Xbox and PC strategy game Age of Mythology: Retold just got even better thanks to a free new gameplay mode — but don’t make this one mistake

Xbox and PC strategy game Age of Mythology: Retold just got even better thanks to a free new gameplay mode — but don't make this one mistake

As a seasoned Age of Mythology fan, I must say I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the fresh breath Arena of the Gods has brought into this classic game! With its unique modifiers and ever-changing strategies, it’s like savoring a familiar dish with an unexpected twist that leaves you craving for more.


Even the best formula can use a quick shake-up.

As a tech enthusiast, let me share my excitement about the innovative approach behind “Arena of the Gods,” a fresh mode added to Age of Mythology: Retold by Xbox Game Studios and World Edge. Instead of the traditional gameplay, Arena of the Gods introduces dynamic modifiers and optional perks, ensuring each battle feels unique. Despite the familiar faces of human armies and mythical units squaring off, the unpredictable factors in this mode offer a refreshing twist to the classic clashes.

Before its launch, I got an opportunity to try out Arena of the Gods extensively, exploring various situations and observing how World’s Edge and its associates are altering the game’s strategy dynamics. In summary, it’s a robust enhancement to one of my top picks for the year, and the fact that it’s completely free makes it even more appealing.

New abilities and strategies that are constantly changing

Xbox and PC strategy game Age of Mythology: Retold just got even better thanks to a free new gameplay mode — but don't make this one mistake

The “Arena of the Gods” is a fresh gameplay mode designed for solo players, but it also supports cooperative play with a friend. In this mode, you will face 35 combat situations that resemble what you might encounter in multiplayer matches, except that you’ll be facing AI opponents instead of real players.

The main distinction of Arena of the Gods lies in its exclusive modifiers. Each conflict undergoes World Shifts, drastically altering gameplay dynamics with both beneficial and detrimental impacts. For instance, heroes might not require Favor points to be deployed, or you could instantly construct a Titan Gate at the onset of the game, but this might slow down your villagers in gathering resources. Additionally, armies can be immediately seized from the battlefield, however, they remain frozen until specific conditions are met, such as amassing 5000 units of a particular resource in storage.

As you engage in gameplay, you’ll simultaneously accumulate various bonuses that enable you to select up to three additional traits for your troops. You might fancy soldiers being more effective at inflicting damage, or perhaps you’d rather have Mythical units boasting enhanced health – both possibilities and numerous others are accessible as you advance across the diverse missions.

Instead of finding them insignificant or irrelevant, I discovered that altering my strategies during certain battles became necessary, even incorporating less frequently used units and divine pairings in the process.

Xbox and PC strategy game Age of Mythology: Retold just got even better thanks to a free new gameplay mode — but don't make this one mistake

arena_of_the_gods_is_an_amazing_game, but it’s crucial not to commit one vital error: Avoid reducing the game’s difficulty. Although you might not be an expert in real-time strategy games, Arena of the Gods won’t test your skills much below the “Hard” level. In fact, it starts at Hard by default, so just leave it as is (or increase it if you dare) and you’ll have a fantastic gaming experience.

All in all, it’s been delightful to have a reason to immerse myself further into the world of wielding divine powers and summoning legendary forces in Age of Mythology: Retold, a game that I was already quite fond of. To be honest, Arena of the Gods could have made for an appealing small expansion pack if it were a paid DLC. But as a free bonus, it’s simply outstanding.

I’m thrilled that World’s Edge and Xbox are backing the game so well, and I can’t wait to dive deeper into the game when the Chinese faction debuts. Right now, it’s set to roll out later this year, but with just a few weeks left in 2024, we’ll have to keep our fingers crossed and see how everything unfolds.

The divine battleground known as “Arena of the Gods” has been released in the updated version of Age of Mythology: Retold. This update is now accessible on Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC platforms. Similar to other Xbox first-party games, it can be found within the subscription services of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for console users and PC Game Pass for PC gamers.

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2024-11-09 14:09