The Iron Plague

The Iron Plague is an expansion pack for the real-time strategy game Total Annihilation: Kingdoms, developed and published by Cavedog Entertainment. Released in 2000, it adds a fifth playable faction, the Creon, to the fantasy world of Darien. Unlike the other four races, Aramon, Taros, Veruna, and Zhon, who rely on magic and mythical creatures, the Creon are militant technologists who reject magic entirely. Their arsenal includes tanks, bipedal war machines, and mechanical aircraft, bringing a stark, industrial contrast to the swords-and-sorcery setting. The expansion features a new story-driven campaign told from multiple perspectives, with cinematic cutscenes continuing the narrative of the base game. Missions range from massive assaults and defensive sieges to stealthy solo infiltrations, and they are noted for their high difficulty and demand for adaptive tactics. The Iron Plague also expands multiplayer with additional maps and the ability to play as the Creon in skirmish and online matches via Cavedog's Boneyards service. The game requires the original Total Annihilation: Kingdoms to play and installs from a single CD. While the manual is a minimal jewel-case insert, the game itself offers deep strategic gameplay and a compelling storyline.