24
Age of Mythology: Retold – The Gods Return in Glory
A masterful remake of the 2002 classic that revitalizes the god-powered RTS gameplay for a modern audience. Rated 8.5/10.
Game Info
Verdict
A triumphant return for a strategy classic, blending nostalgia with meaningful modernizations that make it one of the best RTS games available today.
Pros
- Reusable God Powers add strategic depth
- Stunning visual overhaul of units and environments
- 'Villager Priority' system automates economy
- Extensive campaign with great variety
- Cross-play connects a large player base
Cons
- Pathfinding can still get clunky in chokepoints
- Some voice acting changes are divisive
- Naval combat remains a bit chaotic
- Lobby browser UI could be more intuitive
Performance Notes
Excellent optimization on PC allowing for high frame rates even on older hardware. Xbox Series X targets a locked 60fps in Performance mode. The game engine handles high unit counts significantly better than the original.
Age of Mythology: Retold is a stunning resurrection of Ensemble Studios’ cult classic, rebuilt from the ground up by World’s Edge. Unlike traditional historical RTS games, this title lets players command Minotaurs, Cyclopes, and devastating God Powers like lightning storms and meteors. It successfully modernizes the 20-year-old formula with updated graphics, quality-of-life improvements, and a reimagined economy, making it an essential play for both nostalgia-seekers and new strategy fans.
How to Play Age of Mythology: Retold
The core loop involves gathering resources (food, wood, gold, favor), building an army of human and myth units, and destroying the enemy base.
- Controls – Standard RTS mouse/keyboard layout; Xbox version features an intuitive radial menu for controller play.
- Progression – Advance through four distinct Ages (Archaic to Mythic) to unlock powerful god powers and units.
- Combat/Mechanics – Use the Rock-Paper-Scissors counter system: Heroes kill Myth Units, Myth Units kill Human Soldiers, Soldiers kill Heroes.
- Tips – Generate ‘Favor’ early; different cultures generate it differently (e.g., Greeks pray, Norse fight).
Who Should Play Age of Mythology: Retold
Perfect for players who want a spectacle-filled strategy game where historical accuracy takes a backseat to fun.
- Player 1 – Fans of the original 2002 game who want to relive the campaign with modern visuals.
- Player 2 – Age of Empires IV players looking for more variety in unit types and magic abilities.
- Player 3 – Mythology buffs who want to command Zeus, Thor, or Ra in battle.
- Skip if – You prefer slow-paced, turn-based grand strategy games like Civilization.
Age of Mythology: Retold Platform Performance
The game shines on PC but features an impressive console port that maintains high frame rates even in chaotic battles.
| Platform | Resolution | FPS | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC (High) | 4K | Uncapped | Support for ultrawide monitors and DLSS. |
| Xbox Series X | 4K | 60 | Includes ‘Quality’ and ‘Performance’ toggle. |
| Xbox Series S | 1440p | 60 | Minor texture pop-in during large god power casts. |
| PS5 | 4K | 60 | Released March 2025; solid port with cross-play. |
Age of Mythology: Retold System Requirements
Requirements are modest for a 2024 release, making it accessible to a wide range of PC configurations.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 11 64-bit |
| CPU | i3-4130 / AMD FX 4350 | i5-3.6Ghz / Ryzen 5 2600 |
| GPU | GTX 645 / Radeon Vega 8 | GTX 970 / Radeon RX 570 |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Storage | 25 GB | SSD Recommended |
Similar Games to Age of Mythology: Retold
If you enjoy summoning gods and managing empires, these titles offer comparable strategic depth.
- Age of Empires IV – The sibling series; more grounded in history but shares the same engine and polish.
- Warcraft III: Reforged – A fantasy RTS with a heavy focus on hero units and RPG elements.
- Northgard – A slower, survival-focused RTS based on Norse mythology and clan management.
- Total War: Warhammer III – Massive scale battles with fantasy units, though it lacks base building.
Age of Mythology: Retold vs Competitors
Retold offers a unique value proposition with its ‘God Power’ mechanics that few modern competitors can match.
| Feature | Age of Mythology: Retold | Age of Empires IV | Stormgate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $29.99 | $39.99 | Free-to-Play |
| Playtime | 40+ Hours | 50+ Hours | Ongoing |
| Multiplayer | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Metacritic | 83 | 81 | 70 (Early Access) |
Age of Mythology: Retold Story & World
The campaign follows Arkantos, an Atlantean admiral, on an epic journey that spans Greek, Egyptian, and Norse mythologies. Unlike typical RTS campaigns that feel like tutorials, Age of Mythology: Retold delivers a cinematic odyssey involving the Trojan War, the underworld, and Ragnarok. The ‘Retold’ version updates the voice acting and script, fleshing out the world with more banter and lore-accurate details while preserving the charm of the original adventure.
Age of Mythology: Retold Multiplayer & Online
The multiplayer suite is robust, featuring ranked ladders, casual lobbies, and a custom game browser.
- Ranked 1v1 – 4v4 – Competitive matchmaking with Elo-based ranking.
- Co-op vs AI – Team up with friends to fight varying difficulties of AI bots.
- Arena of the Gods – A new mode featuring unique challenges and modifiers.
- Cross-Play – Full support between PC, Xbox, and PlayStation users.
Age of Mythology: Retold DLC & Expansions
World’s Edge has committed to post-launch support, including new pantheons and campaign expansions.
- Immortal Pillars – Upcoming Chinese pantheon expansion (released March 2025).
- Legacy Deity Portraits – DLC allowing players to use the classic 2002 god artwork.
- Premium Edition – Includes 7-day early access and two future expansion packs.
- Free Updates – Regular balance patches and new map rotations.
Age of Mythology: Retold Community & Support
The game enjoys a vibrant revival community, heavily supported by Microsoft’s ongoing investment in the Age franchise.
- Official Forums – Active hub for balance discussions and bug reporting.
- Discord – The ‘Age of Empires’ Discord has dedicated mythology channels.
- Mod Support – Full mod support via the in-game editor; custom maps are plentiful.
- Updates – Monthly patches addressing balance and pathfinding issues.