Age of Mythology: Retold
- September 4, 2024
- Virtuos Games
- 14h median play time
Get on Steam"Age of Mythology: Retold" is a real-time strategy game that takes players to a mythical age of gods, monsters, and humans. Choose your gods from pantheons such as Greek, Norse, Egyptian, and Atlantean, and harness their powers to summon lightning storms, quakes, and even mythical creatures to aid you in battle. Unleash an army of centaurs, trolls, mummies, and more to defeat your enemies and expand your domain. This game is a stunning update to the beloved Age of Mythology, offering modern visuals and innovative gameplay design. Will you become a mythic leader?
Reviews
- The game is a faithful remake of the original, capturing the nostalgia while enhancing graphics and gameplay.
- New features like reusable god powers and improved AI make the game feel fresh and engaging.
- The campaign is well-designed with a captivating story, providing hours of enjoyable gameplay.
- Multiplayer is plagued with desync issues, making it nearly unplayable for many players.
- Some voice acting is considered subpar compared to the original, detracting from the overall experience.
- Pathfinding and unit behavior can be inconsistent, leading to frustrating gameplay moments.
- graphics829 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics in "Age of Mythology: Retold" have received a mixed reception, with many praising the significant visual upgrades that enhance the nostalgic feel of the original game. While some players appreciate the modernized aesthetics and improved animations, others feel that the graphics do not meet contemporary standards, describing them as merely decent or even cartoonish. Overall, the remaster successfully retains the charm of the original while offering a visually appealing experience, though some players express disappointment over the lack of substantial new content beyond the graphical enhancements.
“The updated graphics breathe new life into the mythological world, making every battle and landscape more vibrant and detailed.”
“The graphics are stunning, bringing the mythical world to life like never before.”
“The graphics revamp is nice but it is just a remake that doesn't hold much.”
“The graphics are somewhat better but nothing outstanding, which is disappointing to be honest.”
“I'm really disappointed they basically copy/pasted the original game with new graphics and less content.”
“Retold insinuates differences in the games, I just didn't expect the only difference to be less content with subpar graphics for 2024.”
- gameplay486 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Age of Mythology: Retold" has been largely praised for its blend of nostalgia and modern enhancements, retaining the core mechanics that fans loved while introducing significant improvements such as reusable god powers and better unit balance. Players appreciate the updated graphics and quality-of-life features that streamline gameplay, although some have noted minor bugs and balance issues. Overall, the remaster successfully revitalizes the classic RTS experience, making it accessible and engaging for both new players and veterans alike.
“The gameplay retains everything that made the original game great, while also adding some quality of life features that improve Age of Mythology in a lot of ways.”
“The gameplay is smooth, the visuals are sharp, and the new mechanics add depth without losing the classic feel.”
“This remake of a 22-year-old classic not only honors the original but elevates it to new heights with stunning updated graphics and modern gameplay enhancements.”
“The gameplay is slow, it's hard to read the mini map, unit selection is tedious, and the graphics are poor.”
“There are a lot of mechanical issues that I don't think should exist in a game of this pedigree.”
“Gameplay-wise, not much has changed, which I consider a good thing.”
- story279 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story in "Age of Mythology: Retold" is a nostalgic retelling of the original campaign, featuring a mix of Greek, Egyptian, and Norse mythologies with engaging narratives and memorable characters. While many players appreciate the updated graphics and mission design, some criticize the voice acting and occasional mission balance issues, leading to a mixed reception regarding the overall storytelling experience. Despite these flaws, the campaign is generally seen as enjoyable and offers a substantial amount of content, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre.
“The campaign is engaging and well-paced, with memorable characters and storylines that draw you in.”
“The main story campaign is a globe-trotting epic that effectively retells common myths of Greek, Egyptian, and Norse mythologies while tying it all together neatly into an odyssey-esque grand adventure narrative.”
“Great story, great characters, great mission variety, it's got it all.”
“The campaign is way overlong, with way too many missions, and in the end, the story is unbelievably shallow compared to Age of Empires 3 or Warcraft 3.”
“It's a toilet paper-thin story chaining together boring, repetitive macro missions where you spend 15+ minutes building up a base, again and again, before steamrolling the enemy.”
“I was expecting something new in the story mode, not a frame-for-frame remake.”
- music152 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the remastered soundtrack for its orchestral arrangements and nostalgic feel, while others express disappointment over the replacement of the original tracks. Some players appreciate the enhancements and modernizations, noting that the new compositions complement the gameplay well, but a significant number long for the option to switch back to the beloved original music. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a highlight, though opinions vary on its ability to capture the essence of the classic game.
“The enhanced soundtrack, with its sweeping orchestral scores and atmospheric sound effects, perfectly complements the on-screen action.”
“The remastered soundtrack is another highlight, blending nostalgic themes with fresh compositions that complement the game's atmosphere perfectly.”
“The soundtrack is as epic as ever, masterfully remastered to evoke the grandeur of the ancient world.”
“The music and narration is jarringly bad, a definite step down from the original.”
“For the game that has my favorite soundtrack of all time, which is hailed as one of the best video game soundtracks of all time, the strictly electronic cover of the organic, natural music of Age of Mythology, with no option to switch to the original soundtrack, is the biggest sin of all.”
“Some tracks are straight up off key and jarring to listen to, at least as someone who remembers the original OST so fondly.”
- stability84 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 89 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, crashes, and connectivity issues, particularly in multiplayer modes. While some players note that certain glitches have been addressed, many still experience significant problems, including game freezes, de-syncs, and unresponsive features, making the overall experience frustrating and often unplayable. Despite its potential and nostalgic appeal, the game is currently marred by instability that detracts from its enjoyment.
“The game looks amazing and runs great.”
“It's the price of a half-off modern 2024 game, and it should be since AOM is an older game, but the new modern remastered features and the fact it isn't buggy make it especially worth it.”
“Runs great, feels faithful to the original while changing enough to feel fresh and new, and overall feels like a love letter to AOM.”
“Unfortunately, it is unbearably buggy.”
“Currently a pile of garbage and literally unplayable as it won't start up (yes, I've googled and tried all troubleshooting).”
“The problem is that the game is outrageously buggy right now.”
- optimization75 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance and improved graphics, while others report significant issues such as long loading times, stuttering, and AI pathfinding problems. Many users noted that the game runs well on mid-range systems, but some experienced crashes and performance drops during specific scenarios. Overall, while there are notable improvements, several players feel that further optimization is needed to fully enhance the gaming experience.
“Age of Mythology Retold does the remake justice, keeping the feel of the game while updating the graphics performance and some much-needed quality of life changes, namely changing the god powers from only a single use to first time is free then charging favor to cast again (after cooldowns).”
“The game runs smoothly on multiplayer and campaign.”
“The game is well optimized and looks great too.”
“The AI is worse than in the original, the pathfinding is a lot worse than in the original, there's quite a bit of stuttering, the loading times are ridiculously long (even compared to the original), and the multiplayer settings are barebones.”
“This game is terrible; pathing issues, crashes, has bricked my PC multiple times, cheating AI, performance issues, etc.”
“Game flat out feels unoptimized.”
- monetization27 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- 15 % neutral mentions
- 81 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many users labeling it a "cash grab" that exploits nostalgia rather than offering substantial improvements. Concerns include the absence of previously released DLC, the presence of microtransactions, and a perceived lack of genuine effort from the developers. While some appreciate the game's core and the love put into its creation, the overall sentiment leans towards disappointment regarding its monetization strategy.
“Microtransactions - in-game purchases.”
“Microtransactions - in-game purchases.”
“Microtransactions - in-game purchases.”
“I was hoping for major, real improvements but this game feels like a cash grab.”
“Pretty much a reskin of the old game... 20 years later and they clearly just want a cash grab, pretty sad with such an amazing IP.”
“This game is just a cash grab designed to prey on the nostalgia of millennials... sad.”
- humor17 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mix of nostalgic charm and unexpected moments, with players finding amusement in both the updated graphics that resemble the original and the quirky physics that lead to hilarious in-game scenarios. While some aspects, like the campaign's difficulty, are frustratingly humorous, the overall experience is filled with funny characters and entertaining moments, making it a surprisingly enjoyable remaster. The blend of irony and comedic elements, such as units flying through the air and amusing god powers, adds a lighthearted touch to the gameplay.
“It's kind of funny that the game looks almost exactly like it did to me over 20 years ago even though it's been super updated with new graphics.”
“The story actually has some charming humor to it which I never would have thought.”
“The physics are hilarious, dudes flying in the air with their horses are just priceless 👌”
- grinding15 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 73 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and slow, with issues like poor graphics and difficult unit selection contributing to a frustrating experience. However, some improvements, such as auto-queuing units and enhanced hotkeys, have made certain grinding elements more manageable, leading to a more enjoyable gameplay experience for some users. Despite these enhancements, many still feel that significant grinding is required, often humorously suggesting that players will need "a second life" to fully engage with the game.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The gameplay is slow, it's hard to read the mini map, unit selection is tedious, and the graphics are poor.”
“Once the designer team fixes these issues I'll be happy to return to it, but until then it is far too tedious to play to be worth your while.”
“The 'clean up' process near to victory is just as tedious.”
- atmosphere15 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is a mixed bag, with many praising the enhanced soundtrack and immersive environments that capture the essence of the original while modernizing certain elements. However, some players feel that the graphics and redesigns have diminished the unique atmospheric qualities of specific locations, leading to a more uniform experience that lacks the intended emotional impact. Overall, while the remastered elements contribute positively, there are concerns about the loss of the original game's distinctive vibe.
“The enhanced soundtrack, with its sweeping orchestral scores and atmospheric sound effects, perfectly complements the on-screen action.”
“The buildings and characters have their models completely redesigned, and the overall atmosphere is enhanced by a new soundtrack with instruments typical of the cultures you are currently playing.”
“The remastered soundtrack is another highlight, blending nostalgic themes with fresh compositions that complement the game's atmosphere perfectly.”
“Also, the game seems more like a mobile game or application and doesn't have the original taste and atmosphere.”
“The graphics, while sharper, lack the atmosphere that the previous game had.”
“For example, it doesn't feel spooky in a spooky map or hot in a desert map; it's the same atmosphere everywhere.”
- replayability14 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Overall, the game boasts high replayability due to its inclusion of new content like campaigns, units, and multiplayer features, appealing especially to fans of real-time strategy. While some players desire more playable factions, the variety and ongoing updates promise longevity and continued engagement. The game's beautiful visuals and beginner-friendly design further enhance its replay value, making it a worthwhile experience for both newcomers and veterans alike.
“The inclusion of new content, such as additional campaigns and updated multiplayer features, adds significant replay value.”
“It’s got a solid campaign, plenty of multiplayer options, and tons of replay value, especially if you’re into real-time strategy games.”
“One of the highlights of Age of Mythology is its timeless visuals and replayability.”
“I was hoping for more playable factions, but that isn't a complaint about the quality of the game.”
“The upgrade is good, but it's still rough around the edges; I'll wait for more patches so it's smoother and more playable, and the voice acting can be a bit monotone sometimes.”
“One of the highlights of Age of Mythology is its timeless visuals and replayability.”
- emotional8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game evokes a mix of nostalgia and disappointment, with players appreciating the developers' efforts to revitalize the experience while feeling that the new voice acting lacks the depth of the original. Many express a strong emotional connection to the game, recalling fond memories from their childhood, which enhances their overall experience despite some critiques. The game's visual improvements elicit feelings of joy and nostalgia, making players feel like children again.
“The developers have done an incredible job bringing this game new life and amazing gameplay; it almost makes me emotional because this was the first PC game I ever played and has stuck with me for 16 years.”
“The game is so pretty now it makes me want to cry.”
“Made me feel like a kid again, like playing the original for the first time.”
- character development2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is noted for its passion-driven approach, featuring a new mission that enhances a previously underdeveloped fan-favorite character. However, some users feel that the character designs lack distinctiveness, leading to a sense of blending among them.
“You can tell this is a passion project and less of a money grab (cough cough WC III Reforged) as they have included a new mission that explores a fan-favorite character who was neglected in the original game when it came to character development.”
“The character designs all blend together a bit too much.”
“You can tell this is a passion project and less of a money grab (cough cough WC III Reforged) as they have included a new mission that explores a fan-favorite character who was neglected in the original game when it came to character development.”
