Age of Mythology: Retold

Old school strategy, sensibly modernised. Creaky cutscenes and character art aside, the visual overhaul works wonders.

there's no denying that Age of Mythology’s gameplay can feel simplistic, which is ironic, considering how influential the series has been. Having played a bunch back in the day, the missed campaigns are appreciated, but we can’t see ourselves regularly returning to the well.

Age of Mythology Retold is fun, don’t get me wrong. The visual overhaul alone is enough to make playing this 22-year-old game easier, and the quality-of-life improvements sand down some of the older versions’ more annoying edges. However, with more substantial structural improvements in later Age of Empires games, plus with the likes of Ara: History Untold just around the corner, I’m just not sure Retold needed to exist.

Age of Mythology Retold brings back a classic, with new - great - visuals, a new UI, and a few new gameplay features. While it does, for the most part, feel more like a remaster, there's still an incredible amount to love here, and the few new features the army of developers have added bring a whole new level to the game.

Age of Mythology: Retold eliminates the need to play the original titles as it takes everything from both of those games, modernizes it and brings the experience to 2024. While it lacks the polish of Age of Empires IV, the game remains extremely fun thanks to the mythological units and God Powers that can be recharged and used multiple times. This aspect adds more depth that may have not been there for some players for AOE4. The gameplay aspect does still feel like a RTS from 2002, but the campaign, skirmish and the option of PVE multiplayer will supply a ton of hours to dive into Retold.

Age of Mythology: Retold brings the beloved original RTS back with a whole new look and feel, and so far, it has delivered everything fans could want.

Age of Mythology Retold delivers a masterful blend of nostalgia and modernity, preserving the original's charm while introducing significant visual and technical upgrades. Its unique fusion of history and mythology, engaging strategic gameplay (that still holds up), enchanting soundtrack, and improved AI make it stand out. While some may criticize the imbalance between mortal and mythic units, this remains an essential RTS experience - a one-of-a-kind title that mythology and strategy fans simply can't miss.

Age of Mythology: Retold is not just a re-issue of an RTS classic, but an overhaul that brings the world of Mythology to modern times. Revamping old techniques and introducing new controls and automations, this game proves what was thought to be impossible: a rich RTS experience playable via controller.

Age of Mythology: Retold isn’t a flawless masterpiece—no game ever is—but it’s a certainly thoughtful, well-executed revival that honours its roots while answering the prayers of discerning modern gamers.

Stainless, Age of Mythology: Retold arrives mature on PlayStation 5, bringing with it all the quality of its celebrated original version, along with all the technical and quality of life improvements of a good remaster very well adapted to the console's control system. With epic adventures worthy of the golden age of classic RTS games, it is an easy recommendation for both veterans and new enthusiasts of the genre.