# Age of Mythology: Retold – A Triumphant Comeback Overshadowed by Contentious DLC
The eagerly awaited remake of the iconic real-time strategy title, **Age of Mythology: Retold**, has received extensive praise from both critics and fans. Originally launched in 2002, the game has been meticulously updated with modern visuals, refined mechanics, and a variety of new additions that successfully embrace the spirit of the classic while ushering it into the contemporary landscape. Consequently, the remake has achieved a remarkable 92% positive rating on Steam, reflecting its quality and the nostalgia it invokes in long-time supporters.
Nonetheless, not every aspect of this release has earned unanimous approval. The first downloadable content (DLC) presented at launch, the **Legacy Deity Portrait Pack**, has ignited considerable controversy and pushback from the community. Priced at six euros, this DLC allows players to swap the newly crafted deity portraits in the game for the original designs from 2002. While this may appear to be a minor add-on, it has sparked a vigorous discussion about the ethics of charging for nostalgic content.
## The DLC Controversy: “Outright Cash Grab”
Many have branded the **Legacy Deity Portrait Pack** as an overt attempt to exploit players’ nostalgia, with fans expressing their discontent over being charged for what they believe should have been included in the base game. The new portraits that were developed for the remake received mixed reactions during production, prompting the developers to revise them before the launch. Despite these revisions, a significant segment of the fanbase continues to favor the original portraits, which are now available only through a paid option.
The choice to impose a charge for these legacy portraits has drawn widespread condemnation, as evidenced by the fact that 84% of the Steam reviews for the DLC are negative. Numerous players feel that the portraits ought to be a complimentary feature within the game, rather than an extra cost. This viewpoint is prevalent in many reviews, where users have expressed their disappointment and resentment:
> “I got it for free (with the Premium edition), but so should everyone else. These are 20-year-old images, and the players who are interested in the old images are the same players who have supported the series for the last 20 years.”
> — Chong, Steam User
> “This should be an option in the settings menu, not DLC. You shouldn’t have to pay for a portrait. Pure money-making with people who feel nostalgia for the original.”
> — stardawg, Steam User
> “The new portraits look like generic fantasy characters from a MOBA. I really don’t understand what they were thinking. But then to have the audacity to sell us the old portraits that look really good is a whole other story. The remake is great […] but this is just shoddy.”
> — Eddie Morphling, Steam User
> “Super Ultra Horse Armor 2: Arcade Edition.”
> — Cyber Mancer, Steam User
These reviews emphasize a prevailing sentiment: the belief that the original portraits should have been a part of the game from the outset, not something to be sold separately. The analogy to the notorious “horse armor” DLC from The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, which became a representation of unnecessary microtransactions, further highlights the community’s dissatisfaction.
## The Premium Edition Debate
Compounding the outrage is the circumstance that the **Legacy Deity Portrait Pack** is included at no extra charge with the game’s Premium Edition, which is priced 20 euros higher than the standard version. This Premium Edition also incorporates a new deity and two yet-to-be-announced expansions for the remake. While some players value the added content, others perceive the packaging of the legacy portraits with the pricier edition as a cynical strategy to extract more funds from loyal fans.
## A Missed Opportunity?
The uproar surrounding the **Legacy Deity Portrait Pack** prompts crucial inquiries about the balance between monetization and fan appreciation in the gaming sector. Although it is reasonable for developers and publishers to seek revenue, especially for a remake that may have necessitated considerable resources, the decision to charge for nostalgic elements that many players believe should be inherently included has evidently struck a nerve.
In an age where numerous remakes and remasters provide the ability to toggle between classic and contemporary visuals or features within a straightforward menu, the method employed by Age of Mythology: Retold feels misaligned with industry standards. By imposing a fee for the original portraits, the developers might have unintentionally distanced a segment of their audience, overshadowing what is otherwise a well-received and accomplished remake.
## Conclusion: A Tale of Two Reception
Age of Mythology: Retold serves as a testament to the lasting allure of the original title, with its high-quality remake reinvigorating a cherished classic. However, the controversy surrounding the **Legacy Deity Portrait Pack** has clouded this otherwise triumphant return.