Dynasty Warriors: Origins: Unlocking the Shu True Ending

Unlocking the true ending for Liu Bei's Shu faction in Dynasty Warriors: Origins requires a bit more than just completing the campaign. After finishing the main Shu storyline, you'll gain access to replayable stages. Look for a gold banner next to "The Battle of Changban"—this marks the stage with the alternate ending. Normally, you help Liu Bei escape, but for the true ending, you must defeat Cao Cao.

This is no easy feat. You'll essentially be facing Cao Cao's army solo while simultaneously protecting Liu Bei. It's a true test of the "1 vs. 1000" gameplay the series is known for. Failure to defeat Cao Cao before Liu Bei falls means restarting the battle.

To increase your odds, consider these strategies: Lower the game's difficulty to Historian mode. This makes the sheer number of enemies more manageable. Also, choose Zhang Fei as your partner; his starting position will place you closer to Cao Cao's forces, saving you valuable time.

Prepare for Cao Cao's Grand Tactics—two devastating attacks requiring you to eliminate enemy officers and defeat a large number of soldiers. A weapon like twin pikes can be particularly effective for clearing out the soldier waves. Once Cao Cao's army is routed, defeating him should be relatively straightforward. After this pivotal battle, only a few more missions stand between you and the Shu true ending.

Congratulations! You've unlocked the true ending for Shu in Dynasty Warriors: Origins, available now for PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S.