Since I was a kid, I’ve loved real-time strategy games, with the 2002 release of Age of Mythology being one of my all-time favourites. So when I heard Microsoft was giving the classic RTS a new release, I was beyond excited. Now, over two decades since it first hit shelves, Age of Mythology: Retold is offering much more than a simple facelift or remaster; it’s a full-fledged reimagining that breathes new life into the classic, blending nostalgia with innovation to excite both new and old gamers alike.
As someone who loved the original, this is everything I could have hoped for. Even with my critical hat on, I’m amazed at how well the series holds up today and how much Age of Mythology: Retold adds to the game.
Booting up Age of Mythology: Retold, I was struck by how well the title keeps up with the intended look of the game by offering visuals that stack up to today’s standards. The developers have gone above and beyond in recreating every detail of the original game, bringing the mythical world to life with breathtaking clarity. The terrain, in particular, is a standout feature, reminiscent of the impressive uplift seen in Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition. This makes sense, given that both games run on the same engine and share a similar 3D heritage.
Character models have received a significant upgrade as well. Comparing the 2002 versions to their Age of Mythology: Retold counterparts is like night and day. The level of detail in each unit, from the lowliest villager to the mightiest mythical creature, is simply astounding. Centaurs gallop with newfound grace, while the fearsome Cyclops towers over the battlefield with an imposing presence. The artists have poured their hearts into making each mythological being come alive on screen. This is how I remember the game, but once I looked at screenshots comparing the two releases, I was amazed at how much was done for Retold.
“Booting up Age of Mythology: Retold, I was struck by how well the title keeps up with the intended look of the game by offering visuals that stack up to today’s standards.”
Xbox Game Studios and World’s Edge have put a fair amount of effort into the release, and it shows. But while the game looks dramatically better than it once did, the core gameplay loop has remained relatively untouched, with a few quality-of-life improvements that help the overall gameplay shine through. The game still revolves around gathering resources, building up your civilization, and engaging in epic battles with mythical creatures at your command. However, Retold introduces subtle yet impactful changes that enhance the overall experience.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Age of Mythology without the titular Gods and their earthshaking powers. Retold preserves this core aspect of the game while refining it for modern sensibilities. Players can still call upon devastating lightning storms and earth-shattering quakes and even summon the legendary Nidhogg dragon to turn the tide of battle. These God powers feel more impactful than ever, thanks to the improved visual effects that truly convey the awe of divine intervention. However, Age of Mythology: Retold brings more to the table than just what you saw in 2002 with a new coat of paint, changing how the God powers work this time around.
Where God powers used to be a one-time use special action, you can now earn and reuse powers. While these are expensive to bring into the battlefield, they can change the tide of battle and give a unique ability you can work towards, unleashing when you need it most. These changes, while seemingly small, add up to create a more dynamic and engaging gameplay experience. Also, with Retold, we now have a new Wonder Age, where you can build a wonder, making God powers cheaper and making for some truly fun mayhem on the battlefield.
Let’s not forget the changes to how villagers are managed in Age of Mythology: Retold. In the original, you had to micromanage every aspect of your villagers’ tasks, ensuring they did exactly what you needed at any given time. Now, there’s more automation, allowing you to prioritize how villagers build and collect resources, freeing up time for the player to experiment with different units or strategies.
Managing a massive civilization, especially when pushing your units to the max, can be overwhelming, and these quality-of-life changes turn a potentially tedious task into a more enjoyable experience. Fortunately, you can use this feature as little or as much as you like, so purists need not worry about it detracting from the classic gameplay if you prefer to handle everything manually.
The mythical units, always a highlight of the series, have received the same level of attention as the rest of the game. From the majestic Pegasus to the terrifying Kraken and even the fearsome Hydra, each mythological creature has been meticulously recreated with stunning detail. The diversity of units, inspired by various world mythologies, adds a layer of depth and excitement to the gameplay that few other strategy games can match.
Age of Mythology: Retold offers improved visuals and refined gameplay, along with an epic single-player campaign that spans 50 missions. This sprawling adventure takes players across a vast, mythical world, from the legendary walls of Troy to the frozen wastes of Midgard and the shifting sands of Egypt. The campaign perfectly balances storytelling and gameplay, weaving a tale worthy of the myths it’s based on while providing varied and challenging missions. These missions also serve as a tutorial, teaching the many aspects of Age of Mythology: Retold‘s gameplay and how the different factions and mechanics work together, allowing you to discover what you enjoy most.
“Age of Mythology: Retold offers improved visuals and refined gameplay, along with an epic single-player campaign that spans 50 missions.”
As always, the single-player missions offer more than just a fun journey through ancient worlds; they are designed to test your skills and push you to improve at the core gameplay loop. The game encourages players to revisit missions, discover new ways to complete objectives and aim for higher scores. This isn’t just about speed; the developers have crafted multiple paths to victory in each scenario, rewarding creativity and strategic thinking. Whether you choose to split your forces to tackle multiple objectives simultaneously or focus on a single, decisive push, there’s always room for improvement and experimentation.
Where Age of Mythology: Retold truly shines is in its multiplayer mode, and it’s great to see the devs dedicating the time to make this aspect refined enough to be worthy of players’ attention. The game supports both head-to-head matches and cooperative play against AI opponents, offering endless hours of strategic warfare. The randomly generated maps ensure that each game is unique, keeping the experience fresh even after hundreds of matches.
Despite its many strengths, Age of Mythology: Retold isn’t without its minor imperfections. As much as I appreciate what it offers as an RTS enthusiast, this is still very much a strategy game, and even with the new automation, it can get overwhelming. There’s a lot to manage, and this is not a game for the faint of heart, especially in online play. There are countless units to master, numerous buildings to manage, and each faction has its own nuances, which can be challenging to grasp—especially for players unfamiliar with this type of game.
Additionally, some players might find the new UI and control scheme design a bit divisive. I appreciate the effort World’s Edge has put into modernizing the gameplay, and they’ve done a fantastic job overall. However, despite these efforts, playing with a controller can still feel cumbersome. The game has a lot to manage, especially considering it originally launched during the peak of RTS games on PC.
It could be that I’m simply accustomed to the mouse and keyboard layout or that the game’s complexity makes it difficult to simplify for a quick controller mapping. Regardless, the experience is more challenging when using a controller. While I don’t think this is a deal breaker—and it mostly just takes some getting used to—it can be challenging at times.
Even with these minor issues, Age of Mythology: Retold is more than just a nostalgia trip; it’s a fantastic reimagining of a beloved classic. The developers have preserved the essence of what made the original great while enhancing every aspect of the game for modern audiences. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a curious newcomer, prepare to lose yourself in a world where gods, monsters, and heroes collide. The age of myth has returned, and it’s more glorious than ever.