While Ensemble Studios’ Age of Empires series may have become a massive sensation within the RTS genre, there is another of its titles that deserves just as much attention. Released back in 2002, Age of Mythology took that tried-and-true formula to a more mystical and legend-filled era for an experience that truly stood out. Now, 20 years later, the studio is bringing it back in the aptly titled Age of Mythology: Retold. And so far, it does not disappoint.
Age of Mythology: Retold has once again brought players back to the era of Greek, Egyptian, Norse, and Atlantean gods for an unforgettable experience. Players will spend their time fighting through mythical lands, beating back powerful foes like cyclops, and battling alongside or against the gods themselves. That blend makes it the perfect treat for fans of mythology, and its gameplay makes it feel like a fantastic blast from RTS’ past. But the best part may be that the adventure is just getting started.
Age of Mythology: Retold is a Blast from the Past
Fans of the original Age of Mythology should know exactly what to expect here, as the studio has tried not to change too much. The original campaigns have been given a facelift, skirmishes are still hours of fun, and so many online battles are waiting to be fought. But instead of just giving fans that, Ensemble also upgraded the visuals, introduced a plethora of quality-of-life changes, and expanded the game’s offerings to make it feel fresh and new for anyone jumping into it.
The only major downside to its graphical updates is that some players may not feel like Ensemble went far enough with them. Age of Mythology‘s character models and visuals are still a bit rough around the edges, looking like HD versions of older models. That may just be the aesthetic the studio was going for, but those who may be looking for something truly jaw-dropping may not find it here.
Age of Mythology: Retold Understands What Makes a Good RTS
However, the real focus of any RTS is the gameplay, and Age of Mythology: Retold‘s gameplay is as thrilling as ever. Just like with most RTS titles, players start with some civilian units, a leader, some military units, and a city center that they must expand into a massive fortress. First, they must gather the required resources; food, wood, and gold. Then, they must use said resources to build fortifications, different barracks, upgrade buildings, and all sorts of different objects to make their base as strong as possible.
Each building serves a purpose, with most of them being vital to victory. And as players build their base, they will be able to progress through Age of Mythology‘s four ages if they have the required materials. With each era comes new buildings, units, and gods that are willing to lend their aid. Every god brings with it exciting powers, myth units, and unique technologies that they can use to devastate their enemies or buff their allies. While not every ability may seem useful at first, they can all prove vital to the flow of combat.
Each of the game’s four factions offers its own set of gods and units to mess around with. Some of the biggest mythological beings are here – like Zeus, Poseidon, Thor, Odin, and Ra – alongside a strong roster of minor gods. Additionally, players can train legendary heroes and beings such as Centaurs or Trolls to wage war for them, making it truly feel like an Age of Mythology.
Age of Mythology: Retold’s Classic RTS Combat and Story Are a Blast
Combat in Age of Mythology: Retold is pretty standard for an RTS. Players build up an army of various unit types; fighters, ranged, siege units, boats, and powerful special units, with each having their benefits and drawbacks. Then, they send them off to battle against their enemies, hopefully destroying their base in the process. Along with the main encampments, there are often smaller ones littering the map waiting to be conquered. It is a pretty standard gameplay loop, which has been livened up a bit thanks to the fun mythological nature of the game.
The mythological units and heroes do give Age of Mythology: Retold‘s combat a unique flair. While it can be fun to send armies of archers at the enemy, nothing compares to sending a massive giant backed up by an army of centaurs with Heracles at the back. And if that was not enough, the second the re-usable god powers are activated, the entire battlefield becomes a sight to behold.
Of course, an RTS like this also needs an exciting story to back it up, and luckily, Age of Mythology: Retold has three massive campaigns that will take players on some wild adventures through myths and legends. They can fight their way through Troy, experience the frozen landscape of Midgard, and explore the turbulent lands of Egypt. All of that gives players so many hours of content to explore, with even more adventures promised in the future.
The Age of Mythology Fun is Just Getting Started
It’s clear that Ensemble wants to expand this game with even more content post-launch. Along with periodic updates, the studio has plans for two brand-new expansions to further build out Age of Mythology: Retold in new ways. The first expansion will reintroduce the Chinese and their pantheon to the game, while the second has yet to be announced. Whatever form it takes, it will surely give this game even more life.
Overall, Age of Mythology: Retold feels like a strong remake of the original. Ensemble seems to understand how to craft an engaging RTS that not only feels great for newcomers but also honors the past. However, its graphical style may be a bit too rough around the edges for some, and it may not be modern enough for others. That being said, it still feels well worth the price of admission for anyone looking to sink their teeth into a brand-new RTS. And with all the content on the horizon, the fun may never have to end.
Age of Mythology: Retold releases September 4, 2024 for PC and Xbox Series X/S. Game Rant was provided a PC code for this review.
