Age of Mythology: Retold

90%
Game Brain Score Based on 7,309 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • story
Age of Mythology: Retold Game Cover
Age of Mythology: Retold is a masterful blend of nostalgia and innovation that fans and newcomers will both cherish.
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"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?

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 7,309 reviews
graphics483 positive mentions
stability87 negative mentions
  • Stunning graphics that enhance the original game's visuals while maintaining its charm.
  • Faithful to the original gameplay with significant quality of life improvements, such as reusable god powers and better AI.
  • Engaging campaigns and multiplayer modes that provide hours of fun and nostalgia.
  • New voice acting is often considered inferior to the original, lacking the same emotional impact.
  • Persistent bugs and issues with AI pathfinding and unit responsiveness can detract from the gameplay experience.
  • Multiplayer mode suffers from frequent desync issues, making it frustrating for players.
  • graphics1,130 mentions

    The graphics in "Age of Mythology: Retold" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visual overhaul, which enhances the original's charm while introducing modern aesthetics and improved detail. Players appreciate the vibrant environments, detailed character models, and smooth animations, although some express disappointment over certain artistic choices and minor graphical glitches. Overall, the remaster successfully balances nostalgia with contemporary graphics, making it a visually appealing experience for both new players and long-time fans.

    • “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 sound design is terrible, and the graphics barely look updated.”
    • “The graphics update isn't much.”
    • “The graphics are not just better, but the whole engine means you can have more units without slowdowns.”
  • gameplay723 mentions

    The gameplay of "Age of Mythology: Retold" has been largely praised for retaining the core mechanics that made the original a classic while introducing significant quality-of-life improvements and new features, such as reusable god powers and enhanced unit balancing. Players appreciate the nostalgic feel combined with modern graphics and smoother gameplay, although some have noted issues with balance and AI performance. Overall, the remaster successfully revitalizes the beloved RTS experience, making it accessible for both new players and veterans.

    • “This game is brilliant, as a player of the original game this new redesigned version is everything I could have dreamt of and more. The gameplay is excellent, the myth units and god powers are better not just in appearance but in how well they play and affect the game as well. The game mechanics are better, and the exciting new god pack contents are great.”
    • “The gameplay remains as captivating as it was two decades ago, with a perfect balance between strategy, resource management, and mythology.”
    • “The gameplay changes are overall well thought out, and the balance changes make the game even tighter than it was originally.”
    • “General gameplay on higher difficulties is terrible.”
    • “The reason for my negative review isn't about the core game, but about their so-called 'gods arena' update, which is very boring, and the gameplay only has one strategy—universal: rush.”
    • “In short, it looks like there are many choices, but the core gameplay is just one: rush, rush, and rush.”
  • story462 mentions

    The story in "Age of Mythology: Retold" remains largely faithful to the original, featuring a rich narrative that intertwines Greek, Egyptian, and Norse mythologies across approximately 50 missions. While many players appreciate the nostalgic elements and engaging gameplay, some criticize the new voice acting and occasional mission balance issues, which can lead to frustrating experiences. Overall, the remastered campaign is seen as a compelling blend of classic storytelling and modern enhancements, though some players express a desire for new content and improved voice performances.

    • “Whether you’re reliving the story or diving back into the mythological battles, retold will remind you why you fell in love with the game in the first place.”
    • “The story campaign, 'Fall of the Trident', is a thrilling journey packed with heroes, gods, and massive mythical beasts.”
    • “The remastered cutscenes breathe new life into the story, making the characters and their struggles feel even more engaging.”
    • “The story is barely 'retold' with the same cheesy dialogue, paper-thin characters, and little story point in doing optional objectives.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
  • music205 mentions

    The music in "Age of Mythology: Retold" has received mixed reviews, with many praising the remastered soundtrack for its orchestral arrangements and nostalgic feel, while others express disappointment over the changes made to the original compositions. Some players appreciate the modern twist on classic tracks, noting that the new music enhances the game's atmosphere, but a significant number of fans long for the original soundtrack, feeling that it captures the essence of the game more effectively. Overall, the remastered audio is seen as a highlight, though opinions vary on its fidelity to the beloved original.

    • “The music sets the tone perfectly, and the sound design really adds a lot to the game.”
    • “The familiar music—updated yet still retaining its heart-stirring melodies—immediately transported me back to my childhood, sitting by my dad, flipping through mythology books, and dreaming of gods and heroes.”
    • “The remastered soundtrack is another highlight, blending nostalgic themes with fresh compositions that complement the game's atmosphere perfectly.”
    • “The music, the voice acting, and the narration are jarringly bad, a definite step down from the original.”
    • “Some tracks are straight up off-key and jarring to listen to, at least as someone who remembers the original OST so fondly.”
    • “I'd also add that whilst some of the remastered soundtracks for Age of Mythology: Retold are fine, some of the soundtrack is really quite terrible.”
  • optimization102 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed feedback. While many players report smooth performance and stability, especially after recent updates, some experience significant frame drops and stuttering at high graphics settings or during intense gameplay. Despite these issues, the game is generally considered a substantial improvement over previous editions, with enhanced graphics and the ability to handle larger armies effectively.

    • “The game runs smoothly with updated graphics that enhance the experience while preserving the original aesthetic.”
    • “A huge upgrade in graphics, textures, and SFX while still being very well optimized and running extremely smoothly.”
    • “The game is well optimized and looks great too.”
    • “The serious performance problems it has at high graphics settings are even more frustrating.”
    • “Considering the substantial price I paid for this remastered game, I'm really disappointed with the quality and performance.”
    • “Up to this moment performance is a complete and absolute garbage, the game is beautiful, animations and effects are amazing and so far I love it but for the love of Thalos it is impossible for me to have more than 60 fps at 720p with a Ryzen 3 + 5500 XT and 24 GB of RAM, my hardware usage is at 50% so I don't know if it's a bug or what, hope they improve it in the future but for now it's kinda unplayable to me.”
  • stability100 mentions

    The stability of "Age of Mythology: Retold" has received mixed feedback, with many users reporting significant bugs and glitches that affect gameplay, particularly in multiplayer modes. While some players note that the game runs well on various systems and appreciate its visual improvements, the prevalence of issues such as crashes, AI pathfinding problems, and matchmaking difficulties detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the game is described as "buggy," with many hoping for future patches to address these concerns.

    • “The game runs great and looks good.”
    • “Unlike other MS games, this is actually polished and runs great.”
    • “AOM Retold strikes a perfect balance - extremely faithful while still updating and improving the feel of combat, economy, myth units, etc. Runs great, nice and stable on my fairly dated laptop.”
    • “The game is still very buggy.”
    • “There is no need for the game to be this buggy, this late in the development stage.”
    • “The problem is that the game is outrageously buggy right now.”
  • monetization34 mentions

    The monetization strategy for the game has drawn significant criticism, with many reviewers labeling it a "cash grab" that exploits nostalgia by selling previously paid content and introducing microtransactions. Players express disappointment over the lack of bundled DLC and the perception that the remaster is more focused on profit than genuine improvement. While some appreciate the game's nostalgic value and quality, the overall sentiment leans towards frustration with its monetization practices.

    • “Microtransactions - in-game purchases.”
    • “Microtransactions - in-game purchases.”
    • “Microtransactions - in-game purchases.”
    • “I just had to push back on some design choices and the re-monetization of minor elements some of us already paid for 20 years ago.”
    • “This game is just a cash grab designed to prey on the nostalgia of millennials... sad.”
    • “The fact that legacy god portraits are considered DLC is bad enough of a cash grab, to be honest.”
  • humor25 mentions

    The humor in "Age of Mythology: Retold" is a standout feature, with players enjoying absurd scenarios like making a donkey fly and witnessing hilarious unit interactions, such as characters soaring through the air. The game balances its challenging gameplay with charming and funny moments, including amusing character designs and witty dialogue, while also eliciting nostalgia for its unchanged visual style. Overall, the humor adds a delightful layer to the gameplay experience, making it both entertaining and engaging.

    • “If you’ve ever wanted to command mythological beasts while laughing at the absurdity of your decisions, Age of Mythology: Retold is the game for you.”
    • “The physics are hilarious; dudes flying in the air with their horses are just priceless.”
    • “Watching a hydra sprout extra heads after snacking on enemy soldiers is as satisfying as ever—though I still can't decide if it's more terrifying or hilarious.”
  • grinding24 mentions

    Overall, players express that grinding in the game is excessively tedious, often requiring a significant time investment that feels overwhelming. While some improvements have been made to streamline certain aspects, many still find the gameplay slow and frustrating, with a strong desire for better quality of life features to alleviate the grind. However, a few users note that recent updates have reduced the grindiness compared to other RTS games, making it somewhat more enjoyable.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “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.”
  • replayability23 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability due to its diverse factions, god powers system, and seed-generated maps, encouraging players to explore various strategies and playstyles. The inclusion of new content, such as additional campaigns and multiplayer options, further enhances its longevity. While some aspects may need refinement, the overall experience offers significant replay value, especially for fans of real-time strategy games.

    • “The updated 'god powers' system has great replayability for all factions and it encourages players to explore different playstyles.”
    • “A legendary RTS returns with godly vengeance and fervor; there are so many combinations between gods and pantheons, and every faction is exquisitely balanced, offering different playstyles and loads of replay value. Great one Microsoft & Steam!”
    • “Maps are beautiful and balanced, plus they're seed-generated, so even if you pick the same one, it will change a bit, increasing replayability.”
    • “Update: quite a few updates which focused on fixing AI, UI, editor, etc. have dropped as well as new content like Arena of the Gods (still needs a lot of work to be more replayable).”
    • “This mode doesn't have much replayability.”
    • “I was hoping for more playable factions, but that isn't a complaint about the quality of the game.”
  • atmosphere19 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is largely praised for its immersive qualities, enhanced by a re-recorded orchestral soundtrack that complements the visuals and gameplay. While many appreciate the balance between nostalgia and modern updates, some critics note a loss of the original's unique vibe in certain areas, leading to a less impactful experience in specific environments. Overall, the atmosphere successfully retains the essence of the original while introducing fresh elements, though opinions vary on the effectiveness of these changes.

    • “The re-recorded soundtrack, performed by a full orchestra, elevates the game’s atmosphere.”
    • “The enhanced soundtrack, with its sweeping orchestral scores and atmospheric sound effects, perfectly complements the on-screen action.”
    • “Immersive atmosphere - captivating environment.”
    • “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.”
  • emotional12 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Age of Mythology: Retold" resonates deeply with players, evoking nostalgia and joy as they reconnect with a beloved classic. Many reviewers express a profound sense of attachment, highlighting the game's ability to rekindle childhood memories and feelings, despite some critiques of the new voice acting. Overall, the remaster is seen as a heartfelt tribute that enhances the original experience while maintaining its emotional core.

    • “Returning to the game in this enhanced version is a profoundly emotional and joyful experience.”
    • “Age of Mythology: Retold is far more than a simple remaster—it’s a heartfelt tribute to a timeless classic.”
    • “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.”
  • character development2 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.

    • “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.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

66% average critic score

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Play time

17hMedian play time
53hAverage play time
5-65hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 23 analyzed playthroughs

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