Age of Mythology: Retold - Immortal Pillars Review Summary

The Chinese civilization and new gods impress with original mechanics, but the campaign is short and only mediocre despite enjoyable moments.

Enjoyable Campaign Experience: Many reviewers find the campaign enjoyable, strong, and engaging, with fluid presentation and good overall quality. It is frequently described as fun and well-made.

Chinese Civilization Impresses: The Chinese civilization is widely regarded as interesting, successful, and likable, with fun mechanics that enhance gameplay. Its design and execution receive consistent praise.

Solid DLC Overall: The DLC is generally seen as nice, solid, and well done, with many considering it a good addition. It meets or exceeds expectations for quality.

Fun New Gods and Powers: New gods, myth units, and god powers are frequently described as fun, powerful, and featuring interesting mechanics. These additions are a highlight for many players.

Original and Interesting Mechanics: The DLC introduces many original and interesting mechanics that add depth to gameplay. Players appreciate the new strategic options and fresh experiences.

Mediocre Campaign Experience: The campaign is widely regarded as below average, forgettable, and lacking standout moments. Many reviewers describe it as mediocre or merely okay, with little that feels memorable or special.

Short Campaign Length: The campaign is repeatedly criticized for being too short, with only 9 missions or chapters. This rushed length leaves players wanting more and is seen as insufficient for the price.

Poor Voice Acting: Voice acting is frequently described as terrible, atrocious, or subpar, with some players finding it so bad it detracts from the experience. This issue is noted in both the campaign and the base game.

Weak Story And Characters: The story is often called uninteresting, predictable, and lacking the charisma of the original Age of Mythology. Characters are seen as forgettable and poorly fleshed out.

Underwhelming DLC Value: The DLC is perceived as cheaply made and not worth the price, with many feeling it is limited and nothing spectacular. Reviewers express dissatisfaction with its overall quality and content.

Campaign with missions: Many reviews mention a campaign mode with a specific number of missions, often nine. Clusters 4, 6, 8, 9, 18, and 20 provide details on the campaign structure.

Chinese faction added: Multiple reviews highlight the addition of a Chinese pantheon or faction. Clusters 1 and 2 both describe this feature with new gods, units, and mechanics.

New gods and powers: The DLC introduces new gods and god powers. Clusters 3, 13, and 27 mention these additions for multiplayer and single-player.

Chinese deities and mythology: The Chinese faction features Chinese deities and mythology. Clusters 16 and 1 highlight the inclusion of Chinese mythology with gods and units.

Myth units included: The game and DLC include myth units with unique abilities. Clusters 5 and 22 specifically mention mythical units with powers.

Solid performance in large games: Players experience solid performance even in large-scale matches, with no significant slowdowns. This positive feedback comes from Cluster 5.

Late game performance drops: As matches progress into the late game, performance starts to drop, causing lag and reduced responsiveness. This is described in Cluster 6.

Tale of the Dragon fixed: The Extended Edition resolves problems from the Tale of the Dragon expansion, improving the overall experience. This feedback is from Cluster 2.

Camera locking up: Players report the camera frequently locks up during gameplay, disrupting control and immersion. This issue appears in Cluster 1.

Slow texture loading: Textures load slowly, causing visual pop-in and delays during gameplay. This issue is noted in Cluster 4.

Worth Buying at Full Price: Many reviewers state the DLC is absolutely worth the money at full price. Positive feedback highlights overall value and satisfaction with the purchase.

Wait for a Sale: Numerous reviewers advise waiting for a discount because the DLC is overpriced at $20. They recommend buying only at 50% off or less.

Recommend for Franchise Fans: Fans of Age of Mythology highly recommend this DLC. It is considered a must-buy for those already invested in the series.

Campaign Underwhelming: The campaign is often described as pleasant but not exceptional. Some recommend skipping cutscenes or avoiding purchase if only interested in story.

Chinese Faction Fun: The new Chinese civilization is praised as extremely fun and a great addition. Unique units and interesting gameplay make the DLC worthwhile for many.

Community fair range: $20.00 - $30.00.

Game completion: 5.0h.

Story completion: 5.0h.

Mixed reports show some immediate fun from combat and new mechanics, but the DLC campaign often starts repetitive or generic and is said to improve later; multiplayer enjoyment depends on interest and future balance patches. The anchor is later campaign missions, with no precise timing reported.

Friction: Repetitive first campaign missions; Generic or boring campaign story and presentation; New gods in multiplayer reported as unbalanced; Campaign lacks historical and mythological depth for some players; Chinese faction units perceived as generic or lame by some.

Unlock drivers: Later campaign missions improve after the repetitive opening; New mechanics such as god powers, myth units, upgrades, and tech are interesting and innovative; The Chinese faction feels distinctive and adds creative units and variety; Balancing patches for new gods are considered likely; Combat system remains addictive with more balanced and dynamic tweaks.

Competitive PvP Balance Watcher: Plays PvP matches, studies build orders and meta, and gives balance feedback. Motivation: To test, master, and assess the new faction in multiplayer meta and competitive balance. Stance: buy.

Single-Player Campaign Story Seeker: Plays campaign missions and story content, often judging length, pacing, and cutscenes. Motivation: To experience and evaluate a new single-player story campaign and its value. Stance: sale.

Franchise Loyalist & Completionist: Plays PvE and long-term content, pursues achievements, and follows franchise updates. Motivation: To support the franchise, keep the game alive with content, and complete achievements. Stance: buy.

Monetization: The reviewed feedback concerns traditional expansion DLC for Age of Mythology: Retold, focusing on whether individual DLCs are worth their price and whether the Premium Edition bundle offers better value. No review describes real-money gacha, loot boxes, currency obfuscation, battle passes, paid power, or a cash shop. One review explicitly states the DLC is 'not a pay to win,' which is evidence against predatory monetization. The remaining complaints are about DLC pricing, balance, and campaign bugs, none of which are microtransaction evidence.

Comparison to Tale of the Dragon: The DLC is frequently compared to the original Age of Mythology: Tale of the Dragon expansion, often favorably. This comparison appears in multiple clusters.

Adds Chinese civilization and campaign: The DLC introduces a Chinese faction, an overhauled Chinese tech tree and pantheon, and a new campaign. It also includes Chinese localization.

Campaign is short: Several reviewers point out that the campaign is short, with some specifying it has only 9 missions. It is also noted to be shorter than the Japanese campaign and the base game's campaign.

DLC included in Premium Edition: Players note that the expansion is included with the Premium Edition of the base game. Cluster 13 also mentions the Heavenly Spear DLC being part of the Premium Edition.

Expansion for Age of Mythology Retold: The DLC is an expansion for Age of Mythology: Retold. It is also simply referred to as an expansion for Age of Mythology.