Players must seek out lodestones to build mana tapping structures on, getting the renewing energy to build structures and units with. Unlike the original Total Annihilation, which has most of the units on its two factions virtually the same, other than in appearance, Kingdoms has very distinct characteristics between factions.While the original Total Annihilation has players playing through the Core or Arm campaigns separately, Kingdoms switches between the four groups, players playing each side as the levels progress.Four sides at the start, as opposed to the original's two, with an expansion pack that added a fifth.Simplified resource management, with just one resource (mana) instead of two (metal, energy).A change from a futuristic to a fantasy setting.A more in-depth storyline, told with cutscenes between missions, just as Total Annihilation had, but with more detail.There are numerous thematic and design differences between Total Annihilation and Kingdoms. Although the game is neither a prequel nor a sequel to the original Total Annihilation, comparisons between the two games are inevitable. Total Annihilation: Kingdoms is the second installment of the Total Annihilation franchise. However, like in Total Annihilation, players can recycle debris/carcasses of fallen units and structures as well as natural objects of the map, like trees and stones, to acquire instant amounts of mana.Ĭomparison to Total Annihilation Unlike Total Annihilation, players utilize a single resource (Mana), which can be generated and increased by building resource-gathering Lodestones in special locations.

While in single-player mode, victory is accomplished by following each scenario's objectives, multiplayer mode offers victory by the destruction of all the faction's units and structures or simply the monarch alone. The monarch itself also possesses an array of spells which it can use to defend itself or turn the tide of the battle. Players choose between four factions - Aramon, Veruna, Taros and Zhon (As well as Creon, in the Iron Plague expansion), all of which start with a monarch, who is initially used to build structures and form an army. The game is played from a bird's eye perspective.

Total annihilation kingdoms units