If you are old time gamer you might remember the days when Tiberium harvesters and chariot archers ruled the screen? My old keyboard was practically worn out from all the ‘build archery range’ shortcuts I hammered out. Those were the glory days of real-time strategy games, and nowadays, when one pops up with a name like Age of…, you know I’m all in.
So, I played the game and now let’s dive into Age of Mythology: Retold.
Age of Mythology: Retold Review
This isn’t just a faithful remake of the 2002 classic but a modern reimagining. It’s like updating your favorite old movie with fresh CGI while keeping the original plot.
They’ve managed to polish up the game without stripping away that nostalgic magic—though I must say, some of the voice acting might make you cringe a bit.
The team behind this overhaul is like a dream lineup: World’s Edge, Forgotten Empires, Tantalus Media, CaptureAge, and Virtuos Games all pitched in. Given such a star-studded roster, it’s no surprise that the game feels as cohesive as a well-rehearsed band.
Age of Mythology takes the Age of Empires formula and adds a mythological twist. Imagine your typical RTS with a splash of gods and monsters.
It’s more laid-back compared to the cutthroat pace of Starcraft, but still keeps you on your toes with its rock-paper-scissors mechanic of unit strengths and weaknesses
Winning here is about picking the right mix of units and managing your resources—food, wood, gold, and favor.
Visual, UI & Overhaul Improovement
Now, let’s talk about the visuals and UI overhaul, Here everything’s organized and looks sharp.
Hero units have a cool glow about them, and the ancient settings are lush and detailed. I’ve caught myself daydreaming while staring at the gorgeous oceans in-game, losing track of time.
Combat in this game
A game-changer for me has been the new ‘attack move’ command.
Ever had your units wander off on some wild goose chase? With this feature, your troops will engage every enemy they meet on their way to their destination.
No more pointless dashes into enemy buildings while ignoring the real threats. It’s a big upgrade from the original’s often baffling pathfinding.
One of the best aspects of this game is finding that sweet spot between mythical and human units.
I spent a few skirmishes figuring out the right mix for the Nords, who now have more ranged units but still play differently from their rivals.
A handy tip: their military units can also build, which is pretty neat.
In naval battles, I found that spamming ships to distract opponents was a solid strategy. Destroying their docks became a crucial step to securing victory. The aquatic version of rock-paper-scissors is as strategic as the land-based one, making naval combat a real treat.
God powers have also been revamped. Instead of being game-changing, one-shot wonders, they now have cooldown timers and can be used multiple times per round.
This adds a layer of strategy, as you have to time their use just right. Powers range from AoE damage to fun twists like Aphrodite’s curse, which turns enemy units into pigs.
Wonders have shifted from being game-ending if defended long enough to providing ongoing buffs that speed up your victory. It’s a less stressful route to winning but still requires smart resource management.
In Conclusion: A Worthy Retelling
The beauty of Retold lies in its blend of slower-paced, therapeutic RTS gameplay with a mix of historical and mythical units.
Overall, Age of Mythology: Retold takes bold steps in tweaking the original game, leading to some strategically rich skirmishes.
Watching Minotaurs and Hittites lay siege to Troy has been a highlight for me. It could have pushed the envelope further stylistically, especially with how gods and heroes are portrayed.
