Skip to content
Once Upon a Time
Desperados III

Once Upon a Time

Guide your young John Cooper through the 'Once Upon a Time' prologue in Desperados III. Learn core mechanics, stealth tactics, and how to use distractions to overcome early challenges.

By ···10 min read·Multi-source verified
1 reading this guide  

Guide your young John Cooper through the 'Once Upon a Time' prologue in Desperados III. Learn core mechanics, stealth tactics, and how to use distractions to overcome early challenges.

Alright, so this first mission, 'Once Upon a Time,' is basically your grand introduction to Desperados III. You'll be playing as a young John Cooper, and it’s designed to teach you the ropes. Think of it as a prologue and a tutorial all rolled into one.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    You start off following your dad, James Cooper. Just stick with him along the path. Keep an eye out for a tutorial page tucked behind a wagon – grab it to learn about the characters and how their abilities work.
  2. 2
    Up ahead, you'll see a guard by a gate. You've got a couple of options here: you can either hop over the nearby house or just duck into the bushes. The key is to get out of his line of sight before you move through the gate.
  3. 3
    Once you're past the gate, head behind the wagon. There's another guard you need to deal with. Your trusty coin throw is perfect here – toss it to distract him, making him look the other way so you can advance.
  4. 4
    Next up, crouch down and make your way to the bushes ahead. You'll see a horse nearby. Throw another coin at the horse – this is a great way to knock out anyone standing behind it without raising an alarm.
  5. 5
    Your dad, James, will handle the other guard for you. Now, the gate ahead is locked. Head west from here and you'll find some vines you can climb. Once you're up, throw the ladder down so James can follow you.
  6. 6
    Keep moving forward and get behind the barrels. Ahead, there are three guards. Use your coin distraction again – throw it to make them look away, then you can slip past. After that, climb the ladder and jump over to the next roof.
  7. 7
    From the roof, jump down and make your way to the bush on the right. There's an enemy near the cliff. Throw a coin to distract him, and James will move in to knock him out. Remember to tie him up and drag the body into the bush so he doesn't get spotted.
  8. 8
    Now, advance further and you'll see some platforms. Jump across them. Then, walk towards the vine. Throw a coin to distract the enemy closest to you. Quickly run to the other side, climb the vine, and interact with the crane. This will take down the enemies below.
  9. 9
    Finally, proceed forward and you'll meet up with Cooper's father. This completes the chapter!
Tips
  • Don't forget to use the tutorial pages you find. They're there to help you understand the game's mechanics, which are crucial for later missions.
  • Mastering the coin distraction is key. It's your go-to for dealing with guards without resorting to direct confrontation, especially early on.
  • Always be mindful of enemy cones of vision. Hiding in bushes and using cover is essential for staying undetected.
  • Pay attention to your father's actions; he'll often help out with guards or provide support.

100% Human-Written. AI Fact-Checked. Community Verified. Learn how AntMag verifies content