Dynasty Warriors: Origins, similar to its predecessors, is set during the fall of the Han Dynasty in China. Featuring a semi-linear campaign where you play as an original character, the Wanderer, you must partake in dozens of battles to bring about a new age. Still, you might be wondering just how many hours you need to spend to get all the way to the conclusion. Here's our guide on how long it takes to beat Dynasty Warriors: Origins. Likewise, please be reminded that this article contains minor spoilers.
How long to beat Dynasty Warriors: Origins - Campaign length and mission list guide
Generally speaking, it should take roughly 25 to 30 hours to beat Dynasty Warriors: Origins. This assumes that you're playing on Wayfarer (i.e. Normal) difficulty and you're just focusing on main missions. Do take note, however, that missions have a suggested level requirement. As such, you still need to tackle side objectives to boost your character's capabilities.
Those who want to do the main missions and a bit of side content can expect around 30 to 35 hours of playtime. This includes completing a few skirmishes to increase your level, tackling the Shards of the Past side quest to unlock secret skills, and undertaking more battles in Chapter 3 before you make a pivotal decision (more on this later).
Lastly, completionists will be glad to know that it would take over 60 hours to unlock everything in Dynasty Warriors: Origins. This is because of the game's Story Replay function, Old Coins rewards, Altered Fates, and Ultimate Warrior challenges.
Campaign progression and mission list for Chapters 1 and 2
If you're trying to complete Dynasty Warriors: Origins, then it might seem like it has a linear campaign at a glance. This is primarily due to how Chapters 1 and 2 are structured. Early in the campaign, the Wanderer roams around partaking in battles as part of various volunteer and regional forces.
Prologue and Chapter 1 battles:
First Battle
Test of Zhang Fei
Battle of Guangyang
Battle of Yingchuan
Battle of Wan Castle
Battle of Guangzong
Final Battle Against the Yellow Turbans and Zhang Jiao boss fight
Chapter 2 battles:
Suppression of You Province
Suppression of Liang Province
Suppression of Jing Province
Subjugation of the White Wave Bandits
Protection of Wang Yun
Rebellion of the Ten Attendants
Assassination of Dong Zhuo
Battle of Sishui Gate
Battle of Hulao Gate
Campaign progression and major decisions in Chapter 3
Then, come Chapter 3, you need to make a few pivotal decisions. We discuss these in detail in our Chapter 3: Cao Cao, Liu Bei, or Sun Jian guide, but here are some tidbits:
You need to complete a certain number of battles for the three main clans/factions: Cao, Liu, and Sun. Advancing past a certain point while below this threshold prevents you from joining that faction permanently later on.
There are also some moments when you have to choose between two sides, such as the Battle of Xu Province (Cao Cao vs. Liu Bei and Tao Qian).
In the interlude between Chapters 3 and 4, you have to pick between the last remaining options. The Wanderer will be part of that faction for the remaining missions up to the game's conclusion.
In our initial playthrough, we opted to prioritize the Sun family for the most part, while also tackling missions for Cao Cao and Liu Bei. Then, when we got the Xu Province prompt, we sided with Cao Cao.
Later, when we had to choose between Cao Cao and Sun Jian, we decided to stick with the Sun family. Finally, when we finished the campaign, we opted to replay a branching path to try a few of Cao Cao's battles.
Campaign progression and mission list for Chapters 3, 4, and 5
Chapter 3 battles:
Sun force: Assault on Nanyang
Siege of Fan Castle
Battle of Xiangyang
Battle of Xiaopei
Battle of Lujiang
Escape from Danyang
Cao force: Suppression of Yan Province
Battle of Xu Province
First Battle of Puyang
Battle of Yu Province
Second Battle of Puyang
Rescue of Emperor Xian
Liu force: Battle of Jieqiao
Battle of Beihai
Battle of Xu
TBD (multiple battles)
Chapter 4 battles:
Sun force: Battle of Niuzhu
Battle of Shenting
Conquest of Wu
Subjugation of Yuan Shu
Battle of Mt. Xisai
Suppression of Wu
Cao force: Escape from Wan Castle
Escape from Xiaopei
Battle of Xiapi and Lu Bu boss fight
Assault on Xiapi
Battle of Baima and Yanjin
Battle of Guandu
Liu force: Defense of Xiapi
TBD (multiple battles)
1,000-Li March of Guan Yu
Chapter 5 battles:
Sun force: Subjugation of Lujiang
Subjugation of Huang Zu
Subjugation of Kuaiji
Final Battle at Xiakou
Battle of Sanjiangkou
Battle of Chibi
Cao force: Battle of Ye
TBD (multiple battles)
Battle of Huarong Path
Liu force: Battle of Runan
TBD (multiple battles)
Battle of Huarong Path
Completionists: What are the types of side content?
Those who want to put in more hours into Dynasty Warriors: Origins can do so by trying various side content. Here are some examples:
Search for Memories/Shards of the Past - Complete this side quest to learn about the Wanderer's background and unlock powerful hidden skills.
Old Coins - Amass this special currency to receive nifty rewards at the Shui Jing Retreat.
There are also others that you can tackle upon completing the campaign once. Doing so unlocks the Story Replay options and other mechanics:
Story Replay - Allows you to replay certain restart points in the campaign. You may also redo one-off battles that you've finished beforehand.
Altered Fates - Those familiar with Romance of the Three Kingdoms will know that a few important characters perish throughout the course of the story. However, you can replay these points to find ways to save them, which then unlocks secret cutscenes and endings.
Ultimate Warrior difficulty and challenges - You can change to Ultimate Warrior difficulty, which makes enemies significantly tougher. Battles also have challenges only available with this difficulty selected, and these net you unique rewards, including mounts, weapons, and Old Coins.
Weapon min-maxing - You may also upgrade and reforge weapons, strengthening them and assigning ideal perks.
True Warrior rank - Once you get past level 81, you'll unlock True Warrior rank, which has additional skills/perks and bravery pips.
That does it for our guide on how long it takes to beat Dynasty Warriors: Origins. If you're just starting out, we recommend that you head over to our beginner's guide.
