Age of Mythology: Retold launched July 12, 2024, modernising the beloved classic with upgraded graphics, refined gameplay, and quality-of-life improvements. It quickly became a favourite for nostalgic players and newcomers. The adventure continues with the release of the First Expansion, Age of Mythology: Retold—Immortal Pillars. If you want to read a full review of the game, you can read that here.

Unleash the power of Chinese mythology in the Immortal Pillars DLC. This introduces a new pantheon of gods, legendary myth units, and inspiring godpowers, all tied into an epic campaign inspired by ancient Chinese legends. You can summon the fierce goddess Nüwa, the creator of humanity and protector of the heavens, command Chiyou, the bull-headed god of war, and hardness the devastating powers of Nüba, the relentless bringer of drought.

Control the skies with Yinglong, the mighty flying rain dragon. Like before, each GOD has unique god powers and mythological units they bring to the battlefields, enriching strategic gameplay. There are 12 new GODs you can choose from that won’t leave you scratching your head for something to do.

The immortal pillars expansion adds a 9-level campaign that immerses you in the rich narrative journey through Chinese mythology, where legendary creatures, ancient deities, and timeless folklore come to life. You also can now explore seven new maps, each set in a breathtaking biome inspired by the ironic landscapes of China. Each map has its iconic feel and is a true testament to China.

If you are into Chinese mythology and like commanding those special units, there are some new mythical units you can get amongst with the likes of Yazi, Zhuque, and Taowu, which can make or break a game quite quickly. The campaign is a little shorter, but it’s still fun to play around with.

I liked the mechanic of favoured land, which, if you build things nearby, the land becomes favoured, and you get the benefits from this, which will help you out in the long game. When you put down a building, a certain area is favoured, and when you expand, you keep things nice and close.

Sometimes, it can feel a little unbalanced, which goes in your favour from being able to spawn walls super quick with the favoured land mechanic. This could be abused if you are playing online, but it’s fun to use while versing the AI.

I loved the art style, especially the intricate details in the Chinese-themed buildings, which made the game feel more authentic and rich in culture. The GODs themselves were beautifully crafted, and the textures were just right, showing their power. The entire setting felt bright and vibrant, which I could get around and enjoy looking at.

Age of Mythology: Retold – Immortal Pillars Expansion is a stunning addition that masterfully weaves rich culture into the gameplay with that perfect mixture of Mythology. There is plenty of content for newcomers or returning players to amuse themselves for a few more hours even after finishing the small campaign.

Written by: Hayden Nelson