REVIEW – Age of Mythology was one of the defining RTS experiences of a generation, so it’s no exaggeration to say that anyone who decides to remake the Ensemble Studios classic is cutting a big tree. Let’s see if this “Retold” version, produced in a wide range of co-productions, can live up to its great predecessor.

Do you still remember the days when real-time strategy games – commonly known as RTSs – were the dominant players in the PC games market? Back when Command & Conquer and Warcraft were living, thriving franchises, and anything that started with “Age of…” was a guarantee of success. Age of Mythology came to this environment from the creators of Age of Empires, as a spin-off game of the latter series in 2002. Although it was a risky move to transfer a series with such strong historical embeddedness into the world of fantasy, Age of Mythology proved to be a huge success. It sold nearly 900,000 copies in a few years and is still a reference point among lovers of the genre.

Age of Mythology: Retold is aimed exactly at them, as well as lovers of old-time strategy games while dressing the classic experience in a modern guise. The game was realized in the framework of a very broad developer collaboration. It was co-created by the development teams World’s Edge, Forgotten Empires, Tantalus Media, CaptureAge and Virtuos Games and published by Xbox Game Studios. Let’s see what they managed to put on the table, what new things those who give Retold a chance can expect!

A divine sight

Let’s start with the exterior. One of the most noticeable changes is the visual renewal of the game. Graphic updates have made Age of Mythology: Retold not only prettier, but also more detailed. At the same time, the creators managed to preserve the atmosphere of the original game. The elaboration of the characters and, the environment and the landscapes is impressive, especially compared to the original. The improvement can also be felt in terms of movement, although in some cases the animations of the characters remained a bit stiff. The new UI (user interface) is also much more transparent and user-friendly, which makes it easier for players to navigate and control.

The layout of units, resources and building options is clean and logical. Hero units shine with a distinctive aura, and the detail of the environment is striking. During the development, a heated discussion accompanied the creation of the character portraits. There have been concerns about them: some have speculated that the developers created them with the help of artificial intelligence. The creators vehemently denied this accusation, stating that human artists drew the portraits. With that said, the biggest problem is perhaps not who drew them, but the fact that they seem to lack charm…

In Wonderland

Age of Mythology: Retold has retained the core mechanics of the original game while refining them to meet modern expectations. Players can still choose from different mythological peoples and factions, such as Greeks, Egyptians, Norse, and, of course, Atlanteans. (However, the Chinese introduced in the 2014 remaster are missing.) Each has its own unique units and abilities, mythological creatures and heroes. Collecting resources and building an army is still central to the game. At the same time, thanks to the innovations, the gameplay has become smoother and more balanced.

Micromanagement is still important for arranging unit types and sending them into battle in the right order. However, with the help of “Attack Move,” the deployment of our fighters and the flow of the battle have become easier. The dieu, suicide attacks against the enemy’s buildings, while the enemy’s fighters are massacring our unsuspecting soldiers! In combat, it is important to find the right ratio between human and mythical units and to know when to send the brutally tough heroes into battle with them. The enemy AI also plays a bit better, so it can be clearly stated that progress has been made in this area.

Is there nothing new under the sun?!

Speaking of its development, the new edition brings many innovations. One of the most important is the introduction of new mythological units and heroes that make the battles even more varied. In addition, the developers paid special attention to the multiplayer mode, which is now even more stable and enjoyable. And new campaigns and missions will keep players engaged for hours while offering new stories and challenges.

God Powers are no longer one-time, game-deciding cataclysms, but have a cooldown and can be used multiple times. It is difficult to say how much of a change this means, say, in terms of strategy. Instead of one-shots, we now have to play with precision timing in Retold. Powers mostly cover AoE damage abilities, with some fun twists like Aphrodite’s Curse, which turns enemy units into pigs and resource buffs.

However, these powers aren’t just about raining down death with satisfying AoE damage. Take Wonders for example. While miracles used to also act as a one-time win tool (if we could protect them long enough…), now they provide passive buffs for the rest of the game. This is a less stressful path to victory, but not necessarily an easier one, as we still have to carefully consider how to spend those resources.

Not a siren song

The game’s soundtrack and sound effects have also undergone significant updates. The new music fits perfectly with the game’s mythological theme and helps enhance the atmosphere. However, the voiceovers received a mixed reception. The voices of some characters are well done, however, for others, the dubbing seems a bit forced. Let’s quickly add that bad dubbing and acting, especially during transition animations, has a tradition dating back to the ’90s. Anyone who played the old Command & Conquer and Red Alert games knows what I’m talking about…

Extended? Come on, Retold!

Age of Mythology: Retold is a great example of how to modernize a classic game without losing its original charm. It is a significantly higher-quality reissue than the Extended Edition ten years ago. Graphical and gameplay innovations, as well as new content, all help to keep AoM fresh and exciting for old and new players alike. While it has some minor flaws and shortcomings, overall, Age of Mythology: Retold is an excellent remake that lives up to the original game’s reputation.

-ROD-

Publisher: Xbox Game Studios

Developer: Forgotten Empires, World’s Edge

Style: RTS

Release date: 4 September 2024