Unlike the original Total Annihilation which had most of the units on its two factions virtually the same, other than in appearance, Total Annihilation: Kingdoms had very distinct characteristics between factions.While the original Total Annihilation had players playing through the Core or Arm campaigns separately, Total Annihilation: Kingdoms switched between the four groups, players playing each side, as the levels progressed.Four sides at the start, oppose to the original's two, with an expansion pack that added in a fifth.Simplified resource-management, with just one resource(mana) instead of two(metal, energy).A change from a futuristic setting to a fantasy setting.A more in-depth storyline, told with cutscenes between missions just as Total Annihilation had, but with more detail.There were numerous thematic and design differences between Total Annihilation and Total Annihilation: Kingdoms. Although the game was neither a prequel nor a sequel to the original Total Annihilation game, comparisons between the two games were inevitable. Total Annihilation: Kingdoms was the anticipated second installment of the Total Annihilation franchise. 6 Other differences between the factions.
