The great mythological campaigns are back on PC and consoles! Age of Mythology: Retold, the remake of the eponymous 2002 video game unveiled at Gamescom 2024'sOpening Night Live, has been waiting for you since September 4, 2024 on Xbox Series, PC and Steam. Join Arkantos, an Atlantean general, as he sets out to conquer Greek territory (and more), all under the watchful eye of the divine pantheon!
"From the creators of the award-winning Age of Empires franchise, Age of Mythology: Retold goes beyond history to immerse you in a mythical age where gods, monsters and humans clash. Combining the best elements of the beloved Age of Mythology with modern real-time strategy design and graphics, Retold offers an epic, innovative experience for old and new players alike. Conquer your domain, command legendary monsters and summon the power of the gods to crush your foes".
The Gamescom trailer, focusing on the character ofArkantos, immerses us in the mythological universe that made the original game such a success. The addition of a new Age of Wonders and the voice ofAthena guiding Arkantos on his quest are all elements that have rekindled the flame among die-hard fans. As Kristen Pirillo, Senior Game Designer at World's Edge, points out,"the main objective is to meet the expectations of these fans, faithfully recreating the original game while bringing in the modern improvements that today's development allows".
The new features don't stop at the visuals. The game also incorporates significant changes in gameplay, notably with the introduction of reusable divine powers, transforming the dynamics of battles. Players can also look forward to an increased population limit, enabling the deployment of even more impressive mythological armies. The meticulous work of the development teams is reflected in units of grandiose proportions, such as the Atlantean Argus:"In Age of Mythology, it was just a ball with a few tentacles, but in Retold, we can do so much more," explains Kristen Pirillo, emphasizing the ambition to amplify the mythological aspect of the game.
Our review of Age of Mythology Retold:
We hoped one day to return to a remastered version ofAge of Mythology... But we didn't expect it to arrive so soon! But what is this remaster version of the famous RTS (real-time strategy game) worth on PC and Xbox Series? It's definitely worth the detour! Graphically speaking, don't expect a graphical overhaul of the game... That's not the point. But the cinematic sequences and character dialogues have been improved. For the rest, we're back to the graphics of the 2002 game (more or less), riding a wave of nostalgia. New players may find the software dated, but we're not going to deny ourselves the pleasure.
As for the story, the campaign mode hasn't changed one iota... and we love it! But that doesn't mean there's nothing new... And you'll have to look at the gameplay to see that. A few additions, such as the choice of crop prioritization for villagers, or the 5th age, are rather welcome, even if they take a little getting used to. Another new feature is divine powers, which in this remastered version can be used several times during a game, adding a new dynamic to campaigns.
We also appreciate the automation of scout exploration, which removes a thorn in the side and offers time to do other things, such as reorganize resource gathering or organize various camp attacks. And with multiplayer that will delight nostalgic fans, Age of Mythology Retold really does have something to appeal to the widest possible audience. Whatever the case, we're still fans! All that's left is for you to make up your own mind.
A remake that doesn't just revive a cult game: it aims to offer an enriched and modernized experience, accessible to all types of gamers. Ready to dive back into mythology?
