Age of Mythology is a real-time strategy game that was released in 2002 by Ensemble Studios and Microsoft Game Studios. It is a spin-off of the popular Age of Empires series, but with a focus on ancient mythologies instead of historical civilizations. The game allows players to choose from three main cultures: the Greeks, the Egyptians, and the Norse, each with their own unique units, buildings, gods, and heroes. The game also features a single-player campaign that follows the adventures of Arkantos, an Atlantean admiral who must stop a cyclops named Gargarensis from unleashing the Titans and destroying the world.

The game was well-received by critics and fans alike, who praised its graphics, gameplay, sound, and story. It also won several awards, including the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences’ Strategy Game of the Year in 2003. The game was later expanded with two official add-ons: The Titans in 2003, which introduced a new culture (the Atlanteans) and a new campaign; and Tale of the Dragon in 2016, which added a new culture (the Chinese) and a new campaign. The game was also remastered and re-released as Age of Mythology: Extended Edition in 2014, which included improved visuals, Steam integration, and all the previous expansions.

Age of Mythology is a game that appeals to both casual and hardcore strategy gamers, as well as fans of mythology and fantasy. It offers a rich and immersive experience that combines historical accuracy with creative imagination. It is a game that has stood the test of time and remains one of the best examples of its genre.

One of the most distinctive features of Age of Mythology is the use of god powers and myth units. God powers are special abilities that can be used once per game by each god that the player worships. They can have various effects, such as summoning a meteor shower, creating a plague of locusts, or transforming units into animals. Myth units are powerful creatures that are based on the legends and folklore of each culture. They can include beasts like hydras, sphinxes, and frost giants, as well as heroes like Hercules, Perseus, and Thor. Myth units are usually stronger than regular units, but they cost more resources and favor to produce. Favor is a special resource that is generated by different means for each culture: the Greeks gain favor by praying at temples, the Egyptians by building monuments, the Norse by fighting or hunting, and the Atlanteans by controlling town centers.

Another unique aspect of Age of Mythology is the inclusion of minor gods and their technologies. Each time the player advances to a new age, they can choose one of two minor gods to worship, in addition to their major god. Each minor god grants access to two new god powers, two new myth units, and four new technologies. The technologies can improve various aspects of the player’s economy, military, or buildings. The choice of minor gods can have a significant impact on the player’s strategy and play style, as they can complement or contrast with their major god’s bonuses and abilities. For example, a Greek player who worships Zeus as their major god can choose between Athena and Hermes as their first minor god: Athena grants defensive bonuses and access to the Medusa myth unit, while Hermes grants mobility bonuses and access to the Centaur myth unit.

Age of Mythology also features a multiplayer mode that allows up to eight players to compete or cooperate online or over a local area network. The game supports several game modes, such as Supremacy (the standard mode where players must destroy all enemy units and buildings), Conquest (where players must control all settlements on the map), Deathmatch (where players start with large amounts of resources and can build quickly), Lightning (a fast-paced mode with shorter building times and cheaper units), and Scenario (where players can play custom-made maps with specific objectives). The game also has a built-in map editor that allows players to create their own scenarios and share them with others.