Why Excluding Lu Xun from Dynasty Warriors Origins Is a Major Error

Why Excluding Lu Xun from Dynasty Warriors Origins Is a Major Error

Dynasty Warriors Origins: A Character Omission of Note

Dynasty Warriors Origins has garnered a generally favorable response from fans, largely due to its revitalized action gameplay mechanics. However, loyal enthusiasts with deep-rooted connections to the series, particularly to its characters and historical narratives, are likely to notice significant gaps in storytelling. A glaring omission is the absence of Lu Xun, a prominent figure from the Sun Wu faction.

Lu Xun’s Historical Significance

Since his debut in the original PS1 title, Lu Xun has been a beloved character within the Dynasty Warriors franchise. His historical legacy is particularly marked by his command of the Wu army during the infamous chain fire attack on Shu camps at the Battle of Yiling in 222 AD. This achievement has cemented his reputation in both history and the gaming world.

Timing and Exclusions

It’s speculated that Omega Force chose to exclude Lu Xun from Dynasty Warriors Origins due to its focus on events leading only up to the Battle of Chi Bi (Red Cliffs) in 208 AD. While it’s true that Lu Xun participated in campaigns against the Shanyue tribe, which are explored in the Sun clan’s storylines, these events unfolded in the mid-210s. However, Lu Xun joined the Sun clan around 203 AD, placing him within the storyline’s timeframe.

Battle of Lujiang: An Overlooked Connection

Despite the game’s compressed timeline, Origins includes battles not previously featured in the series. For instance, the Siege of Lujiang, which lasted for two years and concluded in 195 AD, is referenced. Although the novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms glosses over this encounter, it is noteworthy that Sun Ce commanded the attacking forces while Lu Xun’s granduncle, Lu Kang, defended the city. This creates further questions about Lu Xun’s exclusion, especially given his familial ties to the Sun clan.

Lu Xun's Granduncle Lu Kang in Dynasty Warriors Origins
Screenshot by Siliconera

Historical Bonds and the Narrative Impact

The dynamics between Lu Kang and Sun Ce were not particularly cordial; Lu Kang reportedly insulted Sun Ce during a visit by not meeting him directly. After the siege, Lu Kang endorsed Lu Xun as the new leader of the clan before his own demise. Subsequently, Lu Xun’s allegiance to Sun Quan strengthened ties between the Sun and Lu clans, culminating in a marriage alliance.

Lu Xun engaging bandits in Dynasty Warriors 9
Screenshot by Siliconera

A Missed Opportunity

Initially, I feared that the absence of Cao Ren from the game might be the most striking omission, as he historically served as an enemy commander in the Battle of Xinye. However, producer Tomohiko Sho has defended this exclusion, explaining his intent to portray Cao Ren’s historical deeds accurately rather than reduce him to a mere fictional general in the game.

In the context of historical representation, the absence of Lu Xun stands out as an even greater oversight. His inclusion could have illustrated Sun Ce’s respect and compassion towards a clan he had previously bested, thereby enhancing the narrative depth within the game’s tumultuous regional backdrop.

Continuing Legacy

Lu Xun last featured in the main Dynasty Warriors title, Dynasty Warriors 9, released in 2018. Meanwhile, the new iteration, Dynasty Warriors Origins, launched in January 2025 for platforms such as PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, but continues to omit Lu Xun from its character roster. This gap remains a point of contention among fans longing for a more complete representation of the historical and fictional richness that the series promises.

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