Few gaming experiences can stir the deep nostalgia that comes with revisiting old favorites, and Age of Mythology Retold is a perfect example. While strategy games like Age of Empires have faded in popularity, this classic returns with a fresh look, reminding players why mythology-based strategy games still have a place in today’s gaming landscape. Age of Mythology Retold isn’t just another update; it’s a love letter to the original, offering a new coat of paint and some much-needed modern enhancements.
Modernizing a legendary classic
Released by Microsoft, Age of Mythology Retold updates the legendary 2002 game, which was itself a spin-off of the beloved Age of Empires franchise. While Age of Empires focuses on historical battles rooted in reality, Age of Mythology takes players into the realm of gods, heroes, and mythical creatures from ancient stories. The core gameplay remains the same, allowing players to gather resources, build military bases, and create armies, all while being guided by the mythological deities of ancient civilizations.
The campaign takes players through four mythological periods, featuring the Greeks, Egyptians, Norse, and Atlanteans. Each culture comes with its own set of gods and heroes, allowing players to choose a divine figure to guide their progress. As in the original, players can recruit mythological monsters like sphinxes, fire giants, hydras, and centaurs to aid in battle. Additionally, gods can be called upon to unleash devastating powers—think plagues, locust swarms, and lightning strikes—to crush your enemies.
Enhanced gameplay with divine powers
One of the key improvements in Age of Mythology Retold is the rework of divine powers. In the original, these could only be used once per game, but now players can wield them repeatedly. This change makes gameplay more dynamic, giving players greater strategic freedom. The new version also increases population limits, allowing for larger armies and longer, more challenging missions. These updates enhance the challenge without sacrificing the fun, encouraging players to dive deeper into each mission and fully immerse themselves in the world of gods and legends.
World’s Edge, the developer behind the remaster, has made several other improvements to streamline gameplay, including more accessible civilization functions and helpful tutorials for newcomers. These features make it easier for players unfamiliar with the Age of Empires series to get up to speed and fully appreciate the complexities of each faction.
Mythology meets strategy and economy
While mythology and epic battles are at the heart of the game, Age of Mythology Retold also emphasizes economic strategy. One of the standout new features is the automation of resource gathering, allowing for a smoother and more efficient economic system. Instead of micromanaging each villager, players can now send workers to automatically gather the necessary resources, such as gold, food, or wood. This streamlined system frees up time for players to focus on strategy and combat rather than being bogged down by resource shortages.
All resources are easily trackable via the game’s interface, which displays everything at the top of the screen. The clean, user-friendly menu helps players keep track of their economy and manage their growing cities more effectively. For optimal gameplay, it’s essential to organize your cities thoughtfully—keep residential areas separate from military centers, for example, to avoid confusion during fast-paced battles.
Streamlined, yet deeply immersive
One of the most welcome changes in Age of Mythology Retold is the overall streamlining of gameplay. The optimizations remove some of the frustrations common to real-time strategy games (RTS), like constantly running out of resources. With the improved economic systems and the option to automate many processes, the game becomes more fluid, allowing players to enjoy the spectacle without constantly worrying about micromanagement. This update ensures that the game feels more modern, even though it retains its old-school charm.
The vibrant graphics further enhance the experience. The game’s visual spectacle, from burning buildings to collapsing walls, is breathtaking. The divine powers are especially stunning, competing with the visual effects of high-budget science fiction games. Picture Egyptian crocodiles firing lasers or giants hurling soldiers into the air—these are just a few of the exciting visuals that will keep players entertained for hours.
A nostalgic yet modern experience
With its mix of old and new, Age of Mythology Retold perfectly balances nostalgia with modern-day gaming standards. The remastered graphics and optimized gameplay make it accessible to new players while still offering a deeply nostalgic experience for fans of the original. In my time with the game, I didn’t encounter any significant bugs, and the campaign, which spans around 25 hours, delivered a smooth and thoroughly enjoyable experience.
For long-time fans of RTS games, Age of Mythology Retold serves as a beautiful reminder of the genre’s golden age. It allows players to revisit the strategic depth of games like Commandos or Starcraft while introducing a new generation to the magic of mythology-based RTS. At €30, the price feels reasonable, especially considering the quality of the remaster. Additionally, the game is available on PC Game Pass, making it even more accessible to a broader audience.
Conclusion
Age of Mythology Retold is a nostalgic trip down memory lane for those who grew up with strategy games, but it also offers enough modern enhancements to appeal to today’s players. With improved mechanics, optimized gameplay, and stunning visuals, this remaster succeeds in preserving the spirit of the original while making it feel relevant in 2024. Whether you’re a veteran of the series or a newcomer looking for a unique strategy experience, Age of Mythology Retold delivers on all fronts.
Fact check:
- Age of Mythology was originally released in 2002 as a spin-off of Age of Empires.
- World’s Edge developed the remaster, focusing on updating graphics and gameplay mechanics.
- The game’s population cap has been increased in the remaster, allowing for larger armies.
- Divine powers can now be used multiple times in the remastered version, unlike in the original.
- The game is available on PC Game Pass and costs around €30.
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