The Musou genre is one of video games’ most unique because it takes large-scale battles and allows the player to have the power to face an army single-handedly. Whether with powerful weapons or abilities, the concept of storming a map and capturing objectives while facing bosses is incredibly addicting. A founding entry to the genre, with nine entries in its main series, Koei Tecmo’s Dynasty Warriors perfectly blends the realistic historical setting with high energy, button-mashing combat. Thanks to that unique blend of story, visuals and action, the franchise also makes for a great film.
In the past, the only non-gaming entry Dyansty Warriors had was a film from China that was released this year. The franchise hasn’t caught the eye of Hollywood in its nearly 20-year existence, but one scene from Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings proves that a Dynasty Warriors film could not only work but that it would be a visual spectacle.
In Shang-Chi, the film opens with the beginnings of the Ten Rings organization. Beginning centuries ago, an army clad in blue led by Wenwu (Tony Leung) faces a red-clad force defending their kingdoms. As a hail of arrows careens towards Wenwu, he unleashes the power of his rings, deflecting each arrow with a massive forcefield. Then, as he launches himself off the horse, he uses his rings to eliminate dozens of enemies in mere moments. He also uses complex moves, including a massive ring wheel that destroys the gates of the kingdom. At a glance, the setting, Wenwu’s colors and combat style call back to precisely what makes the Dynasty Warriors franchise so entertaining.
Before embracing the Musou genre, Dynasty Warriors began as one on one fighting game. However, for every subsequent entry, the genre reformed into what it’s known as today and has celebrated nine mainline entries and even more spin-offs and expansions. Since its release, the franchise’s popularity has continued to rise, and its most recent entry, Dynasty Warriors 9, has also released an expansion of the entry titled Dynasty Warriors 9: Empires. The franchise has also influenced other genres to tackle the Musou genre with games like Hyrule Warriors. The Legend of Zelda spin-off lets characters from across the franchise fight in massive battles with scores of enemies.
As a narrative, Dynasty Warriors takes place during the Three Kingdoms period of Ancient China (220 to 280 AD). The battles in the game mirror real battles between the Wu, Shu and Wei kingdoms who are clad in red, blue and white in the games. The embellished history of the franchise helps show how realism and legends can converge in a manner similar to Shang-Chi. By seeing Wenwu mow down his enemies with ease, audiences are secretly getting a taste of how Dynasty Warriors can balance the fantastical with the historical realism of the setting.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has become a phenomenon thanks to its bombastic battles, gorgeous settings and compelling story. Dynasty Warriors also has these factors, and thanks to Marvel Studios, the potential for a film based on the series seems even more tangible. By borrowing the inspirations of Wenwu and his unique weapons, it feels even more possible that audiences can catch a glimpse of an era in Ancient China that is rarely explored outside of the hit franchise.
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