Age of Mythology: Retold Review

Released as a modernized retelling of the iconic 2002 real-time strategy game, Age of Mythology: Retold promises to deliver a nostalgic yet refreshed experience for fans of the genre. Developed by World’s Edge, Forgotten Empires, and Tantalus Media, and published by Xbox Game Studios, the game hit the market on September 4, 2024, with significant updates to its graphics, gameplay mechanics, and overall user experience. This review dives deep into every aspect of the game to assess whether it lives up to the legendary status of its predecessor.

Visuals and Graphics Overhaul

One of the standout features of Age of Mythology: Retold is its visual upgrade. The game’s units, buildings, and landscapes have been meticulously redesigned with high-definition textures. From lush forests to arid deserts, the environments feel alive and immersive. Animations are smoother, giving units and creatures a realistic and dynamic appearance during battles and interactions.

Detailed Improvements in Visuals:

• Environmental Details: Trees sway gently in the wind, and water surfaces reflect sunlight realistically, creating a vibrant world.
• Unit Design: Mythical creatures like the Hydra and the Sphinx now look more imposing, thanks to intricate modeling and animation work.
• Special Effects: Divine powers like the “Meteor Strike” or “Lightning Storm” are rendered with dramatic lighting and particle effects, heightening their impact on the battlefield.

Pros:

• Modernized visuals bring a sense of depth and realism.
• Enhanced lighting effects and particle details, especially during divine powers like earthquakes or thunderstorms.

Cons:

• Occasional frame drops in large-scale battles, particularly on mid-range PCs.
• Some environmental textures appear less polished when zoomed in.

Audio: A Symphonic Revival

The game’s soundtrack has been reimagined with a full symphonic score that enhances the mythological atmosphere. Every faction has a unique musical theme that adapts to gameplay intensity. The sound effects, from the clash of swords to the roar of mythical creatures, are crisp and immersive.

Expanded Audio Features:

• Dynamic Soundtrack: The music adjusts seamlessly to in-game events, such as escalating battles or peaceful base-building moments.
• Voice Acting: Dialogues in the campaign have been re-recorded, and new voice lines have been added to enrich character interactions.
• Ambient Sounds: The environment comes alive with subtle audio cues, like chirping birds or the distant rumble of thunder, adding to immersion.

Pros:

• Stunning orchestral soundtrack tailored to the mythological theme.
• Improved sound design for all actions and events.
• Enhanced ambient sounds that create a rich auditory landscape.

Cons:

• Minor inconsistencies in voice acting quality for certain campaign characters.
• Some players might prefer the nostalgic charm of the original soundtrack.

Gameplay Mechanics: Refined Yet Familiar

At its core, Age of Mythology: Retold remains true to its original mechanics while incorporating modern improvements. Players can choose from four major factions—Greek, Norse, Egyptian, and Atlantean—each with distinct gameplay styles and mythological units. Resource management, base building, and tactical combat are at the heart of the experience, but subtle changes make the gameplay smoother and more engaging.

Key Features:

1. Enhanced AI: Enemy units and allies now exhibit smarter behavior, adapting to your strategies and offering a more challenging experience.
2. New Units and Powers: Each faction gains additional mythological units and god powers, enriching the tactical depth.
3. Quality-of-Life Improvements: A revamped user interface and clearer in-game tutorials help new players ease into the game while offering veterans streamlined controls.
4. Advanced Resource Management: Improvements to gathering mechanics make resource collection less tedious, with better villager pathfinding and automation options.

Detailed Faction Analysis:

• Greeks: Balanced gameplay with strong heroes like Perseus and powerful god powers such as “Underworld Passage.”
• Norse: Emphasis on aggressive strategies and mobile armies, supported by myth units like the Frost Giant.
• Egyptians: Focus on defensive structures and unique priests who can heal units, along with god powers like “Rain” to boost farming.
• Atlanteans: A flexible faction with unique mechanics, including the ability to empower units and buildings with “Promethean” entities.

Pros:

• Faithful recreation of the classic gameplay with meaningful updates.
• Improved pathfinding and unit responsiveness.
• Diverse strategies for each civilization keep gameplay fresh.

Cons:

• Some balance issues persist, with certain factions feeling overpowered in multiplayer.
• The learning curve for advanced tactics might be steep for newcomers.

Campaign: A Mythological Journey

The game’s campaign mode spans 50 missions, each designed to test your strategic thinking and immerse you in various mythological worlds. From the sands of ancient Egypt to the icy expanses of Norse Midgard, every level is a visual and narrative treat.

Story Highlights:

• The campaign’s plot has been slightly expanded, with new cutscenes and dialogues adding depth to the original story.
• Players revisit iconic battles and explore untold stories in mythological settings.
• Newly introduced side quests allow players to explore additional lore and unlock special rewards.

Pros:

• Engaging storytelling with richly detailed missions.
• Introduction of side missions that add replayability.
• Enhanced cutscenes that bring characters and events to life.

Cons:

• Some missions feel repetitive in structure, relying heavily on base defense or resource collection.
• Limited player choice in certain story-driven moments.

Multiplayer: Mythical Clashes Online

For competitive players, the multiplayer mode is where Age of Mythology: Retold truly shines. It offers a variety of game modes, from ranked matches to custom games, catering to casual and hardcore gamers alike.

Key Multiplayer Features:

1. Dedicated Servers: Stable connections and minimal lag ensure a smooth experience.
2. Spectator Mode: A boon for eSports enthusiasts, allowing viewers to follow matches with detailed statistics and live commentary tools.
3. Cross-Platform Play: PC and Xbox players can face off seamlessly.
4. New Multiplayer Maps: Several new maps with diverse terrain and challenges have been added, encouraging strategic innovation.

Pros:

• Wide range of multiplayer options, including co-op campaigns.
• Regular updates and patches to maintain balance and address bugs.
• Vibrant online community with frequent tournaments and events.

Cons:

• A steep learning curve for newcomers in competitive play.
• Occasional matchmaking delays during peak hours.

Mythological Depth: Gods, Powers, and Units

The mythological aspect of the game is its defining feature. Each civilization has a unique pantheon, granting access to divine powers and mythical units. Whether you’re unleashing Zeus’ lightning bolts or summoning the Kraken, these elements add strategic variety.

Expanded Mythological Content:

• New God Powers: Each faction has gained at least one new god power, such as “Solar Flare” for the Egyptians, which temporarily blinds enemy units.
• Mythical Unit Updates: Units like the Cyclops and Chimera have received both visual and gameplay enhancements to make them more dynamic in battles.
• Chinese Pantheon Expansion: The “Immortal Pillars” DLC introduces the Chinese civilization, complete with unique gods, units, and mythological creatures like the Dragon Turtle.

Pros:

• Diverse mythological options ensure no two games feel the same.
• Balanced integration of mythology into standard RTS mechanics.
• The addition of the Chinese pantheon adds new depth and replayability.

Cons:

• Mythical units can sometimes overshadow standard units, reducing strategic diversity.
• Balancing the new content with existing factions remains a work in progress.

Technical Performance and Optimization

The technical performance of Age of Mythology: Retold is a mixed bag, offering notable improvements over the original while still leaving room for further refinement. On modern systems, the game generally runs smoothly, with fast load times and stable performance during most gameplay scenarios. However, there are occasional hiccups, particularly during large-scale battles or on older hardware.

Enhanced Performance Features:

• Optimized Load Times: Loading screens are significantly shorter compared to the original, ensuring a quicker transition between matches and missions.
• Stable Frame Rates: The game maintains consistent performance on high-end PCs and Xbox Series X/S, even during graphically intense moments.
• Frequent Updates: Developers actively release patches to address bugs and optimize the game further.

Challenges in Optimization:

• Performance Drops: Large battles with multiple effects can cause noticeable frame rate dips, particularly on mid-tier or older systems.
• Minor Bugs: Occasionally, units may become stuck in terrain or display erratic movement behavior.
• Compatibility Issues: Ultra-wide monitors and some legacy hardware configurations may encounter display scaling problems or graphical glitches.

Pros:

• Quick load times enhance overall gameplay flow.
• Runs smoothly on modern hardware with few crashes.
• Developers are proactive in resolving issues and releasing updates.

Cons:

• Performance inconsistencies during intense battles.
• Some bugs and glitches persist, affecting immersion.
• Optimization for older systems could be improved further.

Final Verdict

Pros:

• Stunning graphics and immersive audio design.
• Faithful adaptation of classic gameplay with modern improvements.
• Rich campaign and engaging multiplayer options.
• Depth of mythological content enhances strategic variety.
• Frequent updates and active community support.

Cons:

• Some balance issues in multiplayer.
• Minor performance inconsistencies in large-scale battles.
• Occasional repetitive mission design in the campaign.

Age of Mythology: Retold successfully modernizes a beloved classic, appealing to both long-time fans and new players. While it’s not without flaws, its improvements in graphics, gameplay, and multiplayer ensure its place as a standout in the RTS genre. Whether you’re summoning gods or commanding armies, this game delivers a mythological adventure worth experiencing.