Age of Mythology is a real-time strategy game developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Microsoft, released in November 2002 for Windows. It is the third major game in the Age of Empires universe, though it takes the series in a very different direction — abandoning historical accuracy in favour of ancient mythology.
The game was again led by Ian Fischer as lead designer, with Bruce Shelley contributing to the design, and Stephen Rippy returning as music composer. Rather than progressing through historical ages, players choose a civilization rooted in one of three ancient mythologies: Greek, Egyptian, or Norse. Each plays very differently from the others, a departure from the earlier Age of Empires games where civilizations shared most of their mechanics. As you advance through the ages, you must choose a new god to worship at each step, unlocking unique god powers, mythological creatures, and civilization bonuses depending on your choices. This system gives the game a high degree of customisation and replay value.
The mythological units are one of the game's highlights. Alongside traditional infantry, archers, and siege weapons, you can field creatures from ancient legend — Minotaurs, Anubites, frost giants, and many more. Ensemble Studios did extensive research into Greek, Egyptian, and Norse mythology to ensure the game felt cohesive and consistent, and the result is a world that feels richly imagined despite its fantastical premise. The single-player campaign follows a continuous narrative thread across all three civilizations, with in-engine cutscenes advancing a story that borrows freely from ancient myths. The missions are varied and well-paced, with a difficulty curve that works for both newcomers and experienced RTS players.
Compared to Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings, Age of Mythology made a significant technical leap by moving to a full 3D engine — the first in the series to do so. Buildings could be placed freely rather than on a strict grid, the camera could zoom out further than in most contemporary RTS games, and the game maintained smooth performance even with large numbers of units on screen. The music, again composed by Stephen Rippy, was particularly strong, with a rousing title theme that became one of the most memorable in the genre.
Age of Mythology was released in the same year as Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, and the two games were inevitably compared. Where Warcraft III moved toward RPG-style hero management and small unit counts, Age of Mythology went in the opposite direction — larger armies, more traditional RTS gameplay, and a deeper economic system. Both were excellent games that appealed to slightly different audiences.
The game was a commercial and critical success, earning strong reviews and a dedicated fanbase that has remained active for over two decades. In 2024, Microsoft released Age of Mythology: Retold on Steam, a full remaster with overhauled graphics, updated gameplay, and new content — making it easier than ever to experience this classic for the first time or revisit it after years away.
Download for PC 
