Starcraft Versus Total Annihilation

Blizzard's Starcraft and (the now defunct) Cavedog's Total Annihilation are two of the best PC strategy games of all time. Few other games in the real time strategy genre have captured the interest of so many players, across the world. However, they are inevitably compared, either favorably or unfavorably, as both have many hardcore fans; eager to prove which game is 'better.'

Let's get one thing straight: these are both RTS games for the PC, released around the same time, and they are both set in a sci-fi world. However, they are so very different in game play that it is often difficult to compare them to show which is better. So, keeping this in mind, we'll run through the pros and cons, and similarities, and differences, of each one.

Starcraft and Total Annihilation are both set in a futuristic sci-fi environment. Total Annihilation features two rather inhuman, robotic armies, Core and Arm, battling it out across galaxy. In Starcraft, three races, (humans, Zergs, and Protoss), fight it out in several planets colonized by Human settlers in the far future. Both games feature a 2d style view, although Total Annihilation is set in a 3D engine, yet the game view cannot be rotated. Visually, Starcraft is much more pleasing on the eye, but both games have certain style that is quite well done once you get to it. Both games have an offline campaign, and an online game play, although Blizzards amazing Battle.net service is far better than anything for Total Annihilation.

It's much easier to buy Starcraft now that it is to buy Total Annihilation, as the company that used to make Total Annihilation collapsed with the release of a Total Annihilation style fantasy game, Total Annihilation: Kingdoms. Both can be found online through eBay and Amazon.

Aesthetics, and other minor issues aside, the real point of difference in these two strategy games is seen in the game play. Starcraft features smaller scale battles, with a lot of specialized micromanagement required for a successful battle. Resources areas are hotly contested, and provide the key to victory. A quick jaunt through the video website, YouTube, and a search for 'Starcraft micro' will reveal an amazing amount of fast paced, micromanagement game play.

Total Annihilation is instead focused on much more large scale battles, with many more units used in a typical battle than in Starcraft. While there still is some micromanagement, the emphasis is placed here on macro management. You'll also notice that in Starcraft you only use specific 'builder' style units to construct your buildings, while in Total Annihilation you start out with an important 'Commander' unit that constructs everything you need, including more builder units. You lose you commander, and you lose the game as well. Starcraft has no such commander style units.

The typical Starcraft game is generally over in far less time than the typical Total Annihilation game, and this has probably contributed to Starcraft's greater popularity. It is to be noted that Starcraft does not have a sequel, and only has an expansion pack out, while Total Annihilation has Supreme Commander as 'spiritual' successor (not in name, but in game play and creator).

Overall, Starcraft is more popular than the micromanagement intensive Total Annihilation, and I would have to agree with the trend, as I am more partial to a good game of Starcraft. However, both games are very well made, and represent an important milestone in the PC Real Time Strategy genre, and some would argue that there still hasn't been a new game that is better than either of these games. Perhaps Blizzard will stop concentrating on World of Warcraft so much, and will come back make a sequel to the popular Starcraft game, which would certainly delight many RTS gamers. Only time will tell.