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The Seven Deadly Sins may be Netflix’s largest anime series, yet it remains one of its most overlooked. Originating from the creative mind of Nakaba Suzuki, this series debuted 14 years ago in Shōnen Magazine Comics in 2012. Over time, its straightforward yet captivating storyline has evolved into a significant media empire. Despite these accomplishments, The Seven Deadly Sins hasn’t quite achieved the global fame enjoyed by titles like Solo Leveling or Jujutsu Kaisen.
Even so, The Seven Deadly Sins continues to thrive in unexpected ways, albeit under the radar. A prime example of its enduring appeal is the launch of The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin, a free-to-play game available on mobile and console platforms. This game sets its sights on challenging the dominance of the popular Genshin Impact as the premier open-world anime game. Judging by its impressive debut at the top of the mobile charts, it seems poised to make a significant impact.
Inevitably, comparisons to Genshin Impact arise. Many open-world games with an anime aesthetic have drawn inspiration from the stunning success of what feels like an alternate version of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. And it’s easy to see why—it’s a solid foundation upon which to build.
Seven Deadly Sins: Origin Takes a Page From Genshin Impact
The Genshin comparisons are unavoidable. Every open-world anime-like game has borrowed a thing or two from the incredible success of “I can’t believe this isn’t The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.” And who wouldn’t? It’s a great template to build on.
Competitors like Wuthering Waves and Arknights: Endfield have used Genshin‘s blueprint to build on and deliver new experiences, such as Endfield‘s factory management or Wuwa‘s adrenaline-driven action setpieces.
The greatest strength and weakness of The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin is that it’s a competently made game that offers only the window dressing of the anime it’s based on, as an alternative to hundreds of other F2P open-world games aiming to be the next Genshin Impact. For longtime fans, this may be enough.
The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin doesn’t star Elizabeth or her short king husband, Meliodas. It stars their son, Tristan Liones, and Tioreh, an original character created exclusively for the game and now a regular in the manga. She’s a fairy/giant hybrid (and that should be enough to hint at who she’s an offspring of).
After stumbling upon a dried-up lake that served as an exciting setpiece in one of the Seven Deadly Sins’ many past adventures, Meliodas and Tioreh find themselves in a whole new mystery involving their parents’ past and possible future. Additionally, a magical pendant has bonded deeply with the young prince, whether he likes it or not.
Seven Deadly Sins: Origin Is Familiar in the Best and Worst Ways
To its credit, Seven Deadly Sins: Origin doesn’t waste time with its tutorials. There’s the standard attack, special abilities and ultimate attack. Not to mention tagging in or out with other characters, either obtained for free or through character gacha banners.
For anyone who played Genshin Impact and the like, this will all sound familiar in comforting and somewhat underwhelming ways. Again, to its credit, Seven Deadly Sins: Origin wears its inspiration on its sleeve and moves on (goddess waypoint statues and gliding devices are here without fail, serving their purpose well).
Given the nature of these F2P games, Seven Deadly Sins will (hopefully) be endless by releasing more content in the weeks ahead. From what I played so far, I’m interested in seeing this world grow.
While most was par the course, there were a few interesting delights here and there that kept me button-mashing onward in Seven Deadly Sins: Origin. For example, the game kicks off with an on-rails sequence in which the player rides a dragon and shoots his way to safety.
As simple as the premise sounds, it gets pretty intense for what is essentially a tutorial moment. The haptic feedback of the PS5 controller really adds to the experience, too.
Seven Deadly Sins: Origin Can Surprise Players Amid Its Predictability
In fact, the animal partner system is one key thing Seven Deadly Sins has over Genshin, which often fumbles its integration of new gameplay mechanics (see: Natlan).
This game’s Epona is a comically fat pig named Hawk, and the way you ride him from Point A to Point B – manually or on autopilot – is too hilarious not to love. Anything that evokes fond memories of Chuck Jones’ characters riding fat horses is a win in my book.
While my brief experience with the game wasn’t hindered in any serious way, the movement in Seven Deadly Sins: Origin isn’t as smooth as other games like it.
There’s a stiffness to it that’s associated with mobile games that compensate for touchscreen controls. Nothing too distracting, but it is an annoying reminder that this is a mobile game first and foremost that just so happens to run on PC and PS5.
What Does the Future Hold for Seven Deadly Sins: Origin?
While I enjoyed my time with The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin, it didn’t exactly dethrone Genshin or any of the other gacha games I’m already sacrificing my time and money on. The world of Seven Deadly Sins is charming, but no different from what’s already being offered by original or other anime-based video game titles.
Those unfamiliar with this Netflix series may not stick around to see the highs, but at least they’ll never experience any lows.
The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin is a competent release in the endless sea of F2P open-world games. It’s worth a light recommendation, but there are greener pastures ahead and very little landscape left for games like these to grow into something more.
Anime fans can now download The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin on iOS, Android, PC and PlayStation 5 for free.