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Age of Mythology: Retold

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Age of Mythology: Retold
Developer(s)
Publisher(s)Xbox Game Studios
Director(s)Adam Isgreen
SeriesAge of Empires
Platform(s)
ReleaseSeptember 4, 2024
Genre(s)Real-time strategy
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Age of Mythology: Retold is a real-time strategy video game developed by World's Edge, Tantalus Media and Forgotten Empires and published by Xbox Game Studios. It serves as a remastered version of Age of Mythology, originally developed by Ensemble Studios and released in 2002. It was first revealed on October 25, 2022. The game was released on September 4, 2024, for Windows and Xbox Series X/S.[1] The game received generally positive reviews from critics.

Gameplay

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Top-down view of an Atlantean town in the game

Age of Mythology: Retold combines elements of the original game with modern real-time strategy design and visuals. Built using Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition's version of the Bang Engine, all units and animations were completely redone for the remake. The remake features a new fully symphonic version of the original soundtrack, featuring numerous tweaks and modernizations, and offering more options for players.[2]

Players can choose mythological gods from the Greek, Norse, Egyptian, and Atlantean pantheons, using their powers to summon powerful creatures and cast spells against their enemies.[3] The game features a 50-mission campaign that takes players across various mythical worlds, including locations such as Troy, Midgard, and Egypt. Notably, Retold's description only refers to the Greek, Egyptian, Norse, and Atlantean cultures, excluding content from the Tale of the Dragon expansion, unlike the Definitive Edition re-releases of Age of Empires I, II, and III, which included all previously released official content at launch. However, the Chinese pantheon – alongside one other, as yet unspecified – has been confirmed as post-release content for the game.[4] Players can command units inspired by world mythologies, such as Centaurs, Trolls, Mummies, and Cyclops.[5][6]

Myth unit abilities can be activated by players at will, rather than automatically cast by the unit. A unit's charged ability can also be set to trigger automatically, similar to the original game. The favor cap of 100 is changed or removed.[3] God powers are now generally multi-use with cooldowns, and reusing some of the most powerful god powers, like Son of Osiris, costs favor. A new Wonder Age introduces cheaper god power casting, though its relation to the current Titan Age is unclarified. An auto-economy feature is added through systems such as Villager Priority.[7] Resource drop site foundations can be selected from a resource's command panel, and when placed, a nearby idle Villager will be automatically tasked to it. The population limit is increased, and the game now includes ray tracing. Hotkey buttons are displayed on icons in the command panel, while crush armor, reload time, and attack multipliers are shown next to other unit/building attributes in the information panel. The Scenario Editor has a text filter option to find objects faster, and all upgraded myth units have unique visuals. Additionally, the game notifies the player when approaching the population space capacity.[8]

Campaign plot

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See also: Age of Mythology

Players enter a world where ancient mythological pantheons from various cultures coexist and vie for dominance. The Greeks, Norse, Egyptians, and Atlanteans are all embroiled in a struggle, wielding their divine powers in war. The narrative arc of the game is centered around this conflict, with each civilization bringing its myths and legendary creatures to the battlefield. Players choose a pantheon and lead their chosen gods and heroes to victory, shaping the fate of the world with each decision.[9]

Development

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Age of Mythology: Retold is being co-developed by World's Edge, Forgotten Empires, Tantalus Media, CaptureAge, and Virtuos Games. The game was first revealed on October 25, 2022.[10] World's Edge announced the game's release date on June 9, 2024, at the Xbox Summer Showcase. It was released for Windows and Xbox Series X/S on September 4, 2024.[11] The game aims to combine elements of the original with modern design and visuals, providing an experience for both old fans and new players. The developers are enhancing the definitive editions of previous Age of Empires games to build the game that players have envisioned. This includes adding ray tracing, increasing the population limit, and incorporating an engine to handle special effects.[3]

Buyers of the premium edition were allowed from the 12th to the 14th of July, 2024 to play the beta version of the game that includes the gods of the Greek, Egyptian and Norse civilization in the skirmish and multiplayer game mode and the first 5 scenarios from the "Fall of the Trident" campaign.[12] The edition also offered full advanced access, seven days prior to its September 4 release date.[13]

Reception

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According to review aggregator Metacritic, Age of Mythology: Retold was received "generally favourable" based on 28 critic reviews for PC and 7 critic reviews for Xbox Series X.[21][22] As per OpenCritic, 85% of the 34 critic reviews recommend the game.[23]

PCGamesN complimented the enhanced UI, describing it as clearer and more vibrant while offering a more user-friendly experience. Criticism was aimed at the upgraded visuals; some players may find the new detailed art lacks the original's charm and feels too generic.[24] Windows Central commented positively on the enhanced visuals and the faithful recreation of the audio and soundtrack. They also noted the improvements in gameplay and the range of accessibility options. Some criticism was directed at pathfinding issues and a few bugs and glitches.[25]

Awards

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The game received a nomination as "Best Microsoft Xbox Game" at the Gamescom Awards 2024.[26]

Notes

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  1. ^ Additional development work by Tantalus Media, CaptureAge, and Virtuos

References

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  1. ^ Boudreau, Ian (October 25, 2022). "Age of Mythology: Retold will remaster the classic RTS game". PCGamesN. Archived from the original on June 27, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  2. ^ Hryb, Larry; Rothamel, Ethan; Saylor, Steve (October 28, 2022). Age of Empires on Consoles, Logitech G Cloud and more. Archived from the original on January 24, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2024 – via YouTube.
  3. ^ a b c Bolding, Jonathan (February 23, 2024). "Age of Mythology: Retold's developers are going 'way beyond' the definitive editions for Age of Empires: 'We want to build the game in your head'". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on June 11, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  4. ^ Brosofsky, Ben (March 1, 2024). "An Iconic RTS Is Getting A Nostalgic, Epic Remake". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on June 13, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  5. ^ Jason Kong, Clark (June 27, 2024). "Age of Mythology: Retold Gameplay and Story Info | Everything We Know So Far". Game8. Archived from the original on June 27, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  6. ^ Tolbert, Samuel (June 12, 2024). "I played this gorgeous strategy remake and now it's one of my most anticipated games of the year". Windows Central. Archived from the original on June 27, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  7. ^ Duran, Misael (October 25, 2022). "When is the release date for Age of Mythology Retold?". Gamepur. Archived from the original on June 27, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  8. ^ Romano, Sal (February 23, 2024). "Age of Mythology: Retold launches in 2024 for Xbox Series, Xbox One, and PC". Gematsu. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  9. ^ Karanja, Evans (June 27, 2024). "Age of Mythology: Retold — Everything We Know - Gaming.net". Gaming.net. Archived from the original on August 18, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  10. ^ Age of Mythology: Retold - Announce Trailer. October 25, 2022. Archived from the original on June 27, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024 – via IGN.
  11. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (June 9, 2024). "Microsoft Announces Age of Mythology Retold Release Date at Xbox Games Showcase". IGN. Archived from the original on August 18, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  12. ^ McCarter, Reid (July 9, 2024). "Age of Mythology: Retold set to launch limited time beta very soon". PCGamesN. Archived from the original on August 18, 2024. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
  13. ^ Romano, Sal (June 9, 2024). "Age of Mythology: Retold launches September 4". Gematsu. Archived from the original on June 9, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  14. ^ "Age of Mythology: Retold Reviews". OpenCritic. August 27, 2024. Archived from the original on August 27, 2024. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  15. ^ "Age of Mythology: Retold for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  16. ^ "Age of Mythology: Retold for Xbox Series X reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on August 28, 2024. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  17. ^ Wells, Cory (August 27, 2024). "Review: Age of Mythology: Retold Offers Solid Modern Day Fun". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  18. ^ Iwaniuk, Phil (August 27, 2024). "Age of Mythology: Retold review". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on September 19, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  19. ^ Benfell, Grace (August 27, 2024). "22 years later, one of the all-time best fantasy RTS games gets a worthy remake". PCGamesN. Archived from the original on August 29, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  20. ^ Broadwell, Josh (August 27, 2024). "Age of Mythology Retold review: I've heard this story before". Shacknews. Archived from the original on September 30, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  21. ^ "Age of Mythology: Retold for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  22. ^ "Age of Mythology: Retold for Xbox Series X reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on August 28, 2024. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  23. ^ "Age of Mythology: Retold Reviews". OpenCritic. August 27, 2024. Archived from the original on August 27, 2024. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  24. ^ Benfell, Grace (August 27, 2024). "22 years later, one of the all-time best fantasy RTS games gets a worthy remake". PCGamesN. Archived from the original on August 29, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  25. ^ Tolbert, Samuel (August 27, 2024). "Age of Mythology: Retold review — A wonderful remake that lays the foundation for years of expansions". Windows Central. Archived from the original on August 27, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  26. ^ Makuch, Eddie (August 19, 2024). "All The Gamescom Awards 2024 Categories And Nominees". GameSpot. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
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