Total Annihilation: Kingdoms

 PC
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
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  1. All Game Guide
    90
    Far from being a fatal flaw, however, this lack of definition is sporadically encountered and can be viewed as a minor annoyance and is, in fact, somewhat offset by impressive designs of larger non-human units, such as ships or flying machines.
  2. Gamezilla!
    84
    The only problem I had with the game was the lack of the ability to easily reclaim your own buildings and units. Total Annihilation had the option, but it's missing in Kingdoms.
  3. PC Gamer
    82
    A rare example of an RTS game that's a much more satisfying single-player experience than a multiplayer one. I doubt we'll see anything like the huge groundswell of online fandom and support that its predecessor earned, but solo strategists will still have a whale of a time.
  5. Adrenaline Vault
    80
    Where TA offers a slew of different unit types for some traditional, hardcore warfare, TA:K goes the fantasy route with fewer units and buildings and a better story. TA:K is much more like "Starcraft" in its approach to strategical combat, the balance of different units types and gameplay that features varied experiences through the different sides.
  6. FiringSquad
    80
    Though Kingdoms addresses all of the original criticisms of Total Annihilation, it continues to suffer from extremely high system requirements.
  7. Yahoo!
    80
    I have no doubts about TA:K's entertainment value. Yes, it is a reincarnation of a two-year old game system (with radically different gameplay, I must emphasize) with various problems, and the innovation may no longer be there, but the fun certainly is.
  8. GameZone
    80
    A solid entry in the field, neither disappointing nor surprising me. I had fun with it, but it certainly won’t eat into my Tribes time. In the end, if you’re tired of Warcraft or the latest C&C expansion has lost its flavor, this is a pleasant alternative.
  9. Gamer's Pulse
    80
    With a great background story and good graphics this is definitely one of the more fun games I have played in recent times.
  10. Computer Games Magazine
    80
    Kingdoms doesn't blow open the walls of the RTS genre, it just bends them outwards a bit.
  11. Hot Games
    80
    All right, so the gameplay isn't that far removed from the standard RTS fare but Kingdoms is fresh enough thanks to the unique setting that it gets away with it.
  12. PC Gameworld
    79
    If the fact that RTS gaming isn’t that big this year and you’re jonesing for a fix, Kingdoms will do. Just don’t expect to be bowled over by it.
  13. Game Over Online
    76
    Personally I preferred Total Annihilation for its big guns and tanks and the larger range of strategic options, but this is an excellent effort by Cavedog to create a medieval version of Total Annihilation. A good solid strategy game which should provide weeks of multiplayer enjoyment, although I am disappointed in Cavedog for botching up their whole Direct 3D Mode.
  14. Electric Playground
    70
    A really good example of real time strategy. Maybe the best, but it didn’t do anything to revive my interest in a tired genre.
  15. IGN
    69
    The real problem is that hand-to-hand units, when told to move to a particular location, will not attack anything until they get to that location. This means that if you tell a group to move to certain area, you must watch them every step of the way.
  16. Gaming Age
    67
    A potentially brilliant RTS title sadly damaged by a lack of polish, TA: Kingdoms is still a hugely entertaining experience if you have the hardware (and the patience) for it.
  17. GameSpot
    66
    Cavedog's second game suffers from a long list of problems that collectively prevent it either from exceeding its ancestor or from rejuvenating a tired genre.
  18. GamePro
    60
    Kingdoms manages to present a lot of pretty scenery, rousing sound effects, and dynamite music, but it omits a foundation in adequate controls and unit AI. And without that, all the good looks in the world fall flat.
  19. Game Revolution
    58
    In the end, Kingdoms doesn't do much that we haven't already seen in the original TA. The strategy, the engine, and everything else is pretty much the same as it was a couple of years ago. While it's not bad on a really fast machine, it's still a standard real-time strategy game that just didn't make me want to spend $1000 upgrading my computer to make it run smoothly.

Awards & Rankings

14
#14 Best PC Game of 1999
13
#13 Most Discussed PC Game of 1999
13
#13 Most Shared PC Game of 1999

User Reviews

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User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 38 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 38
  3. Negative: 1 out of 38
  1. Beaver
    Sep 19, 2006
    9
    This game can be played over again and again. It is great for a lan party with a half a dozen friends. You have to use your mind to This game can be played over again and again. It is great for a lan party with a half a dozen friends. You have to use your mind to accomplish victory... for some people that might be too much. This game is magnificent in its game play i encouraged people to search out this game to have some good fun with useing their mind.… Full Review »
  2. RosstheBoss0
    Sep 13, 2020
    9
    TA: Kingdoms is one of the most memorable RTS games I've played, the faction roster, the campaign and the music all combine to make a gameTA: Kingdoms is one of the most memorable RTS games I've played, the faction roster, the campaign and the music all combine to make a game which really stands out. The replayability is strong with a lot multiplayer maps, a skirmish mode and good story which blends fantasy with genuine human storytelling. The soundtrack is unique and features the work of the same composer behind the Elder Scrolls games and Dungeon Siege.… Full Review »
  3. Vamrem
    Sep 19, 2018
    9
    Still playing this particular RTS from time to time since the 2000’s, with its remarkable physics system (unique for its time, and stillStill playing this particular RTS from time to time since the 2000’s, with its remarkable physics system (unique for its time, and still innovative today!), particularly enjoying its soft RPG feature which makes units gain ranks, keeping me carrying small squads to gain levels until all my army gets gold. Its worst downside are the unbalanced dragon, and especially the avatar (which is insane), but you can banish units types in the map editor (making an extra challenge to leave the opposite faction with their dragon for example!), you decide.… Full Review »
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