Seven Deadly Sins Origin Beta Review (March 2026) Epic Britannia Adventure

Updated by Marcus Reed
November 14, 2025
Gaming Guides

After years of anticipation and countless development updates, The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin finally opened its doors for a closed beta test, and I was fortunate enough to dive headfirst into Netmarble’s ambitious open-world action RPG. As someone who’s poured hundreds of hours into Grand Cross and watched every season of the anime, my expectations were sky-high. The question burning in my mind: could this game truly deliver a next-generation Seven Deadly Sins experience worthy of the franchise’s legacy?

Spoiler alert: it exceeded my expectations in some areas while revealing challenges that need addressing before the January 28, 2026 launch. Let me take you through everything I experienced during my time in Britannia’s multiverse.

The Seven Deadly Sins Origin

Feature	Details
Developer	Netmarble / Netmarble F&C
Release Date	January 28, 2026
Platforms	PS5, PC (Steam), iOS, Android
Genre	Open-World Action RPG
Story Type	Original (Canon-adjacent)
Protagonist	Prince Tristan of Liones
Beta Period	October 30 – November 5, 2025
Monetization	Free-to-Play (Gacha System)
Voice Acting	Full Japanese Voice Cast

Rediscovering Britannia Through Prince Tristan’s Eyes

A Multiverse Tale That Bridges Two Eras

The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin makes a bold narrative decision by positioning itself between the original manga series and Four Knights of the Apocalypse. Instead of retelling Meliodas’ familiar story like Grand Cross did, Origin crafts an entirely original tale with Nakaba Suzuki’s creative involvement. You step into the role of Prince Tristan, the son of Meliodas and Elizabeth, three years after peace was supposedly restored to Britannia.

The peace shatters when a mysterious artifact called “The Book of Stars” emerges from hidden ruins. This legendary item possesses reality-bending powers that rupture the boundaries between timelines, causing characters, locations, and events from multiple eras to converge into a chaotic multiverse. Suddenly, the dried lakebed where Estarossa and Escanor once clashed is filled with water again. Characters who died return mysteriously. The Britannia you knew transforms into something unpredictable and dangerous.

As Prince Tristan, you embark on an adventure alongside your fairy companion Tioreh to investigate these anomalies and restore order to your homeland. The narrative setup is brilliant because it provides narrative freedom while respecting existing canon. Netmarble can introduce virtually any character from the franchise’s history without breaking continuity, creating exciting “what if” scenarios that fans have dreamed about for years.

Story Pacing and Quest Design

During my beta playthrough, I found myself drawn into the main story missions more than the side content. The cutscenes are gorgeously rendered with anime-quality direction and full voice acting from the original cast. The emotional beats land effectively, especially moments featuring family dynamics between Tristan and his parents.

However, I did notice some repetitive quest patterns emerging after the 10-hour mark. Many missions follow a similar structure: travel to location, investigate anomaly, fight enemies, solve puzzle, return for exposition. The puzzles, while thematically appropriate using the Book of Stars’ powers, felt too simplistic. I solved most within 30 seconds without much thought.

Netmarble has time to add variety before launch, and I’m hopeful they’ll expand quest mechanics based on beta feedback. The foundation is solid; it just needs more diversity in mission objectives and more challenging environmental puzzles.

Gameplay: Where Origin Truly Shines

Open-World Exploration That Captures Fantasy

If Grand Cross was a menu-based RPG, Origin is its complete opposite. This is a fully realized open-world adventure where you physically traverse every corner of Britannia. Netmarble has recreated iconic locations with stunning attention to detail:

Kingdom of Liones – The bustling capital where your journey begins, complete with castle grounds, marketplaces, and hidden alleyways
Fairy King’s Forest – A mystical woodland realm with vertical exploration and bioluminescent flora
Istar – Desert landscapes dotted with ancient ruins
Vaizel – The tournament town rendered in 3D glory
Multiple Dungeons – Dark, atmospheric instanced areas with unique mechanics

The scale genuinely impressed me. After completing the tutorial, I spent two hours just exploring, climbing towers, gliding off cliffs, and discovering treasure chests. The world feels alive with NPCs going about their routines, monsters roaming territories, and environmental storytelling through visual details.

Mobility and Traversal Systems

Movement in Origin rivals top-tier open-world games. You have access to:

Sprint and Climbing – Scale virtually any surface Breath of the Wild-style
Hawk Mount – Your faithful pig companion for ground traversal
Owl Mount – For aerial exploration across vast distances
Glider – Deploy mid-air to cover distances and reach hidden areas
Character-Specific Skills – Certain characters have unique traversal abilities

For example, Slader’s “Intimidation” skill functions as stealth, letting you sneak past enemies. Jericho can freeze water surfaces to walk across lakes and rivers. These character-specific mechanics add strategic depth to exploration and hint at future puzzle designs that leverage different characters’ abilities.

The traversal feels smooth and responsive. I never felt frustrated traveling between objectives, which is crucial for an open-world game where you’ll spend dozens of hours exploring.

The Blazing Link-Up Combat System

This is where Seven Deadly Sins: Origin demonstrates its greatest innovation. The combat system combines action RPG mechanics with strategic character switching and devastating synergy attacks.

Party Composition and Character Switching

You assemble a party of four characters who you can swap between instantly during combat. During my playthrough, I ran Tristan, Tioreh, Howzer, and Daisy as my core team. Each character fills a specific role:

DPS Characters – High damage output with elemental attack specializations
Support Characters – Healing, buffing, and defensive utility
Tanks – Drawing aggro and protecting squishier teammates
Hybrid Characters – Flexible roles depending on weapon loadout

The character switching isn’t just cosmetic. Each hero has unique attack patterns, skill sets, and elemental affinities. Mastering when to switch characters became the difference between struggling through encounters and dominating them effortlessly.

Revolutionary Weapon System

Here’s where things get exciting. Every character has three weapon slots, and the weapon you equip completely transforms their playstyle. Take Tristan as an example:

Dual Blades – Fast, combo-focused attacks with high mobility
Greatsword – Slower, heavy-hitting strikes with wide area coverage
Standard Sword – Balanced approach between speed and power

Each weapon type has different skill trees, movesets, and elemental affinities. If you grow bored with one playstyle, simply swap weapons and you’re essentially playing a different character. This system provides incredible build diversity and replay value.

I experimented with all of Tristan’s weapon options, and each felt distinct. The dual blades let me weave in and out of enemy attacks with grace, while the greatsword turned me into an unstoppable force that shattered enemy defenses. The variety kept combat fresh throughout my 15-hour beta experience.

Tag Actions and Synergy Ultimates

The combat’s crowning achievement is the tag system combined with synergy attacks. During battles, you build Tag Points by attacking enemies. Once you’ve accumulated enough points, you can perform a Tag Action—seamlessly switching to another party member while executing a combo attack.

These Tag Actions serve multiple purposes:

Maximize Elemental Synergy – Example: Tristan applies Flame attribute, then tag to Tioreh who reduces enemy Flame resistance
Interrupt Boss Patterns – Some boss attacks can be disrupted by well-timed tags, putting them in a vulnerable groggy state
Extend Combos – Chain multiple characters’ abilities for massive damage
Position Management – Switch to characters better suited for current enemy behaviors

The synergy ultimates take this further. If you create a party with characters who have established relationships (like Tristan and Tioreh, or Diane and King), you can unleash combined ultimate abilities that go beyond simply using two ultimates separately. These joint attacks feature unique animations, special effects, and devastating power that make you feel like you’re watching the anime’s most epic battle sequences.

My only complaint? The game doesn’t clearly indicate which characters can perform synergy ultimates together. I had to experiment with every combination to discover these pairings. A simple icon or indicator showing compatible characters would greatly improve the experience.

Combat Depth and Strategy

The combat isn’t button-mashing. Success requires:

Understanding Elemental Weaknesses – Six elements with rock-paper-scissors relationships
Managing Resources – Tag Points and Ultimate Gauge require strategic spending
Positioning – Some attacks have directional properties or area limitations
Timing – Dodge rolls, parries, and counter-attacks reward precise input
Party Synergy – Building teams with complementary abilities

Boss fights showcase this depth. The Red Demon battle stood out as a tactical challenge. During certain animations, the boss glows blue—the signal to execute a Tag Action to interrupt its devastating attack pattern. Missing this window meant taking massive damage. Learning boss tells and responding appropriately felt satisfying and skillful.

Gacha System and Progression

Star Memories: The Core Currency

Like most free-to-play games, Origin includes a gacha system for acquiring characters and gear. The in-game currency is called “Star Memories,” which you earn through:

Story mission completion
Achievement milestones
Daily login rewards
Event participation
Limited-time promotions

During the beta, Netmarble was extremely generous with Star Memories. I had enough to perform 30+ pulls, which gave me a solid roster. However, I must address the elephant in the room: even with generous currency, I couldn’t pull Meliodas, the character I was most excited to play.

Gacha Rates and Concerns

This highlights my biggest concern with Origin’s monetization. The beta featured standard gacha rates that resulted in many duplicate characters rather than new acquisitions. After 20 pulls without getting the character I wanted, frustration set in.

I understand the beta was designed to be generous to encourage testing, but this experience raised questions about launch day rates. Will free-to-play players have reasonable access to favorite characters? Or will the low rates push players toward spending?

Netmarble needs to find a balance. Consider implementing:

Guaranteed featured character pity system (like other successful gachas)
Selector tickets for loyal players
Dupe protection after certain thresholds
Sparking system allowing direct character purchase after sufficient pulls

The gear gacha seemed more forgiving, with useful weapons and equipment dropping regularly. But character acquisition—the heart of this franchise—needs improvement.

Leveling Curve and Progression Bottlenecks

Character progression felt smooth initially. Resources flowed freely, and leveling up provided tangible power increases. However, around the mid-game point, I hit noticeable difficulty spikes, particularly during the Draco King Drake boss fight.

Suddenly, my previously adequate team struggled despite being at the recommended level. The solution required extensive grinding—farming materials, upgrading equipment, and leveling multiple characters to create better synergies. The difficulty spike felt artificial rather than organic, possibly designed to encourage engagement with grinding systems.

While some challenge is welcome, the sudden jump felt jarring. A more gradual difficulty curve would maintain engagement without causing frustration. Additionally, the auto-mastery option (which automatically distributes skill points) sometimes made suboptimal choices, requiring manual respec later.

Visual Presentation and Performance

Anime Aesthetics Brought to Life

Netmarble nailed the visual style. The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin looks like a playable anime. The cel-shaded graphics perfectly capture Nakaba Suzuki’s art style, with character models that are instantly recognizable to fans. Every character’s design, from their iconic outfits to their facial expressions during cutscenes, demonstrates incredible attention to detail.

The environmental art is equally impressive. Britannia’s landscapes feature:

Sweeping vistas with atmospheric lighting
Dense forests with dynamic foliage
Imposing castle architecture
Mystical magical effects
Weather systems and day/night cycles

One player remarked that the in-game animations surpass Season 3 of the anime, and honestly? I agree. The combat animations, spell effects, and cutscene direction showcase movie-quality production values. When Meliodas uses Full Counter or Escanor activates Sunshine, the visual spectacle rivals the anime’s best moments.

Cinematic Direction and Presentation

The cutscene direction deserves special recognition. Netmarble employed sophisticated camera techniques, dynamic angles, and editing that create cinematic experiences. Story beats are punctuated with dramatic zooms, slow-motion sequences, and character-focused shots that emphasize emotional moments.

For fans who love anime storytelling, Origin delivers. The presentation elevates the narrative, making even standard quest dialogues feel significant.

PC Performance (Beta Build)

I tested the beta on a high-end PC setup:

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D @ 4.20 GHz
GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4070 Ti SUPER
RAM: 32GB DDR5 @ 6000MHz
Storage: Samsung 990 Pro 1TB NVMe
Monitor: 4K QD-OLED @ 240Hz

With these specifications, I maintained smooth performance in most scenarios. The game ran at 60+ FPS in open-world exploration and closed dungeon areas. The visual fidelity at maximum settings was breathtaking.

However, I did encounter issues:

Screen Freezing Bug – Whenever I used consumables from the quick slot (particularly healing potions), my screen froze for 2-3 seconds before returning to normal. This happened consistently and disrupted combat flow. In boss fights, this could mean the difference between life and death.

Frame Rate Inconsistency – While another tester reported drops requiring resolution reduction from 1440p to 1080p, I experienced minor stuttering during intense particle effects with multiple characters using ultimates simultaneously.

Controller Navigation – Menu navigation with controllers felt clunky compared to mouse and keyboard.

These are beta issues that Netmarble has time to address. PC optimization appears to be a priority based on their statements, so I’m optimistic about improvements at launch.

PS5 Performance

The beta was also available on PS5, which many players reported ran smoothly at 60 FPS with impressive visual quality. The console version seemed more stable than PC in some respects, with fewer technical hiccups. For players choosing between platforms, PS5 appears to be the “safe” option for a consistent experience.

Activities Beyond Combat

Fishing, Cooking, and Crafting

Origin includes classic RPG systems beyond combat:

Fishing – Cast your line in rivers, lakes, and oceans to catch various fish species. Some locations host rare catches required for specific quests or cooking recipes.

Cooking – Prepare meals using gathered ingredients. Cooked dishes provide temporary buffs like increased damage, enhanced defense, or improved stamina regeneration. Strategic meal preparation before difficult bosses gave me noticeable advantages.

Crafting – Gather materials from enemy drops, treasure chests, and environmental resources. Use these materials to craft equipment, upgrade weapons, or create consumables. The crafting system links exploration directly to progression, rewarding players who thoroughly explore the world.

These systems aren’t revolutionary, but they’re well-implemented and provide satisfying diversions from main content. I found myself enjoying 30-minute fishing sessions while watching YouTube, which speaks to their relaxing nature.

Side Quests and Activities

The beta included various side quests ranging from simple fetch missions to multi-part questlines with their own storylines. While some were forgettable, others provided meaningful character development and world-building.

My favorite side quest involved helping a former Holy Knight reconcile with his past mistakes. The emotional payoff felt genuine, and the rewards (both narrative and mechanical) justified the time investment.

I hope the full release expands on this quality rather than filling the world with meaningless busywork.

Community and Multiplayer Elements

Cooperative Gameplay

While the beta focused primarily on solo content, the foundation for multiplayer is evident. The UI includes party recruitment systems, friend lists, and what appears to be raid boss preparation menus.

Based on menu hints and community discussions, the full release will include:

Co-op Dungeon Runs – Team up with friends to tackle challenging instanced content
Raid Bosses – Large-scale battles requiring coordinated teams
PvP Arena – Competitive battles (likely available post-launch)
Guild Systems – Social features with group activities

The official Discord community (over 50,000 members) buzzes with excitement about these features. Cross-platform play support means PS5, PC, and mobile players can adventure together—a significant advantage over platform-exclusive games.

Comparing Origin to Grand Cross

Different Games for Different Audiences

Many players ask: “Should I quit Grand Cross for Origin?” The answer is they’re designed for different experiences:

Grand Cross:

Turn-based combat
Menu-driven navigation
Mobile-first design
Retells original manga story
Established meta and content

Origin:

Action RPG combat
Open-world exploration
Console/PC primary platform (mobile secondary)
Original story
Fresh start for everyone

Grand Cross isn’t dying or being replaced. It continues receiving regular updates and maintains a dedicated playerbase. Origin targets players who want a more immersive, action-oriented experience rather than a tactical turn-based game.

If you’re a franchise fan, both games offer value. If you must choose one, consider your preference: strategic turn-based combat (Grand Cross) or dynamic action combat (Origin)?

What Needs Improvement Before Launch?

Critical Issues to Address

Character Gacha Rates – Implement stronger pity systems and dupe protection
Quest Variety – Add more diverse mission types and challenging puzzles
Leveling Curve – Smooth out difficulty spikes and reduce grinding requirements
Synergy Clarity – Show which characters can perform combined ultimates
Technical Bugs – Fix the consumable freezing issue and optimize performance
Tutorial Depth – Better explain advanced combat mechanics for new players

Quality of Life Improvements

Better item sorting and inventory management
More map markers and navigation tools
Skip options for repeated content
Improved controller support for menus
Auto-battle settings customization

Netmarble has three months to polish these elements. Based on their track record and community feedback responsiveness, I’m cautiously optimistic these concerns will be addressed.

My Overall First Impressions Verdict

After 15 hours in The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin closed beta, I’m genuinely excited about its potential. This game delivers:

✅ Stunning anime-faithful visuals that surpass many anime adaptations
✅ Innovative combat system with weapon customization and synergy mechanics
✅ Impressive open-world that captures Britannia’s magic
✅ Original story that respects canon while providing fresh narrative
✅ Full voice acting from the original cast
✅ Cross-platform support for playing with friends

However, it also reveals:

⚠️ Gacha concerns regarding character acquisition rates
⚠️ Progression bottlenecks that could frustrate casual players
⚠️ Technical issues requiring optimization
⚠️ Quest repetition needing more variety

Who Will Love This Game?

Seven Deadly Sins fans craving new stories in the universe
Action RPG enthusiasts who enjoy games like Genshin Impact
Open-world explorers who love discovering secrets
Anime gaming fans seeking high-quality adaptations

Who Might Be Disappointed?

Grand Cross purists expecting identical gameplay
Anti-gacha players uncomfortable with randomized character acquisition
Casual mobile gamers who don’t have time for grinding
Newcomers to the franchise without prior knowledge (though the game is accessible)

Pre-Registration and Launch Preparation

The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin is currently accepting pre-registrations on all platforms:

Mobile: Google Play Store and Apple App Store
PC: Steam and official website
Console: PlayStation Store

Pre-registration rewards include:

Exclusive character (Tioreh)
Draw tickets
Upgrade materials
Special cosmetics

I highly recommend pre-registering regardless of whether you plan to play at launch. The rewards provide significant early-game advantages.

Join the Community

Stay updated by following official channels:

Twitter/X: @7DSO_EN
Discord: Official server with 50,000+ members
Reddit: Growing community sharing strategies and feedback

Final Thoughts: A Promising Future for Britannia

The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin represents Netmarble’s ambition to create a AAA-quality anime game that rivals major titles in the genre. Despite beta issues, the foundation is exceptional. The combat system alone justifies attention, and the visual presentation exceeds expectations.

My biggest concern remains monetization balance. If Netmarble can create a fair free-to-play experience where dedication matters more than spending, Origin will thrive. If aggressive monetization dominates, it risks alienating the fanbase that made the franchise successful.

For fans like me who’ve waited years for this game, the beta confirmed it’s worth the anticipation. I’ll be there on January 28, 2026, ready to lose myself in Britannia’s multiverse once again.

Whether you’re a hardcore Seven Deadly Sins devotee or an action RPG fan seeking your next obsession, keep The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin on your radar. This is potentially the definitive Seven Deadly Sins gaming experience we’ve been waiting for.

Mark your calendars, Star Guardians. Britannia awaits.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Seven Deadly Sins: Origin release?

The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin launches on January 28, 2026, simultaneously across PlayStation 5, PC (Steam), iOS, and Android platforms.

Is Seven Deadly Sins: Origin replacing Grand Cross?

No. Grand Cross continues as an active game with regular updates. Origin is a separate experience targeting different gameplay preferences (action RPG vs. turn-based), and both games will coexist.

Do I need to know the Seven Deadly Sins story to play Origin?

While prior knowledge enhances the experience, Origin features an original story with its own protagonist (Tristan) and provides enough context for newcomers. However, watching the anime or reading the manga will deepen your appreciation.

Is Seven Deadly Sins: Origin free-to-play?

Yes, Origin is free-to-play with gacha monetization for characters and equipment. Pre-registration rewards and gameplay provide free currency for pulls, though optimal progression may encourage spending.

Can I play with friends on different platforms?

Yes! Origin supports cross-platform play between PS5, PC, and mobile, allowing friends to adventure together regardless of platform choice.

How large is the download size?

Beta versions were approximately 30-40GB. The final release size hasn’t been confirmed but expect similar storage requirements based on the game’s graphical quality.

What are the minimum system requirements for PC?

Official requirements haven’t been released, but based on beta performance:

Minimum: GTX 1060 / RX 580, 8GB RAM, 40GB storage
Recommended: RTX 3060 / RX 6700 XT, 16GB RAM, SSD storage

Will there be English voice acting?

The beta featured Japanese voice acting with English subtitles. No official confirmation on English dub, though community requests have been vocal.

How does the gacha system work?

Players use Star Memories (in-game currency) to pull from banners featuring characters and equipment. Rates and pity systems will be clarified at launch, though beta feedback suggests improvements needed.

Can I play Origin offline?

No. Origin requires an internet connection for all content, including solo story missions, due to its live-service nature and server-based progression.

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