Total Annihilation

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Total Annihilation is a single player and multiplayer real-time strategy game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Cavedog Entertainment and was released on December 18, 2015. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"Total Annihilation" is a real-time strategy game featuring intense battles between vast armies and epic units. Players construct bases, gather resources, and command powerful armies to defeat their opponents in varied and detailed environments. With a focus on strategy and tactics, the game offers a deep and rewarding experience for fans of the RTS genre.

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97%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,547 reviews

music116 positive mentions

stability8 negative mentions

Total Annihilation is a timeless classic that revolutionized the RTS genre with its innovative mechanics and 3D graphics.
The game offers a vast array of units and strategies, allowing for diverse gameplay and high replayability.
The soundtrack composed by Jeremy Soule is exceptional, enhancing the overall experience and atmosphere of the game.

The game suffers from outdated graphics and a clunky user interface that can be frustrating for modern players.
AI pathfinding issues can lead to units getting stuck, making strategic gameplay more challenging than it should be.
There are significant compatibility issues with modern operating systems, often requiring patches and workarounds to run smoothly.

music
209 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
43%
1%
The music in the game, composed by Jeremy Soule, is widely celebrated as one of its standout features, with many reviewers praising its epic orchestral quality and dynamic responsiveness to gameplay events. The soundtrack enhances immersion and emotional engagement, making battles feel more intense and memorable. Despite some minor issues with repetition and volume, the overall consensus is that the music is a timeless masterpiece that significantly elevates the gaming experience.
- “The music changes dynamically based on what's happening, so when a massive battle kicks off, you really feel it.”
- “From the moment I first booted up the game and heard the iconic soundtrack by Jeremy Soule, I knew I was in for something special.”
- “The true gem of this game is Jeremy Soule's soundtrack, easily one of the greatest in all of video gaming.”
- “The soundtrack perhaps is the only thing I never heard since I have it at 20% volume; it kept repeating the same song over and over again.”
- “Soundtracks seem a bit off, wrong timing for events, not too big of an issue.”
- “There are a few minor bugs to do with the in-game music, but I think for a 20-year-old game, we can forgive it this minor evil.”
graphics
178 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
60%
11%
The graphics of Total Annihilation are widely regarded as dated, reflecting its late 90s origins, yet many players appreciate their nostalgic charm and clarity, which still support gameplay despite modern advancements. While some reviews note that the visuals lack the polish of contemporary titles, others highlight that the game's art style and unit readability have aged surprisingly well, contributing to its enduring appeal. Overall, while the graphics may not meet today's standards, they do not detract from the game's classic and enjoyable RTS experience.
- “For a game made in the late 90s, this game has held up phenomenally well, with fantastic artwork, a huge array of maps and units, and punchy sound effects.”
- “The game's graphics, while dated by today's standards, were groundbreaking at the time, with detailed unit designs and sprawling landscapes that brought the game's futuristic setting to life.”
- “The visuals still hold up, with solidly modeled machines, angling to accommodate the contours of the landscape - an original feature at release, it still looks convincing to this day.”
- “Graphics are awful, can't tell your vehicles apart.”
- “The graphics are very basic, but considering the game is 5000 years old ;) it's very good!”
- “The graphics are dated, but they don't hold the game back.”
gameplay
140 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
62%
2%
The gameplay of this classic RTS is widely praised for its depth, balance, and innovative mechanics that remain relevant even decades after its release. Players appreciate the strategic complexity, intuitive controls, and the ability to manage large-scale battles without the frustration of micromanagement, making it accessible for both casual and veteran gamers. Despite some dated graphics and minor frustrations with certain mechanics, the overall experience is described as engaging and rewarding, with significant replay value and a strong community supporting it.
- “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.”
- “Controlling armies of tanks, mechs, and aircraft felt incredibly satisfying, and the strategic depth of the gameplay kept me coming back for more.”
- “The gameplay and levels were so well designed that the game is still very enjoyable 25 years later!”
- “There are also frustrating mechanics like the auto air repair pads.”
- “The mechanics are so primitive that it's more a matter of rock-paper-scissors than anything tactical.”
- “For new players, it can be a sort of struggle to get into the game since there is no tutorial; I advise just playing the campaign on easy first, you will have enough time to understand the mechanics and units.”
story
103 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
76%
4%
The story aspect of the game features two extensive campaigns for the Arm and Core factions, each filled with numerous missions that introduce players to the lore and mechanics of the game. While some players appreciate the compelling narrative and the depth of the gameplay, others find the story to be thin and the mission design frustrating, particularly for newcomers. Overall, the game offers a mix of engaging storytelling and challenging gameplay, though opinions vary on its execution and relevance in today's gaming landscape.
- “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.”
- “The storytelling and narration, along with the all-out bitter warfare of the Core and the Arm, is highly compelling.”
- “The core contingency adds an excellent single-player arc for each faction, and along with the story, many exciting new units.”
- “The story of the original campaign and expansions is pretty threadbare and not very interesting.”
- “I wouldn't say playing through the story campaign is worth your time, but the custom maps and skirmish are worth it.”
- “The only shortcoming I found was in the 'story' and how it was presented in the game; it essentially boils down to completely annihilating the opposing side at any cost.”
stability
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
57%
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while many players report it runs smoothly on modern systems, issues such as freezing after saving, glitches on larger screens, and some bugs related to older hardware are common. Users have noted that despite its age, it performs well on various operating systems, though some adjustments may be needed for optimal performance.
- “Plays flawlessly with no glitches.”
- “I am shocked it runs great on Windows 10 with zero issues.”
- “Still runs great on modern systems, even though it was released almost 20 years ago.”
- “I love this game but it freezes after reloading a saved game.”
- “If you're thinking of trying this game out, note that this is a real old game that will be buggy/glitchy on modern systems.”
- “Wtf just freezes and won't let me do anything.”
replayability
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
39%
23%
The game boasts exceptional replayability, driven by a vast array of units, community-generated content, and expansions that enhance the experience. Despite its age, players find it endlessly engaging, with both multiplayer and single-player modes offering countless hours of fun. Nostalgia and unique mechanics further contribute to its lasting appeal, making it a worthwhile investment for fans of the genre.
- “It has infinite replayability and can always be challenging.”
- “This game was revolutionary in 1997 and although its age is apparent now, its replay value, massive amount of community content, and (for some) nostalgia mean that it's still a blast to play today.”
- “Total Annihilation was full of replay value due to the number of units and maps the community was creating at the time and the two official expansions that were released in the spring of '98.”
- “Unique mechanics, simple but very effective resource farming, and plenty of replay value to make this game a worthwhile purchase.”
atmosphere
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
46%
27%
The game's atmosphere is described as a unique blend of grim and operatic elements, enhanced by diverse terrain, dynamic environmental effects, and a haunting soundtrack. Reviewers highlight its unmatched ability to create a sense of place and evoke strong emotions, setting a high benchmark for atmosphere in the RTS genre. Overall, the combination of imaginative sci-fi elements and a dark, immersive ambiance contributes to its lasting impact and appeal.
- “There’s a distinct atmosphere, part dune, part Battletech—that feels both grim and operatic.”
- “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.”
- “However, aside from brilliant base design, this conveyed one of the darkest atmospheres I've ever experienced.”
- “My opinion has not changed in the nearly two decades that have passed since Total Annihilation's launch date; this is still a forward-thinking masterwork of the RTS genre, its eerily desolate atmosphere and lush, Jeremy Soule-composed score just as evocative as it was back then.”
- “The pure atmosphere and 'feel' of the game is still unrivaled.”
humor
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as a mix of dark humor and situational comedy, with players finding amusement in unexpected gameplay mechanics and quirks. While the characters may lack the charm of those from Blizzard games, the humor still resonates through clever challenges and amusing player experiences. Overall, the game is noted for its ability to evoke laughter despite its serious strategic elements.
- “Actually requires you to think, challenges your creativity for completion and has some dark humor.”
- “(which is sending units to move and attack on sight) funny story, I clicked attack on a position thinking it was attack move, couldn't figure out why my units were attacking units I couldn't even see... it was the ground lol.”
- “It's funny of all the strategy games out there this one still takes the cake for me.”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews. While it runs well on modern systems and can handle large battles without significant issues, some players note that it struggles with widescreen support and may not perform optimally at higher resolutions. Additionally, it can still run on low-end hardware, but performance may degrade in more demanding scenarios.
- “For me, it was especially more enjoyable this year as I have a computer that can render pretty much as many units on the screen as you want, so I got to experience some of those massive battles that you always see in screenshots but could never quite get to run smoothly on those early 3D cards.”
- “In addition to these units, the game considers physics, including wind speed and gravity, as relevant factors affecting unit performance, which was not attempted in RTS games prior to this title.”
- “A classic, but has not aged well. This version has widescreen support, but it is not optimized for widescreen; it plays best in the original resolution.”
- “As far as optimization goes, settings and resolutions have been adjusted for modern systems, and the game ran without the use of modernization tweaks or mods.”
- “Most modern-day PCs won't have a problem until, like in Skyrim, you hit a point where your computer begins to chug along.”
emotional
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews highlight the game's strong emotional impact, noting its ability to inspire nostalgia and immersion through musical pacing. Players express heartfelt connections, with some shedding tears during gameplay, and praise it as one of the most wholesome and innovative RTS games of its era.
- “But I still give it a heartfelt thumbs-up for everything it was, and everything it inspired.”
- “This musical attention to pacing enhanced immersion and emotional resonance, elevating the experience far beyond what most strategy games of the time could offer.”
- “Shed a tear while playing this, the same fun I've had 16 years ago when I first played this :')”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly when it comes to battling through large bases and defeating numerous enemies. However, the unique mechanics and effective resource farming contribute to a sense of replay value, making the overall experience worthwhile, especially when playing with friends.
- “Building huge sprawling bases takes forever to fight through, and it's extremely tedious to kill everything.”
- “Playing with friends via TCP/IP is very tedious.”
- “The grinding aspect of the game feels repetitive and can become a chore over time.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The monetization aspect of the game is praised for its absence of microtransactions, allowing players to enjoy a pure RTS experience without gimmicks. Additionally, the game offers excellent mod support, enhancing its longevity and player engagement.
- “This game is everything an RTS should be, no gimmicks, no microtransactions, fantastic mod support even to this day.”

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9h Median play time

17h Average play time

22h Main story

56h Completionist

4-11h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 11 analyzed playthroughs

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Total Annihilation is a real-time strategy game with science fiction theme.

Total Annihilation is available on PC, Mac OS and Windows.

The main story can be completed in around 22 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 56 hours to finish. On average players spend around 17 hours playing Total Annihilation.

Total Annihilation was released on December 18, 2015.

Total Annihilation was developed by Cavedog Entertainment.

Total Annihilation has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its music but disliked it for its stability.

Total Annihilation is a single player game with multiplayer support.

Similar games include Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance, Supreme Commander, Age of Empires II:, Rise of Nations, Sid Meier's Civilization® III Complete and others.

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