Age of Mythology: Retold Hands On - My HONEST impressions...

Age of Mythology: Retold Hands On - My HONEST Impressions...

Fans of the classic real-time strategy game, Age of Mythology, have something to look forward to with the impending release of Age of Mythology: Retold. Slated for release in just a couple of months, the game promises to bring a refreshed experience of the original, and if you're reading this soon after the video went live, there's an open Beta happening this weekend. Unlike previous betas which required a pre-order of the Premium Edition, this one is available for anyone willing to give the link in the description a click.

Sponsored by Gravity

Before diving into the details of Age of Mythology: Retold, a quick shout-out to the video sponsor, Gravity. They're a games publisher with a knack for uncovering promising Indie titles. Notable upcoming releases from them include "Altf42", a sequel to "Altf4", "Pig Romance", a grim fairy tale adventure game, and "Little Gods of the Abyss", a story-driven action game. Links for these games can be found in the description if you want to support their work.

Initial Impressions of Age of Mythology: Retold

I've had the chance to play the tutorial, five campaign missions, several skirmish games, and explored all three available factions in the beta. It's worth noting that the Atlantians are absent in this beta, and there's been no mention of the Chinese faction except a footnote about new Chinese Pantheon to be introduced in future expansions. For my detailed thoughts on the advanced access scheme and pre-order exclusive factions, stick around till the end.

This marks my first time playing Age of Mythology: Retold. Though I hadn’t much exposure to it before, the revamped gameplay trailer had me intrigued. I was curious to see how they’d bring the old charm of Age of Mythology into the modern era, similar to the way they handled Age of Empires 2 and 3 Definitive Editions.

Here’s a touchy subject: the game comes with built-in watermarks usually seen in NDA builds. However, since this beta is public, there was no NDA in place. This footage is from the previous beta and not the public build available this weekend.

Visual Overhaul

The game hits the mark with its visual overhaul. Every aspect is significantly refined, and the art style is kept intact. Terrain, in particular, stands out and reminds me of the enhancements seen in Age of Empires 3 Definitive Edition. However, some issues persist. Notably, some texture pop-ins and minor glitches need fixing before release. Performance was also average at best, and with the game set to release soon, there's limited time to correct these faults.

Gameplay and Mechanics

While I’ve preferred Age of Empires over Age of Mythology, I'm quite impressed with the changes. If you’ve played Age of Empires, you’ll find the transition to Age of Mythology: Retold seamless. Core elements like resource gathering, advancing through ages, and base building remain the same. However, its mythological setting and the gods-based mechanics give it a unique flair. Notably, god powers can now be used multiple times via a recharge timer, a significant deviation from their one-off use in the original.

Campaign and Presentation

The first few missions available in the campaign give a good sense of what to expect, though the presentation has not changed much. While it now looks better, the campaign still retains its old narrative style. The cinematics haven’t seen a substantial upgrade akin to Warcraft 3: Reforged but manage to retain the vibe of the original.

Controversial Business Practices

Here comes the controversial bit—the Premium Edition of Age of Mythology: Retold. It includes a week of advanced access and exclusive gameplay content. Not just cosmetics, but actual gameplay content. The specifics aren’t clear, but it risks offering advantages to players who can afford it. It's a trend seen with many digital releases, pushing consumers to pay without knowing what they’re getting.

Final Thoughts

Despite these concerns, Age of Mythology: Retold seems poised to be a hit. It looks incredible and plays as you remember, with new visuals, mechanical tweaks, and promises of further expansions. I do wish it launched with more new content, but the visual overhaul, mechanical additions, and console debut are likely enough to justify its existence.

Keyword

• Age of Mythology: Retold
• Open Beta
• Visual Overhaul
• Mythological Setting
• God Powers
• Premium Edition
• Advanced Access

FAQ

1. When is Age of Mythology: Retold releasing?

• Age of Mythology: Retold is set to release in a couple of months.

2. Is the open Beta available for everyone?

• Yes, the open Beta this weekend is available for everyone.

3. Are there any changes to God powers?

• Yes, God powers can now be used multiple times via a recharge timer, unlike their single-use nature in the original.

4. What are some issues found in the Beta?

• Texture pop-ins, visual glitches, poor shadows in campaign cutscenes, and average performance.

5. What does the Premium Edition include?

• It includes a week of advanced access and exclusive gameplay content, but the full details are not clear yet.

6. Will there be new factions or campaigns at launch?

• No new factions or campaigns are launching with the game, but expansions are planned.