Unraveling the World of ‘Musou’ Games: A Deep Dive into ‘Dynasty Warriors’

For enthusiasts of excessive, dramatic action games, nothing surpasses the Dynasty Warriors series. With the launch of Dynasty Warriors: Origins (available today), Koei Tecmo has revived the hack-and-slash historical fiction saga and reimagined it for today’s gamers. While it may not appeal to everyone (our review was somewhat divided), for a specific audience, the Dynasty Warriors series stands as a reliable piece of digital indulgence that consistently demands focus.

Originating in 1997, it’s probable that many gamers have encountered some iteration of Dynasty Warriors, either by engaging with one of the numerous titles in the series or its spin-offs, or simply catching snippets during a watching spree of series like the teen drama The O.C. (Seth and Ryan engaged in a lot of it during the first season).

Characterized by extensive confrontations where players manage a single warrior capable of eliminating swarms of adversaries with just a few button taps, the Warriors games (including the main series, various spin-offs, and those influenced by it) are a true manifestation of power fantasy. They represent the type of games that rigidly conform to the “switch off your mind” principle of entertainment.

The draw of a Dynasty Warriors title, or any associated series or spin-offs sharing a similar essence, is the grand sense of empowerment derived from being an army of one; equipped with a sword or staff, players can charge headlong into a mass of adversaries, juggling an escalating array of enemies helplessly mid-air before propelling their animated bodies into oblivion. Depending on the particular version, there could be varying levels of strategy involved; certain installments provide deeper layers of tactics across the battlefield, but the essential element remains the joy-inducing experience of reliving a wuxia-styled adventure repeatedly.

Even though they fundamentally belong to the action genre, Warriors games feature a uniquely defined core design that effectively establishes them as their own unofficial subgenre, termed “Musou,” derived from the franchise’s official title in Japan. Like other subgenres that have emerged over the years, Musou games boast a more distinct, loyal following, one that has progressively expanded over the previous two decades — and for justifiable reasons. They are simple to engage with and comprehend, and showcase a design framework that can be integrated into virtually any combination with other gaming concepts or popular culture IP.

So, if you’re the kind of gamer in search of a fresh genre to explore, here’s why Musou games could be worth your while.

What constitutes “Musou” Games?

Formally, “Musou” games refer to action hack-and-slash titles like Dynasty Warriors, distributed by Koei Tecmo. Initially developed as a derivative of Koei’s Romance of the Three Kingdoms series of turn-based strategy games, the first Dynasty Warriors (Sangokumusō in Japan) game emerged in 1997 for the PlayStation. The original entry in the franchise was indeed a one-on-one fighting game akin to titles like Samurai Shodown or Soulcalibur, showing little similarity to the chaotic style for which the franchise is now recognized.

It was with the sequel to that game, 2000’s Dynasty Warriors 2 for the PlayStation 2, that the series embraced the one versus all gameplay concept. To signify the design alteration, the second entry was titled Shin Sangokumusou in Japan, with “shin” translating to “new” or “true,” which would become the official designation going forward.

Similar to the strategy series they originated from, the primary line of Dynasty Warriors draws inspiration from the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong and represents works of fiction set in ancient China. Blending historical characters, such as generals Lü Bu or Dong Zhuo, with fictional creations, the narratives of the games often revisit familiar ground, selectively sampling various battles and sequences from the text and reinterpreting the elements with some creative freedom.“`html

Through the timeline of the franchise’s 10 primary releases (the latest being Origins), every edition essentially recounts a rendition of the identical tale, causing the storyline to gradually become less of a priority, shifting into a structure for the gameplay. Even Origins, where players embody a third-party figure named the “Guardian of Peace,” who has the ability to influence the fictional tale’s direction, contributes minimally to enhancing the storytelling prospects of the franchise. However, again, it’s rather irrelevant; the emphasis is entirely on action.

Apart from some newer versions, the majority of games are typically organized with straightforward stages that must be finished, each featuring a specific battleground with distinct objectives. Certain missions necessitate capturing numerous enemy strongholds prior to making a final advance on the rival’s main base; others focus on escorting vital NPCs to a safe location, battling against hordes of opponents, or survivably navigating particularly intense engagements with legendary figures like Lu Bu, who is frequently portrayed as a godlike being that regularly returns as a menacing entity.

As the franchise progressed, various elements such as cooperative multiplayer modes and skill trees were introduced to add complexity and motivation for replaying levels. Some entries, like Dynasty Warriors 7 (2011), emphasized the distinctions between the various warring factions by segmenting encounters into smaller portions where players shift between opposing viewpoints rather than concentrating solely on any particular heroic group. However, on a moment-to-moment basis, the essence of the experience mainly boils down to playing as a fascinating character executing impressive maneuvers. Rinse and repeat.

Taking into account the vast quantity of fighting in each title, there can emerge a sense of monotony that seeps in over time. Waves of indistinguishable adversaries are directed at the player to conquer, occasionally culminating in a high-stakes clash with a more formidable opponent. Nevertheless, the repetitiveness ultimately becomes part of the allure; navigating through each arena to systematically eliminate segments of troops at chokepoints and fortifications yields a feeling of gratifying orderliness akin to the organizational tasks found in farming simulations and cozy games, albeit with significantly more gore. Consider it akin to the odd joy of power washing or meticulously filling in an adult coloring book. There’s a soothing essence to tidying up, even if the method of achieving that involves slashing through a horde of enemies in a rage.

Which are other Musou-style games?

Following the triumph of the Dynasty Warriors series, Koei Tecmo continued to develop numerous other titles that adhere to the same pattern in varying environments, the most significant of which is the Samurai Warriors franchise (Sengoku Musou), which initiated in 2004 and features five main installments, along with its own spinoff series, Samurai Warriors Chronicles. The two franchises eventually merged in the Warriors Orochi games, which blend characters from both series with original ones in a wildly chaotic fashion infused with fantasy elements.

As an idea, Musou games are quite clear-cut (a powerful character combats numerous weaker opponents), which allows the structure to lend itself well to licensed adaptations featuring various franchises. Koei Tecmo has leveraged this concept repeatedly, creating Musou-type titles that embody renowned intellectual properties from across the pop culture landscape. For enthusiasts of anime, there’s Dynasty Warriors: Gundam, One Piece: Pirate Warriors, and Fist of the North Star: Ken’s Rage, each intertwining their unique lore and characters with Koei’s established framework.

Arguably, the most effective application of the Musou model arises from collaborations with different video game franchises. In 2020, Atlus introduced Persona 5 Strikers, an action-roleplaying title that fuses elements from both the cherished Persona RPG series and Dynasty Warriors. Even Nintendo — a firm somewhat hesitant to permit external developers to experiment within its realm — has co-published not just one, but two Musou-style series alongside Fire Emblem Warriors (2017), Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes (2022), along with a duo of Zelda offerings, Hyrule Warriors (2014) and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity (2020). Granting access to Nintendo’s prized properties is a significant endorsement of the concept’s potential.

Though purists may contend that titles produced by developers other than Koei Tecmo cannot be considered “Musou” titles — which, understandably, is precisely the title of a franchise they possess — the core formula of the series has evolved to take on a life of its own beyond merely being a hack-and-slash game. While franchises like God of War fit into the hack-and-slash action genre, they operate quite differently at their essence, concentrating on smaller groups of distinctive adversaries, and necessitating a completely different mindset to engage than a Warriors-style game.

While it may be considered a stretch to claim that Musou-style games have established themselves as a subgenre as recognizable as “Metroidvanias” or “Soulslikes,” terms coined for titles reminiscent of Metroid, Castlevania, and Dark Souls, it’s evident that the legacy of Koei Tecmo’s numerous Warriors games has paved a path that other developers can emulate. Xseed Games’ Fate/Extella franchise and Microsoft’s Ninety-Nine Nights (2006) serve as examples of games crafted in the Musou style without a direct association to the format’s originator.

As independent game development continues to leave a notable mark on the gaming world, it’s entirely feasible that smaller studios might adopt the Musou template and transform it into something that could emerge as a new trend in the future. It’s an opportunity that’s ready to be seized.

Which Musou titles should you try?

Considering the multitude of variations of Musou-type games that have been introduced, the simplest method to determine which one to explore first is to decide what setting fascinates you the most. Are you enchanted by pop cultural representations of samurai? There’s a series for that. Obsessed with One Piece? There’s a game for that, as well. Yet for those eager to uncover the essence of the subgenre, the most reliable choice would be the original, Dynasty Warriors.

In that light, Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a promising option, and with its narrative function of featuring a nameless player-character as its lead, it’s beneficial for gaining an overall grasp
“`of the long-standing franchise’s most pivotal story elements and peculiarities. As the latest installment in the collection, it leverages the capabilities of contemporary consoles and PCs to deliver the promise of the genre to its visual and mechanical zenith. While it’s not flawless, no title illustrates the possibilities of the overall Musou concept better than Origins.

The finest alternative for those seeking a more captivating narrative or variety in gameplay and environments would be Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity for the Nintendo Switch. Crafted as a pseudo-prequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Age of Calamity allows players to embody Link, Zelda, and all the Champions in their battle against Ganon before the occurrences of the original game. While it takes some creative liberties with the overall Zelda lore, there’s an unexpectedly compelling storyline that enhances the already moving narrative behind Nintendo’s masterpiece.

With numerous playable characters, each offering distinct controls, and an abundance of uniquely designed locations that alleviate monotony, Age of Calamity is not merely an excellent re-envisioning of what a Zelda game could be, it stands as one of the finest representations of the Musou subgenre. With the newly announced Nintendo Switch 2 on the horizon, capable of playing the library of its predecessors, it may actually perform better than ever.

Regardless, it’s difficult to err with any Musou title. With such an abundance of selections, there’s likely to be one that appeals to most players’ preferences. If Dynasty Warriors: Origins succeeds in reigniting interest in the subgenre, many more are expected to emerge in the years ahead.