Total Annihilation Reviews

Good stuff.

One of the greatest games of all time

very glad to see it re-released

My dad likes it, he says it reminds him of the good days :)

Mother of RTS. This is the Alpha and the Omega. and its cheap enough to give it a try.

had a lot of fun replaying this game, back to the old days. Is there any way to get the expansion packs going? Worked well on my device running linux (ubuntu)

Fantastic classic game. Simple, fair, fun.

Total Annihilation, released in 1997 and now available on Steam, stands as one of the most influential and innovative real-time strategy games ever created. Developed by Cavedog Entertainment and designed by Chris Taylor, the game was a technological and gameplay revolution for its time, and many of its core mechanics remain relevant and impressive even by modern standards. It delivered a scale and complexity that far exceeded the expectations of the genre during the late '90s, offering not only a compelling single-player experience but also deep, emergent gameplay that still appeals to RTS enthusiasts today. At the heart of Total Annihilation is a futuristic war between two factions: the Core and the Arm. Both are human-derived civilizations locked in an unrelenting galactic conflict over ideology and survival. Although the factions are visually different and have some mechanical distinctions, the gameplay remains well-balanced, with each side offering equivalent opportunities for tactical expression. The campaign mode introduces the lore through a series of challenging missions that build in complexity, but the real strength of the game lies in its sandbox-style skirmish and multiplayer battles, where its systems are allowed to flourish without constraint. What made Total Annihilation groundbreaking was its real 3D terrain and physics-based projectile system. Unlike most RTS titles at the time that used simple sprite-based units and flat maps, TA featured units that respected elevation and line of sight. Artillery would arc over hills, and terrain could block shots or obscure movement, creating a level of tactical depth that rewarded positioning and planning. Additionally, units fired actual projectiles that could miss moving targets, introducing a more realistic and dynamic flow to combat. This physicality made every encounter feel alive and unpredictable, in contrast to the deterministic combat systems of its contemporaries. Another major innovation was the game’s resource model. Total Annihilation used two primary resources: metal and energy. Instead of mining finite ore or chopping wood like in other RTS games, players built metal extractors on deposits and power plants for energy, which produced resources continuously over time. This led to a more fluid economy, but also introduced complex resource balancing, where expansion, unit construction, and energy consumption had to be carefully managed to prevent a total system stall. The game’s unique approach to unit construction—using builders to gradually spend resources over time rather than instantaneously—further emphasized this economic balance, demanding foresight and efficient base layouts. Scale was another defining feature. Battles in Total Annihilation could grow to immense proportions, with hundreds of units swarming across massive maps. Naval battles, air strikes, orbital artillery, and nuclear weapons all played a role in shaping the battlefield. Late-game confrontations were awe-inspiring, not just because of the size, but because of how different unit types—each with their own roles, strengths, and weaknesses—interacted with one another. Commanders, the massive central unit each player starts with, added another layer of tension. They were powerful builders and decent combatants, but their destruction would result in a massive explosion and the loss of the game, creating high-stakes moments where a single lapse in awareness could lead to total defeat. Visually, Total Annihilation has aged, but its functional aesthetic still holds up thanks to its clarity and unit readability. The isometric perspective, combined with consistent and detailed unit animations, makes managing large armies surprisingly smooth. The terrain variety and environmental effects—such as day/night cycles, weather, and water physics—help establish a sense of place and atmosphere that was rare at the time of release. More importantly, the interface, while basic by today’s standards, was ahead of its era with features like queuing, patrol paths, and grouped commands that made large-scale control viable without becoming overwhelming. A standout feature that still garners praise is the game’s soundtrack, composed by Jeremy Soule. Rather than typical MIDI fare, the game featured a fully orchestrated score, dynamically shifting to reflect the action onscreen. When a skirmish intensified, the music swelled with urgency. In moments of calm, it turned introspective and ambient. This musical attention to pacing enhanced immersion and emotional resonance, elevating the experience far beyond what most strategy games of the time could offer. Multiplayer and mod support were vital components of Total Annihilation’s long life. Even decades later, a dedicated community continues to support the game with new content, balance patches, and full conversions. From the inclusion of the Core Contingency and Battle Tactics expansions to community mods like TA: Escalation and Spring Engine-based recreations, the game has seen continuous evolution and adaptation. This commitment to community engagement is a key reason the game has endured as more than just a relic of the past—it’s still an active, evolving strategy experience. Total Annihilation remains a landmark achievement in real-time strategy design. Its blend of scale, physics, resource management, and emergent tactics set a gold standard that influenced future titles like Supreme Commander, Planetary Annihilation, and even parts of the StarCraft and Company of Heroes series. While modern players may be daunted by its dated UI or lack of hand-holding, those who spend the time to learn its systems will find a game that rewards creativity, foresight, and strategic thinking in a way that few RTS games since have replicated. On Steam, it serves as both a nostalgic return and a masterclass in what intelligent, ambitious design can achieve in the genre. Rating: 10/10

This is an old game when i first played it as a child this is the starter to any thing related to this if you play bar this is a good starter for your concept of bar.

GOATED RTS game, this one shaped my childhood. I'm praying Sanctuary, Shattered Sun is amazing too as a spiritual successor because modern RTS games just don't even come close to old-school ones.