt for early access, Dynasty Warriors: Origins is scheduled for release on January 17, 2025. The game retains the series' signature free-roaming hack-and-slash combat style, which has been a hallmark since the second mainline installment in 2000. Players will assume the role of a mysterious, amnesiac character, navigating interactions with some of the most renowned officers of China's Three Kingdoms Era.

While some fans have already stepped into the shoes of Dynasty Warriors: Origins' nameless protagonist, the development team at Omega Force recently disclosed the cancellation of another game in the series. In an interview with the Japanese site 4Gamer, translated to English by SiliconEra, development producer Masamichi Oba revealed that the studio had been working on a "phantom number title" under the Dynasty Warriors brand. This canceled title would have followed a stage-clearing format similar to 2011's Dynasty Warriors 7, differing significantly from the final product that early access players are currently enjoying.

Dynasty Warriors 10 Was Canceled to Make the Best Dynasty Warriors Possible

The primary reason for canceling the 10th mainline game, as explained by producer Tomohiko Sho in the same interview, was the team's exposure to the capabilities of the PlayStation 5 and other current-generation consoles. Witnessing the potential of these modern systems, the developers decided to shift their strategy for the next game, while still integrating some of the best elements from previous Dynasty Warriors titles.

According to Oba, although it was challenging to abandon the previous project, the team managed to incorporate some of its features into Dynasty Warriors: Origins. These include enhanced travel mechanics, as Oba had long desired to implement a free-roaming map in the canceled title, along with a deeper exploration of the Three Kingdoms Era's narrative.