Remasters are all the rage in 2024, but they can certainly be hit or miss, so it’s pleasing that Age of Mythology: Retold has been such a resounding success so far. Launched in September, the complete overhaul for the beloved 2002 strategy game sits at an impressive 89% positive Steam review score from more than 10,000 user reviews. If you didn’t play the original, which arrived during the height of games like Command and Conquer and the ongoing Starcraft: Brood War, it’s certainly worth a look – and a free update has just made it even better.
Age of Mythology: Retold is a great way to experience the classic RTS game, and it’s proven popular, with the notable exception of controversy around its Legacy Portrait DLC, which charges users for the ability to replace artwork with images from the 2002 original. Outside of that, however, things look rosy. Now, a new AoM Retold update introduces a whole wealth of bug fixes, balance changes, and UI improvements.
The big headline feature of the update, however, is the introduction of new game mode Arena of the Gods. Playable solo or in co-op with a friend, it features a series of 35 skirmishes across Age of Mythology’s wealth of fantastical landscapes. Each victory gives you the ability to unlock new blessings from the gods, meaning you’ll have to choose if you want to tackle every battle before you and earn more upgrades, or simply rush to the final fight.
The structure of this new mode feels akin to the progression seen in the best roguelikes, albeit at a grander, campaign-level scale. As such, you can also expect additional challenges along the way – these come in the form of ‘world twists’ that place a variety of modifiers on each battle. These can sometimes work in your favor, but you’ll have to consider adopting your strategy if you want to take advantage of their benefits.
Beyond the new mode, this new Age of Mythology: Retold update also introduces an extensive list of other adjustments. There are improvements to the menus, balance changes across many of the pantheons and their major and minor gods, and a colossal number of smaller fixes and upgrades, all of which should result in a better overall experience.
New Age of Mythology: Retold mode Arena of the Gods is out now as part of free update 17.43876. The game is also on sale at a 20% discount on Steam through Monday November 11, meaning you can buy it for just $23.99 / £17.99 right now. It’s also available to PC Game Pass subscribers as part of Microsoft’s library. Read through the full patch notes courtesy of the development team to check every last tweak.
Additionally, you can check in on the game’s upcoming first expansion, Age of Mythology Retold DLC Immortal Pillars, or try another of the best strategy games on PC.
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