Age of Mythology: Retold Review

by Xbox Game Studios 0 text

Gods, monsters, and RTS glory retold—again!

Age of Mythology: Retold brings back one of the most beloved real-time strategy (RTS) titles of the early 2000s, giving it a modern facelift while retaining the charm that has captured the hearts of gamers for over two decades. Developed by World’s Edge and published by Xbox Game Studios, this remake is not just a cosmetic overhaul but a thoughtful reimagining of a game that blends the classic RTS formula with mythological grandeur. The game successfully revives the original's magic with enhanced visuals, refined gameplay mechanics, and the addition of new content that makes it feel fresh while still holding onto its roots.

At its core, Age of Mythology: Retold follows the traditional RTS structure—gather resources, build a base, create an army, and crush your enemies. However, the game distinguishes itself with its unique twist: mythological units and god powers. Players choose from several mythological pantheons—Greek, Egyptian, Norse, and the newly added Atlanteans—and harness the powers of gods like Zeus, Odin, and Ra. Each civilization has unique gods, units, and technologies, allowing for a variety of strategies that make each playthrough distinct.

One of the most impactful changes in Retold is the ability to reuse god powers, adding a new layer of strategy. Where powers were once limited to one-time use in the original, players now accumulate Favor, a unique resource that allows them to unleash godly wrath multiple times throughout a match. This significant change forces players to balance resource management carefully—should you spend Favor on myth units or save up for a devastating god power? The removal of Favor caps and tweaks to unit balances have also smoothed out some of the original game’s rough edges, allowing for larger armies and longer battles.

In addition to gameplay improvements, Age of Mythology: Retold offers substantial visual enhancements. The game’s environments are more detailed, with dynamic lighting, ray tracing, and lush terrain that modernizes the aesthetic without losing the vibrant, almost cartoonish charm that fans associate with the original. Units, especially mythological creatures like Cyclops and Minotaurs, have been given painstaking attention to detail, enhancing the fantasy atmosphere of the game.

Gameplay 9

Age of Mythology: Retold’s gameplay is more than just a nostalgic trip; it feels reinvigorated with smart, deliberate improvements that enhance the strategic depth. The addition of reusable god powers adds a new level of complexity to matches, forcing players to think more dynamically as they juggle building their army, managing resources, and executing divine interventions. The automation of villager tasks is another noteworthy improvement, helping players focus on combat and strategy rather than getting bogged down in micro-management. Additionally, the AI has been improved, providing more challenging and unpredictable opponents.

The new "Wonder Age" adds yet another layer of strategic choice. Building a wonder decreases the cost of god powers, encouraging players to extend matches and create even more massive battles. This aligns with the game's ethos of grand mythological warfare but may overwhelm newcomers to the genre.

Despite the improved AI and new features, the essence of Age of Mythology remains the same: build, conquer, and outsmart your opponent. Fans of the original will be pleased to see that their favorite strategies—whether relying on myth units, god powers, or standard armies—still hold up, though some tweaking may be required thanks to rebalancing.

Graphics 8

Visually, Age of Mythology: Retold strikes a balance between modern and classic. While it doesn’t quite look like a cutting-edge 2024 game, it certainly doesn’t feel out of place among modern RTS titles. Character models and environments have been rebuilt from the ground up, and the inclusion of ray tracing and other graphical enhancements make the mythological world feel more vibrant and alive than ever. Players can zoom in on battles to see the fine details on their units, from the armor of their soldiers to the scales of a Hydra.

That being said, some players may find the visuals dated when compared to other 2024 releases. The game retains an almost cartoonish palette that aligns with its mythological themes, but this artistic choice might not appeal to everyone. Still, for those who appreciate the original’s aesthetic, the modernized visuals are a definite upgrade.

Storyline 7.5

The campaign remains largely unchanged, following the legendary hero Arkantos in a quest that weaves through various mythological landscapes. While the narrative itself isn't groundbreaking, it serves as an engaging backdrop for the RTS gameplay. The story remains faithful to the original, featuring the same mix of mythological intrigue, epic quests, and a bit of campy charm. The voice acting has been re-recorded, offering a more professional polish, though some fans of the original might miss the older, more nostalgic performances.

The campaign’s structure is where it truly shines. Each mission is thoughtfully designed to introduce players to new game mechanics and strategies. From escorting mythological units to battling hordes of enemies with god powers, the campaign offers a variety of mission types that keep the gameplay fresh and exciting.

Multiplayer 8.5

Multiplayer in Age of Mythology: Retold is where the game truly comes to life for competitive players. The changes to Favor and unit rebalancing make for more dynamic matches, and the larger build caps allow for grander, more complex battles. The game's built-in map editor allows for endless replayability, with custom campaigns and scenarios created by the community already available. Online play is smooth, though some issues with pathfinding and unit AI still persist, especially in larger battles.

Multiplayer also introduces new game modes, including the “Mythic Battles,” which allow for quick, intense matches with pre-set conditions. This is a welcome addition for players who want to jump into the action without committing to a full skirmish. However, some long-time fans have expressed frustration with limitations on building placement in PvP matches.

Issues and Community Feedback

Players have reported a few minor bugs, particularly with pathfinding and unit AI, which occasionally causes units to get stuck or behave unpredictably during large battles. Additionally, some players feel that while the rebalancing of myth units and god powers is an improvement, it has disrupted some of the beloved strategies from the original game. The introduction of a controller input option for PC has been met with mixed reactions, with some praising its intuitiveness, while others find it awkward compared to the traditional keyboard and mouse setup.

Conclusion 8.5

Age of Mythology: Retold is more than just a remaster—it’s a thoughtful reimagining that strikes a delicate balance between nostalgia and innovation. The game’s visual and mechanical improvements breathe new life into the classic without alienating long-time fans. While there are a few minor bugs and the game’s visuals may not appeal to everyone, it’s hard to deny the charm and strategic depth that Retold brings to the table. For both RTS veterans and newcomers alike, Age of Mythology: Retold is a must-play for fans of the genre.

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Please note that this review is based on the feedback and sentiments of players on various Reddit threads and does not represent the views of all players.