Chinese Mythology has finally arrived
By Paul Hunter
It’s been more than two decades since Age of Mythology first blended strategy with mythology, giving gamers a reason to pick Greek gods over historical generals. Now, with Age of Mythology: Retold – Immortal Pillars, developer World’s Edge and publisher Xbox Game Studios revisit that formula with new ideas rooted in Chinese mythology. While Retold modernized the original game with updated visuals and streamlined systems, Immortal Pillars expands its world with fresh gods, new mechanics, and a campaign that goes beyond a simple rehash.
You step into a mythological setting where three heroes, ancient creatures, and powerful deities shape the battlefield. It’s not just a nostalgic trip back—it’s an invitation to explore a civilisation that finally gets a proper spotlight in the series. With new god powers, units, and an unusual building system tied to sacred land, this expansion gives you more than just a cosmetic change.
If you've already mastered the Greeks, Norse, or Egyptians, what will it feel like to command the might of the Chinese pantheon? Let’s dig in and find out together.
Mythology lends itself well to real-time strategy, but Immortal Pillars pushes past background flavour and delivers a focused narrative rooted in Chinese folklore. The campaign follows three central heroes whose paths converge as they face off against a grieving warrior determined to challenge the gods. His journey to reclaim his lost wife becomes the thread that ties the nine-mission arc together. It’s a personal tale set against a divine backdrop, giving you just enough motivation to move from one conflict to the next.
Each mission feels purposeful, with clear goals and escalating stakes. The story doesn’t rely on dramatic twists or deep moral struggles, but it does a solid job of providing momentum between battles. Dialogue plays out during missions and through brief cutscenes, keeping you engaged without pulling you out of the action. The pacing is brisk, never lingering too long on exposition, which works well for this kind of game.
What stood out most was how grounded the campaign felt, despite the divine powers and mythical creatures. Each scenario gives you a reason to care, even if the writing sticks to familiar structures. You won’t find groundbreaking drama here, but you will find a consistent and enjoyable story that respects the source material and gives the Chinese pantheon a strong introduction.
If you’ve spent time with Age of Mythology: Retold, you’ll feel right at home with Immortal Pillars. The expansion keeps the core loop intact—gather, build, advance, and conquer—but the Chinese pantheon introduces enough fresh mechanics to make each match feel different. You still manage resources, worship gods, and summon myth units, but the way you go about it feels more deliberate.
The favoured land system changes how you build your settlements. Structures placed near each other generate bonuses based on the gods you choose, so it pays to think carefully about city planning. I found myself laying out buildings like puzzle pieces, trying to maximize buffs without sacrificing defences. It’s a clever twist that encourages experimentation and rewards strategic placement.
Choosing between Fuxi, Nüwa, and Shennong gives each match a different flavour. Fuxi became my go-to pick thanks to his economy-based powers. I was able to drop resource spawns near key zones, giving me faster access to food and wood while others were still catching up. Nüwa and Shennong favour elemental powers and support-based tactics, offering distinct paths to victory.
Combat plays out in familiar fashion, but the new units make a strong impression. Mythical creatures like a tiger that heals allies or a sea turtle that can fight on land and water add some tactical variety. Each unit feels thoughtfully designed, not just reskinned versions of older ones. Even basic human troops look and move in ways that reflect their cultural roots.
The new gods also grant powers that shift the tide of battle. One moment I was struggling to hold a chokepoint, then suddenly Fuxi’s blessings let me flood the area with reinforcements and turn the tables. It’s satisfying without ever feeling unfair. You always know what your opponent is capable of, but you still have to adapt fast when divine powers come into play.
Skirmishes are still where the real fun lies, especially once you’ve tested each god’s playstyle. The campaign gives a strong introduction, but PvP or AI battles are where the Chinese pantheon really shines.
While Immortal Pillars sticks with the stylized look of Retold, the new Chinese faction adds a distinct visual flavour. Structures draw inspiration from traditional architecture, with curved rooftops and vibrant colour schemes that make them easy to identify in the heat of battle. The unit designs blend fantasy and folklore, and their animations look smooth during movement and combat.
Spell effects and god powers feel particularly satisfying. Watching a divine power hit the battlefield—whether it's a swarm of spirits or a celestial strike—never gets old. These effects don’t just look good, they clearly communicate their purpose, which is helpful when chaos erupts during a fight.
Performance holds up well, even with dozens of units clashing onscreen. Load times are short, menus respond quickly, and I didn’t run into any major bugs or crashes during play. Skirmishes with larger armies occasionally led to minor frame dips, but nothing that disrupted the flow of the match.
Voice acting throughout the campaign is steady and never distracting. While none of the performances stand out, they get the job done. Subtitles are easy to read, and key moments are supported by short cutscenes that explain what’s happening without dragging things out.
The soundtrack introduces new tracks that fit the expansion’s tone and setting. The music shifts subtly during battle, which keeps things moving without overpowering the action. It works best in the background—noticeable when you listen for it, but never intrusive.
UI improvements carry over from Retold, and you’ll have no trouble navigating the build menu or assigning hotkeys. Tooltips for new mechanics like favoured land are clear and informative, which is helpful when you’re still learning the ropes. Nothing feels cluttered, even when you’re juggling multiple tasks at once.
If you’re returning after a break or jumping in for the first time, the presentation makes a strong first impression.
Final Score: 8.5/10 - Great
Developer: World's Edge
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Genre: Real-Time Strategy
Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
A key was provided by the publisher.
By Paul Hunter
It’s been more than two decades since Age of Mythology first blended strategy with mythology, giving gamers a reason to pick Greek gods over historical generals. Now, with Age of Mythology: Retold – Immortal Pillars, developer World’s Edge and publisher Xbox Game Studios revisit that formula with new ideas rooted in Chinese mythology. While Retold modernized the original game with updated visuals and streamlined systems, Immortal Pillars expands its world with fresh gods, new mechanics, and a campaign that goes beyond a simple rehash.
You step into a mythological setting where three heroes, ancient creatures, and powerful deities shape the battlefield. It’s not just a nostalgic trip back—it’s an invitation to explore a civilisation that finally gets a proper spotlight in the series. With new god powers, units, and an unusual building system tied to sacred land, this expansion gives you more than just a cosmetic change.
If you've already mastered the Greeks, Norse, or Egyptians, what will it feel like to command the might of the Chinese pantheon? Let’s dig in and find out together.
Mythology lends itself well to real-time strategy, but Immortal Pillars pushes past background flavour and delivers a focused narrative rooted in Chinese folklore. The campaign follows three central heroes whose paths converge as they face off against a grieving warrior determined to challenge the gods. His journey to reclaim his lost wife becomes the thread that ties the nine-mission arc together. It’s a personal tale set against a divine backdrop, giving you just enough motivation to move from one conflict to the next.
Each mission feels purposeful, with clear goals and escalating stakes. The story doesn’t rely on dramatic twists or deep moral struggles, but it does a solid job of providing momentum between battles. Dialogue plays out during missions and through brief cutscenes, keeping you engaged without pulling you out of the action. The pacing is brisk, never lingering too long on exposition, which works well for this kind of game.
What stood out most was how grounded the campaign felt, despite the divine powers and mythical creatures. Each scenario gives you a reason to care, even if the writing sticks to familiar structures. You won’t find groundbreaking drama here, but you will find a consistent and enjoyable story that respects the source material and gives the Chinese pantheon a strong introduction.
If you’ve spent time with Age of Mythology: Retold, you’ll feel right at home with Immortal Pillars. The expansion keeps the core loop intact—gather, build, advance, and conquer—but the Chinese pantheon introduces enough fresh mechanics to make each match feel different. You still manage resources, worship gods, and summon myth units, but the way you go about it feels more deliberate.
The favoured land system changes how you build your settlements. Structures placed near each other generate bonuses based on the gods you choose, so it pays to think carefully about city planning. I found myself laying out buildings like puzzle pieces, trying to maximize buffs without sacrificing defences. It’s a clever twist that encourages experimentation and rewards strategic placement.
Choosing between Fuxi, Nüwa, and Shennong gives each match a different flavour. Fuxi became my go-to pick thanks to his economy-based powers. I was able to drop resource spawns near key zones, giving me faster access to food and wood while others were still catching up. Nüwa and Shennong favour elemental powers and support-based tactics, offering distinct paths to victory.
Combat plays out in familiar fashion, but the new units make a strong impression. Mythical creatures like a tiger that heals allies or a sea turtle that can fight on land and water add some tactical variety. Each unit feels thoughtfully designed, not just reskinned versions of older ones. Even basic human troops look and move in ways that reflect their cultural roots.
The new gods also grant powers that shift the tide of battle. One moment I was struggling to hold a chokepoint, then suddenly Fuxi’s blessings let me flood the area with reinforcements and turn the tables. It’s satisfying without ever feeling unfair. You always know what your opponent is capable of, but you still have to adapt fast when divine powers come into play.
Skirmishes are still where the real fun lies, especially once you’ve tested each god’s playstyle. The campaign gives a strong introduction, but PvP or AI battles are where the Chinese pantheon really shines.
While Immortal Pillars sticks with the stylized look of Retold, the new Chinese faction adds a distinct visual flavour. Structures draw inspiration from traditional architecture, with curved rooftops and vibrant colour schemes that make them easy to identify in the heat of battle. The unit designs blend fantasy and folklore, and their animations look smooth during movement and combat.
Spell effects and god powers feel particularly satisfying. Watching a divine power hit the battlefield—whether it's a swarm of spirits or a celestial strike—never gets old. These effects don’t just look good, they clearly communicate their purpose, which is helpful when chaos erupts during a fight.
Performance holds up well, even with dozens of units clashing onscreen. Load times are short, menus respond quickly, and I didn’t run into any major bugs or crashes during play. Skirmishes with larger armies occasionally led to minor frame dips, but nothing that disrupted the flow of the match.
Voice acting throughout the campaign is steady and never distracting. While none of the performances stand out, they get the job done. Subtitles are easy to read, and key moments are supported by short cutscenes that explain what’s happening without dragging things out.
The soundtrack introduces new tracks that fit the expansion’s tone and setting. The music shifts subtly during battle, which keeps things moving without overpowering the action. It works best in the background—noticeable when you listen for it, but never intrusive.
UI improvements carry over from Retold, and you’ll have no trouble navigating the build menu or assigning hotkeys. Tooltips for new mechanics like favoured land are clear and informative, which is helpful when you’re still learning the ropes. Nothing feels cluttered, even when you’re juggling multiple tasks at once.
If you’re returning after a break or jumping in for the first time, the presentation makes a strong first impression.
The Verdict
Immortal Pillars is a standout expansion that adds fresh depth to Age of Mythology: Retold. The new Chinese pantheon introduces unique gods and mechanics, like favoured land, that offer a fresh playstyle while maintaining the core gameplay. The campaign is brief but engaging, providing a solid narrative backdrop to test the new features. The visuals are clean, and the UI updates streamline gameplay. Whether you enjoy city-building or epic skirmishes, Immortal Pillars offers plenty to explore and is a welcome addition for fans of the franchise.Final Score: 8.5/10 - Great
Age of Mythology: Retold – Immortal Pillars details
Platform: Xbox Series X|S, PCDeveloper: World's Edge
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Genre: Real-Time Strategy
Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
A key was provided by the publisher.