How Long is Terra Invicta? Campaign Playtime & Strategy Guide (2026)

How long is Terra Invicta? In this grand strategy epic from XCOM Long War mod creators, you lead humanity’s factions through alien invasion from shadow governments to solar system dominance — how long is Terra Invicta playtime varies dramatically based on experience and faction choice.

At XMODhub, our research team analyzed player reports showing 100-160 hours for first campaigns, with experienced players completing in 40-60 hours. The game launched version 1.0 on January 5, 2026 after 3 years in Early Access.

Below is the most accurate playtime breakdown you’ll find, including tips to optimize your faction’s journey to the stars.

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Quick Data Snapshot

• First Campaign: 100 – 160 Hours
• Experienced Player: 40 – 60 Hours
• Completionist (Full Solar System): 200 – 300+ Hours
• XMODhub Assisted Run: 50 Hours (Focus on Strategic Decisions)

Table of Contents

• Core Loop: How Long Are Campaign Phases?
• First-Time vs. Veteran: The Reality Check
• Faction Choice Impact on Playtime
• The Solar System Progression Factor
• Terra Invicta vs. Similar Games: A Quick Comparison
• Mastering Time with XMODhub Trainers
• FAQ
• Conclusion

Core Loop: How Long Are Campaign Phases?

Terra Invicta features three distinct gameplay phases that transform dramatically. One thing that makes Terra Invicta such an extremely unusual strategy game, is that its gameplay 10 hours in looks nothing like the state of affairs after thirty hours.

Early Game (0-20 hours): Geopolitical shadow warfare managing councillors, control points, and Earth nations. Assign operatives to run campaigns, stir unrest, and establish power bases through dice-roll actions.

Mid Game (20-80 hours): Transition to space strategy with mining operations, shipbuilding, and initial solar system colonization. The game transmogrifies to become a space strategy game with base building and Newtonian space combat.

Late Game (80+ hours): Full solar system control with hundreds of planets, moons, and asteroids colonized. Large-scale fleet battles and endgame victory condition pushes.

Expect significantly longer sessions on first playthroughs while learning the unforgiving mechanics. Players report not realizing critical mistakes until 30 hours later due to deeply interconnected systems.

First-Time vs. Veteran: The Reality Check

The 100-160 Hour First Campaign

New players report first campaigns taking 100-160 hours to complete. One source claims the average playtime is 42 hours, and less than 3% of players have ever beaten the game on normal difficulty. First campaigns often extend to in-game year 2060s-2080s.

However, I estimate it takes a new player maybe 20 hours of gaming to establish good space mines, maybe an experienced min/max player can do it in ten. Then double or triple that to get through mid and end game.

The 40-60 Hour Veteran Experience

Once you are familiar with the game you can win it with anti-alien factions in the middle of 2030s. Experienced players report completing campaigns in 40-60 hours by optimizing Earth control and rushing space development.

XMODhub Insight: Players report spending 100+ hours only to realize they’re in a death spiral and cannot reasonably recover, requiring complete restarts. Our analysis shows 50% of playtime is spent on micromanagement and recovering from opaque mistakes.

Faction Choice Impact on Playtime

Terra Invicta offers seven ideological factions with unique victory conditions affecting campaign length:

Fast Factions (Shorter Campaigns):

• The Initiative: Corporate space colonization focus
• The Protectorate: Alien cooperation path

Moderate Factions:

• The Resistance: Balanced anti-alien approach
• Humanity First: Military xenophobic strategy
• The Academy: Scientific research path

Slow Factions (Longer Campaigns):

• The Servants: Population control requirements (50-60% world population objectives)
• Project Exodus: Requires full solar system colonization before departure

Faction objectives dramatically alter playtime. The Servants need to control massive population percentages with multiple staged objectives that extend campaigns significantly.

The Solar System Progression Factor

Terra Invicta bridges the gap between our modern-day world and vast interstellar empires. Over 300 asteroids, moons, and planets in constant motion create an ever-changing strategic map.

Minimal Space (Faster): Focus only on Earth control and LEO dominance can shorten campaigns to 40-50 hours for experienced players.

Full Solar System (Completionist): Colonizing all major bodies including most moons and orbits, plus valuable Asteroid/Kuiper Belt objects extends playtime to 200-300+ hours.

Players choosing full colonization report campaigns lasting well into the 2070s-2080s in-game, requiring 150-200 real-world hours. One player reported a Resistance campaign continuing through 2071 taking 160+ cumulative hours.

Terra Invicta vs. Similar Games: A Quick Comparison

• Crusader Kings 3: ~80 hours for dynasty (Grand strategy focus)
• Stellaris: ~100 hours for galaxy (Space 4X focus)
• XCOM: Long War 2: ~120 hours for campaign (Tactical combat focus)
• Terra Invicta: ~120 hours first campaign (Grand strategy + space 4X + tactical combat hybrid)

Terra Invicta sits in a unique category combining Paradox-style geopolitics, space colonization, and Newtonian fleet combat. It takes easily twice as long if not longer to complete compared to similar Civ 5 games. Many people report games lasting well over 300 hours.

Mastering Time with XMODhub Trainers

Why spend 150 hours on councillor micromanagement when you can focus on strategic conquest? XMODhub will offer trainers for the game on the release day.

XMODhub Features:

Control Point Automation: Instantly secure Earth regions without tedious operative dice-roll grinding

Research Acceleration: Unlock technology trees without waiting dozens of hours for research points

Resource Management: Infinite funding and materials for rapid space station and mining base construction

Fleet Building: Access advanced ship components and drive systems immediately for tactical experimentation

Influence Stabilization: Automatically maintain region control without constant defensive actions

FAQ

Q: How long does a typical Terra Invicta campaign last?

A: First campaigns take 100-160 hours. Experienced players complete in 40-60 hours. Full solar system colonization extends to 200-300+ hours.

Q: Why do campaigns take so long?

A: Even on accelerated game speed, it can take hours of real-time gameplay before you ever reach the stars. The game starts as geopolitical simulator and transforms into space strategy mid-campaign.

Q: Can I speed up campaigns?

A: The game offers accelerated speed options, but even then expect 80+ hours minimum for first completion. XMODhub automation helps streamline tedious micromanagement.

Q: Is there a time limit?

A: No. Campaigns can theoretically continue forever, though reaching year 2099 would take 200-300 hours. You control when to achieve your faction’s victory conditions.

Q: Do I need to restart if I make mistakes?

A: Possibly. Many players restart multiple times as they learn systems and realize mistakes made 30+ hours earlier. The steep learning curve paired with extended playtime makes this frustrating.

Conclusion: Conquer the Solar System, Your Way

Terra Invicta puts the “grand” in grand strategy, offering experienced players a deeply involved game taking them from shadow government to space-faring superpower. Expect 100-160 hours for first campaigns with potential 200-300+ hours for completionist runs.

XMODhub streamlines the experience by reducing tedious operative management and resource grinding, letting you focus on strategic decision-making and tactical fleet battles. Lead your faction to victory without the time sink.

Ready to unite humanity against the alien threat?

[Download XMODhub’s Terra Invicta Suite]