Age of Mythology: Retold Is Smart to Fully Embrace its Theme

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Age of Mythology: Retold Is Smart to Fully Embrace its Theme

Key Takeaways

  • Age of Mythology: Retold fully embraces its core theme of mythology with unique pantheons and units.
  • The modern strategy market demands games to set themselves apart with unique themes like history and mythology.
  • Embracing mythology sets Age of Mythology: Retold apart from the competition in the crowded strategy genre.

As a gamer with a decade-long obsession with strategy games and a soft spot for mythology, I must say that Age of Mythology: Retold has truly captured my heart. This game harks back to the golden age of strategy gaming while simultaneously standing tall amidst today’s renaissance of strategic titles.

In the heyday of strategy games around 2002, “Age of Mythology” was introduced. Preceding it by three years was “Age of Empires 2”, and the same year saw the release of “Homeworld”. Two years before that, “Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2” hit the market along with “Europa Universalis”. Even licensed games were hopping on the strategy game trend, with titles like “Star Trek: Armada 2” and “Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds” launching in 2001.

In the midst of a fresh era for strategy games, approximately two decades following its original release, “Age of Mythology: Retold” has made its appearance. Games such as “Civilization,” “Frostpunk,” “Crusader Kings,” “Hearts of Iron,” and “Age of Empires” are currently spearheading the contemporary strategy genre. The impressive quality of these recent releases has sparked a resurgence in strategy games. However, with so many excellent options available, it can be a challenge to stand out. Yet, “Age of Mythology: Retold” maintains the same potent secret weapon that made its 2002 predecessor successful.

Age of Mythology: Retold’s Theme Immediately Sets It Apart From The Competition

The Strategy Market Is More Diverse Than Ever Before

For several decades, the strategy genre has maintained its popularity, although it doesn’t quite achieve the massive success of multiplayer shooters or large-scale action-adventure games. However, its popularity is substantial enough to spark a new age of creative, unique strategy games. To thrive in today’s market, a contemporary strategy game must differentiate itself from others.

In the past few years, exceptional strategy games have stood out by immersing players in a distinctive, encompassing theme that permeates all aspects of the game, such as its mechanics, storyline, visual aesthetics, and sound effects. For example, the city-builder game Frostpunk is set in a dystopian future where players must struggle to keep their colony alive amidst a new ice age. This theme is reflected throughout every aspect of Frostpunk, from its challenging moral decision system to minute details like its chilling, snow-covered user interface.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’d say that playing Frostpunk is just scratching the surface. Each exceptional modern strategy game has its unique theme that permeates the entire experience, making it more immersive. For instance, Crusader Kings is all about meticulously crafting historical accuracy, while Civilization offers a lighter, more entertaining journey through history. On the other hand, Tropico presents a satirical view of economic systems like capitalism and political control.

Age of Mythology: Retold Fully Embraces Its Core Theme

“Age of Mythology: Retold” – This game dives deeply into the realm of mythology, weaving it through every aspect. From the start, gamers have a choice of four unique pantheons to follow: Greek, Egyptian, Norse, and Atlantean. These pantheons draw inspiration from various European mythologies. Each pantheon offers three Major Gods for players to select as their in-game character, each equipped with a special God Power and distinct set of beneficial abilities. The Major Gods are well-known figures like Hades, Thor, Ra, and Kronos.

In a match, players gain access to an array of unique mythology-based characters from various pantheons. As they progress into a new era, players can pick a Minor Deity to join their ranks, some of whom are widely recognized like Aphrodite, Atlas, Heimdall, and Anubis. These Minor Deities also provide the player with exclusive Mythical Units, which include famous creatures such as Cyclops, Sphinx, and Nidhogg.

In the realm of gaming, mythology continues to hold a significant appeal with titles such as God of War and Hades leading the charge. However, strategy games don’t frequently delve into this area. By wholeheartedly embracing not one, but four unique mythologies, Age of Mythology: Retold distinguishes itself from its contemporaries in the gaming market.

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2024-09-11 21:04