Retro Replay Review
Gameplay
Age of Mythology: The Titans expands the core RTS formula with the introduction of the Atlantean civilisation, offering fresh mechanics that reshape familiar strategies. Atlantean workers automatically deposit resources as they gather, eliminating the need to return to drop-off points and allowing you to focus on expanding your empire. This streamlined resource flow accelerates build orders and encourages more aggressive map control, as villager micro becomes less of a logistical concern and more about keeping pace with enemy raids.
One of the standout features of this expansion is the hero transformation mechanic for Atlantean units. Any Atlantean human—including idle citizens—can be promoted to hero status at a cost, instantly boosting combat efficiency, hit points, and resistances. This flexibility turns every unit into a potential front-line champion, making it easier to recover from losses or to mount a surprise counterattack. You’ll find yourself weighing every decision: do you mass cheap soldiers or invest in fewer, but far more potent, heroes?
Of course, no review of The Titans would be complete without discussing the titular units. Once you’ve reached the Mythic Age and constructed a Titan Gate, you can summon a colossal Titan to the battlefield. These behemoths boast incredible steamrolling power and area-of-effect bashes that can turn the tide of sieges. Titan production is costly—both in terms of resources and time—so deploying one becomes a high-stakes gamble. Lose your Titan, and you forfeit the chance for a second, adding a thrilling risk-reward layer to late-game decisions.
Beyond the Atlanteans and Titans, existing Greek, Egyptian, and Norse players will appreciate subtle balance tweaks and new minor gods that diversify build orders. Kronos, Oranos, and Gaia grant unique god powers such as building teleportation, aura-based healing, and god power recycling, encouraging you to experiment with non-traditional playstyles. Whether you’re teleporting forward bases for surprise attacks or encircling your town with Gaia’s fertile growth, The Titans ensures that each match feels distinct and memorable.
Graphics
The Titans keeps the polished, colorful aesthetic of the original Age of Mythology while introducing subtle enhancements to units and environments. Atlantean architecture takes inspiration from classical Greek temples but adds a shimmering, otherworldly sheen that evokes an advanced civilisation lost to time. Detailed unit animations—like the heroic transformation of an Atlantean soldier—give battles a cinematic flair that stands out even in cluttered skirmishes.
Maps in The Titans feel more dynamic, heavily themed around storms, volcanic fields, and verdant landscapes wrought by Gaia’s power. Particle effects for god powers and Titan bashes pack an extra punch, with thunderous shockwaves and swirling cosmic energies filling the battlefield. While the engine remains fundamentally unchanged from the original, careful tweaking of lighting and textures ensures that both new and returning players will appreciate the expansion’s visual polish.
Summoning a Titan is a true spectacle: the ground quakes, nearby units scatter, and the camera shakes dramatically as the giant emerges. This sense of scale underscores the mythic stakes of late-game warfare. Even in large-scale battles, frame rates hold steady on modest hardware, thanks to Ensemble Studios’ optimisations. The user interface remains intuitive and responsive, making unit and power selection seamless amid the chaos of war.
Story
The New Atlantis campaign picks up ten years after the Fall of the Trident, thrusting players into a gripping narrative of political intrigue and godly machinations. You follow Kastor and his allies as they strive to rebuild the Atlantean homeland in the aftermath of civil war, only to face the looming menace of Kronos himself. With 12 missions spanning lush coastal settlements, treacherous seas, and storm-lashed islands, the campaign strikes a satisfying balance between large-scale set pieces and intimate character moments.
Dialogues are well-written and infused with dry humour, particularly in exchanges between Kastor’s witty advisors and the stoic Atlantean elite. Cutscenes blend in-engine cinematics with traditional art frames, letting the story breathe without interrupting the RTS flow. The pacing rarely stalls: each mission introduces a new twist, whether it’s an unforeseen betrayal, the revelation of a hidden Titan gate, or a desperate naval engagement against mythical sea creatures.
While longtime fans of Age of Mythology will appreciate callbacks to the original campaign’s events and lore, newcomers can easily follow the plot thanks to clear objectives and in-game journals. By weaving personal stakes with cosmic threats, The New Atlantis manages to evoke the grandeur of Greek myths while delivering intimate human drama. The final confrontations against Kronos feel both epic in scale and emotionally resonant, leaving players with a genuine sense of closure and accomplishment.
Overall Experience
Age of Mythology: The Titans is a masterclass in expansion design, adding layers of depth without overhauling the core experience. The Atlanteans feel like a fully realised fourth civilisation rather than a half-baked add-on, and their unique mechanics breathe new life into both campaign and multiplayer modes. Whether you’re experimenting with hero-centric armies or unleashing a rampaging Titan on an unsuspecting opponent, there’s always a fresh strategy to explore.
Replayability is exceptionally high. The new campaign alone offers around 10–12 hours of engaging content, but skirmish and multiplayer matches shine brightest. With Atlantean god combinations, Titan timing plays, and map variety, no two games feel identical. The community remains active, with custom scenarios, mods, and maps continually extending the game’s lifespan.
Ultimately, The Titans is more than just an expansion—it’s a celebration of the mythic setting that made Age of Mythology a classic. Fans of the original will rejoice at the deeper strategic options, while newcomers will find a robust, feature-rich package that stands proudly beside today’s best RTS titles. If you’re looking for a blend of mythic spectacle, tight gameplay, and a story that grips you from start to finish, this expansion is well worth the investment.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.