Adapting a beloved anime into a compelling video game has always been a risky venture. Too often, licensed titles succumb to the trap of fan service without depth—beautiful recreations of familiar characters wrapped around superficial gameplay.
But every so often, a project emerges that aims higher.
The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin is one such project.
Positioned as a spiritual successor to The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross, this ambitious open-world RPG from Netmarble takes clear inspiration from genre giants like Genshin Impact, expanding the franchise into a full-scale exploration experience.
Now available in Early Access on PlayStation 5 and PC, Origin is already beginning to stand out as one of the most ambitious anime adaptations in recent memory.
However, ambition does not always guarantee success—especially at this early stage.
A Vast Britannia Worth Exploring
The first thing that stands out about Origin is its vast scale.
Players are dropped into a sprawling open-world version of Britannia, covering approximately 30 square kilometres. Unlike many anime-inspired games that confine players to segmented zones, Origin provides a seamless world where exploration feels natural and free.
You can:
- Climb cliffs and castle walls
- Swim across lakes and rivers
- Glide across vast landscapes
- Sail across open waters
It’s immediately evident that the developers aim for a sense of freedom similar to Genshin Impact, and in many respects, they achieve it.
The world is lively and diverse, filled with forests, ruins, towns, and hidden dungeons waiting to be explored.
More importantly, exploration feels genuine.
Treasure chests, environmental puzzles, and random encounters are spread throughout the map, encouraging players to stray from the main path.
A New Story with Familiar Faces
Instead of retelling the events of the original series, Origin presents a new story focused on Tristan, the son of Meliodas and Elizabeth Liones.
The story begins with a mysterious clash of time and space, throwing Britannia into turmoil and bringing characters from different eras into the same world.
This setup allows players to meet beloved characters from across the series while also introducing entirely new heroes.
It’s a clever storytelling device.
Not only does it justify the game’s large roster, but it also creates opportunities for unique character interactions that wouldn’t occur in the original story.
For fans of the anime and manga, this is a major attraction.
Real-Time Combat with Strategic Depth
Combat in The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin combines real-time action with team-based strategy.
Players form a party of four characters and can switch between them instantly during battles.
Each character possesses unique abilities, elemental affinities, and specific combat roles.
What makes Origin distinctive is its weapon system.
Certain characters—like Tristan—can switch between different weapon types mid-combat, significantly changing their playstyle.
For example:
- Dual blades emphasise speed and agility
- Greatswords focus on heavy damage and slower attacks
This system adds an extra layer of depth, enabling players to adapt their approach based on the situation.
Combat feels swift, flashy, and responsive, with plenty of visual flair inspired by the anime’s signature style.
Systems That Encourage Experimentation
Beyond combat, Origin includes a wide range of systems designed to keep players engaged:
- Team building with diverse character synergies
- Cooking and crafting for buffs and healing
- Fishing and exploration for more relaxed gameplay moments
- Dungeon crawling for rewards and progression
These systems help create a more complete RPG experience.
Rather than focusing solely on combat, the game encourages players to interact with the world in different ways.
Early Access Growing Pains
As impressive as Origin is, it’s important to remember that this remains an Early Access release.
And it shows.
Performance issues sometimes appear, especially in crowded areas or during large-scale battles.
There are also signs of imbalance in combat, with some characters and builds feeling notably stronger than others.
Additionally, certain systems—particularly progression and resource grinding—still seem to be undergoing tuning.
These issues are common in Early Access titles, but they are worth noting.
Monetization Questions
Given its connection to The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross, some players may be concerned about monetisation.
While Origin doesn’t fully reveal its long-term systems yet, there are clear indications that it may incorporate gacha-style mechanics for character acquisition.
At this stage, it’s too early to judge how fair or intrusive these systems will be.
However, it’s something players should keep an eye on as the game moves toward its full launch.
A Strong Presentation
Visually, Origin does an excellent job of recreating the look and feel of the anime.
Character models are detailed and expressive, environments are colourful and lively, and combat animations are dynamic and satisfying.
The game feels like a natural extension of the series.
Voice acting (in multiple languages) further enhances immersion, bringing familiar characters to life.
Pros
- Massive, seamless open world with strong exploration
- Engaging real-time combat with weapon-switching mechanics
- Original story that expands the universe
- Wide variety of gameplay systems and activities
Cons
- Performance issues and balancing problems in Early Access
- Potential monetization concerns
- Some systems feel unfinished or unpolished
Final Verdict
The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin is an ambitious and promising development of the franchise.
By expanding into a full open-world RPG, Netmarble has created a game that feels significantly more substantial than a typical anime tie-in.
The combination of exploration, real-time combat, and a multiverse-inspired story provides Origin with a strong foundation.
However, as an Early Access release, it is still a work in progress.
Performance issues, balance concerns, and unresolved questions about monetisation prevent it from reaching its full potential—at least for now.
That said, the potential here is undeniable.
If the developers continue to refine and expand the experience leading up to the full launch, Origin could become one of the standout anime RPGs of its generation.
For fans of the series, it is already worth exploring.
For everyone else, it may be worth waiting to see how the final version develops.
