Age of Mythology Retold: Immortal Pillars DLC out now!

Published by Hellenic Moon on March 9, 2025March 9, 2025

Age of Mythology: Retold, the modern remaster of the classic real-time strategy game, has recently expanded its mythological horizons with the release of the Immortal Pillars DLC. This expansion introduces the Chinese pantheon, enriching the game’s tapestry with new gods, units, and gameplay mechanics. To fully appreciate the significance of this addition, it’s essential to delve into the history of Age of Mythology and understand how Immortal Pillars enhances the Retold experience.

A Brief History of Age of Mythology

Released in 2002 by Ensemble Studios, Age of Mythology was a spin-off from the acclaimed Age of Empires series. While Age of Empires focused on historical civilizations, Age of Mythology ventured into the realm of legends, drawing inspiration from Greek, Egyptian, and Norse mythologies. Players could command armies featuring mythical creatures like minotaurs, sphinxes, and frost giants, while invoking divine powers to influence the battlefield. The game’s campaign followed Arkantos, an Atlantean admiral, on his journey through various mythological landscapes to save his homeland. We covered the release of Age of Mythology Retold back in our September blog post about it.

The game was lauded for its innovative blend of history and mythology, engaging gameplay, and rich storytelling. It sold over a million units within months of its release, cementing its status as a classic in the RTS genre. An expansion, The Titans, was released in 2003, introducing the Atlantean civilization and extending the original storyline. In 2014, Age of Mythology: Extended Edition brought the game to modern systems with enhanced graphics and features. This was followed by the Tale of the Dragon expansion in 2016, which added the Chinese pantheon but received mixed reviews due to balancing issues and bugs.

Age of Mythology: Retold

Announced in October 2022, Age of Mythology: Retold is a comprehensive remaster developed by World’s Edge in collaboration with studios like Forgotten Empires and Tantalus Media. Released on September 4, 2024, for Windows and Xbox Series X/S, and later on March 4, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Retold revitalizes the original game with modern graphics, improved animations, and a re-recorded soundtrack. The remaster also incorporates quality-of-life improvements, ensuring that both new players and long-time fans can enjoy the game seamlessly on contemporary platforms.

Immortal Pillars DLC: A New Dawn for Chinese Mythology

The Immortal Pillars DLC, released alongside the PlayStation 5 version on March 4, 2025, reintroduces the Chinese pantheon to Age of Mythology: Retold. This expansion is a significant enhancement over the previous Tale of the Dragon, addressing past criticisms and enriching the game with a more polished and immersive experience.

Major Gods and Mythological Units

Immortal Pillars introduces three major Chinese deities:

1. Shangdi: The Supreme Deity, representing the celestial authority. Players worshipping Shangdi can command powerful units like the Azure Dragon and invoke god powers that manipulate the heavens to favor their armies.
2. Nüwa: The Creator Goddess, associated with creation and fertility. Her followers can summon mythical beings such as the White Tiger and utilize god powers that enhance resource gathering and unit production.
3. Fuxi: The Great Ancestor, symbolizing humanity and innovation. Devotees of Fuxi have access to unique units like the Vermilion Bird and can employ god powers that boost technological advancements and strategic versatility.

Each major god selection profoundly influences the player’s strategy, offering distinct units, technologies, and god powers that reflect the rich tapestry of Chinese mythology.

Minor Gods and God Powers

As players advance through the ages, they can align with various minor gods, each providing unique benefits:

• Gonggong: Aligning with this water deity grants players the ability to summon floods, damaging enemy structures and units near rivers.
• Zhurong: The god of fire bestows fiery attacks upon units and allows the summoning of fire spirits to aid in combat.
• Houtu: Goddess of the earth, she enhances defensive structures and grants the ability to heal units over time.

These minor gods introduce new strategic dimensions, allowing players to tailor their gameplay to specific scenarios and opponents.

New Units and Structures

The Immortal Pillars DLC enriches the game with a variety of new units and buildings:

• Terracotta Warriors: Durable infantry units that can be mass-produced to overwhelm enemies.
• Dragon Ships: Versatile naval units capable of both ranged and melee attacks, reflecting the importance of dragons in Chinese lore.
• Pagodas: Unique structures that generate favor, the resource used to invoke god powers and train myth units, encouraging players to build and protect these sacred sites.

Immortal Pillars Campaign: The Journey of Wei Guan

The DLC features a new campaign centered on Wei Guan, a legendary hero tasked with unifying fragmented Chinese states against a looming supernatural threat. Players will navigate through historical and mythical landscapes, encountering legendary figures and creatures from Chinese folklore. The campaign offers a rich narrative experience, blending historical events with mythological elements, providing both challenge and immersion.

Visual and Audio Enhancements

Immortal Pillars leverages the capabilities of modern hardware to deliver stunning visual and auditory experiences:

• Enhanced Graphics: The DLC showcases detailed character models, intricate architecture, and lush environments that bring Chinese mythology to life.
• Dynamic Weather Effects: New weather systems, such as monsoons and seasonal changes, add realism and strategic considerations to the gameplay.
• Reimagined Soundtrack: A newly composed score featuring traditional Chinese instruments immerses players in the cultural ambiance of the setting.

Multiplayer and Cross-Platform Play

With the release of Immortal Pillars, Age of Mythology: Retold expands its multiplayer capabilities:

• Cross-Platform Play: Players on PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5 can engage in battles together, fostering a larger and more competitive player base.
• New Multiplayer Modes: The DLC introduces unique game modes inspired by Chinese mythology, such as “Celestial Trials,” where players must complete divine challenges while battling opponents.
• Enhanced Balance and Matchmaking: Immortal Pillars brings crucial balance updates to existing civilizations, ensuring a fair and engaging multiplayer experience.

Community Reception and Impact

The response to Immortal Pillars has been overwhelmingly positive, with many players praising the detailed implementation of Chinese mythology and the improvements over Tale of the Dragon. Key highlights of the reception include:

• Improved AI and Balancing: Unlike its predecessor, the Chinese faction in Immortal Pillars has been meticulously balanced, making it a viable choice in both single-player and multiplayer matches.
• Rich Campaign Storytelling: Players have lauded the engaging campaign, noting its strong narrative and unique missions that blend history with myth.
• Graphical Fidelity and Performance: The stunning visual improvements and fluid animations have been widely appreciated, making the mythological world feel more immersive than ever before.

The Future of Age of Mythology: Retold

With the success of Immortal Pillars, speculation is growing about future expansions. Potential additions could include:

• New Mythologies: Fans are eager to see other pantheons, such as Mesopotamian, Hindu, or Mesoamerican, making their way into the game.
• Expanded Campaigns: Additional story-driven content featuring legendary heroes from various cultures could further enrich the game’s lore.
• Ongoing Balancing and Updates: Regular patches and adjustments will ensure that the multiplayer experience remains fresh and competitive.

Immortal Pillars stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Age of Mythology. By thoughtfully integrating Chinese mythology, refining gameplay mechanics, and enhancing the visual and auditory experience, this DLC successfully breathes new life into the franchise. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer, Immortal Pillars offers an exciting and immersive journey into the myths and legends of ancient China, solidifying Age of Mythology: Retold as a premier real-time strategy experience in the modern era. Go to the game’s official steam page for more info.