A Legendary Revival
If you’ve ever dreamed of reliving the golden era of real-time strategy games with a modern twist, Age of Mythology: Retold on is a mythical experience that you simply cannot miss. I was already a huge fan of the ‘Age of Empire’ series by the release of AoM. This revitalized classic brings the epic battles and rich storytelling of the original game to a new generation of gamers with impressive finesse.
From the moment you launch the game, it’s clear that Age of Mythology: Retold is more than just a nostalgia trip, this is THE definitive version of AoM. The graphics have been beautifully updated, with stunning visuals that make the ancient mythological worlds come to life in high-definition splendor. The enhanced textures and detailed environments make every battle and exploration feel immersive and vibrant. I can remember playing these campaigns as a kid and being overwhelmed with how good the graphics were, if I only knew then that I would see this update 20 years later.
MSRP: $29.99
Platforms: PC (reviewed), Xbox
Price I’d Pay: $29.99
AoM’s core mechanics, which made the original so beloved, are all here and as engaging as ever. The strategic depth of building civilizations, gathering resources, and commanding armies remains intact, while the addition of modern quality-of-life improvements ensures a smoother, more refined gameplay experience. Developer World’s Edge even add a new God to the Norse faction, who in the original was all about combat rush. Now players of that civilization are given more tools for defense powers. The updated controls are particularly noteworthy, making the transition to the Xbox controller seamless and intuitive. Even though I was playing on PC, I was able to expertly control my armies using the controller, the team has implemented the same wonderful controls that are also in Age of Empires 4. Whether you’re managing your economy, developing your town, or leading your armies into epic confrontations, everything feels natural and responsive.
One of the features of Age of Mythology: Retold that I am most excited about is the expanded and refined multiplayer experience. The game supports a variety of online modes, with a brand-new mode being added early next year called ‘Arena of the Gods’ while I am extremely excited to dig into battles against humans, I wasn’t able to test this out. Skirmish mode offered lots of map choices and the ability to play against the AI with various options but for those that love pitting their strategies against human opponents; it just doesn’t hit the same. I will be playing some matches once the game goes live for everyone and will update everyone on the ZTGD Podcast with how my multiplayer campaigns fare.
Speaking of campaigns, the storytelling in Age of Mythology: Retold is as captivating as ever. The rich lore of the gods, myths, and legendary heroes has been preserved and enhanced, offering players an engaging narrative filled with intriguing quests and memorable characters. The voice acting and soundtrack are top-notch, contributing to an immersive experience that draws you into the mythological epic.
In addition to the visual and gameplay enhancements, the developers have included several new features and content that enrich the experience. The inclusion of additional scenarios and updated balance tweaks ensures that both veteran players and newcomers will find plenty to enjoy. As a veteran player I can say I loved all the changes. The original game contained constraints on unit population and favor, the currency used to make myth units, due to technological limitations. But now players are free to make their armies as large as they want, and can have whole platoons of myth units, something that wasn’t possible before.
Age of Mythology: Retold is a triumphant revival of a beloved classic. It combines the best elements of the original with modern upgrades and refinements, delivering a fantastic strategic experience that feels both fresh and familiar. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the original or new to the world of mythology, this game offers an epic journey worth embarking on. I think that with this game Age of Mythology finally gets the respect it deserves in the pantheon of great RTS games.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
