Discover New Releases and DLCs Impacting RTS Gaming
The Age of Empires and Mythology series is roaring back into action in 2025 with several exciting updates.
At the forefront are the release of Age of Mythology: Retold on PS5 on March 4th alongside a new expansion, “Immortal Pillars.”
This expansion introduces the Chinese pantheon, new maps, and myth units, promising a fresh strategic experience.
Additionally, Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is set to arrive on PS5 this spring, bundled with multiple DLCs.
Age of Empires IV also gets two DSMs in 2025, starting with the spring release of “Knights of Cross and Rose.”
These updates not only signal a significant expansion of content but also highlight Microsoft’s push towards cross-platform play.
Here is what is in the article!
- “Age of Empires and Mythology series returns in 2025 with new expansions, including Age of Mythology: Retold on PS5.”
- “Expansions add Chinese pantheon, new maps, and myth units, enhancing strategic depth and cultural authenticity in gameplay.”
- “Cross-platform play unites PC, Xbox, and PS5 players, fostering a global community and seamless competition.”
- “Releases and updates aim to revitalize RTS classics, attracting both nostalgic fans and new players with modern enhancements.”
Exploring Age of Mythology: Retold’s Immortal Pillars Expansion

The Immortal Pillars expansion for Age of Mythology: Retold introduces a new pantheon of gods and legendary myth units, inspired by Chinese legends.
This expansion adds depth to the game with the summoning of powerful deities like Nüwa, Chiyou, and Nüba.
Players can control the skies with Yinglong, the flying rain dragon, and experience the unique myth unit special attacks.

The expansion’s new maps offer realistic immersion, featuring detailed terrains and tree environments.
New gameplay mechanics include re-usable god powers, allowing for multiple uses of each power and enhancing strategic play.
The wonder age reduces god power costs and cooldowns, making for epic power battles.
The scenario editor has been improved with better trigger features and XS script inclusion, making map creation more dynamic.
This expansion will enhance player engagement by offering a rich and diverse gameplay experience with new myth units and god powers, adding strategic depth to the game.
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition’s PS5 Release and DLCs

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition will soon join its counterpart on PlayStation 5.
This edition includes a wide variety of updates and new content. Upon its release, it will feature full cross-play capabilities, allowing players to engage in battles across different platforms.
This feature is crucial for uniting the Age of Empires community and enhancing player participation.
The PS5 releases of Age of Mythology: Retold and Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition will significantly impact gameplay for several reasons:
- Cross-Platform Play: This feature allows players from different platforms to compete together seamlessly, enhancing the strategic experience and fostering a more interconnected community.
- New Content: The various expansions, such as “Immortal Pillars” for Age of Mythology and new DLCs coming with the PS5 release of Age of Empires II, introduce fresh scenarios, new civilizations, and enhanced graphical models. This new content will enrich the gameplay experience and encourage players to explore more strategic and historical narratives.
- Enhanced Graphics: The ability to play in 4K resolution and the improved visual updates will provide a more immersive experience, making the game more engaging for both old and new players.
Unlocking Cross-Platform Play for RTS (Real-Time Strategy) Gamers
Cross-platform play brings RTS gamers together, bridging gaps between PC, Xbox, and PS5.
Age of Empires and Age of Mythology: Retold, which are soon to be released on PS5, will feature cross-play.
This means players on different platforms can join forces, challenge each other, and share their passion seamlessly.
Benefits of Cross-Platform Play:
- Unified Community: Cross-play unites players regardless of their chosen console, fostering a single, global battlefield where strategies and empires matter equally.
- Broader Audience: By allowing play across platforms, the community grows, attracting new players from different gaming backgrounds.
- Consistent Updates: Updates for the games will be simultaneous across all platforms, ensuring everyone experiences new content and DLCs together.
Future of RTS Gaming: Predictions Based on Recent Announcements
Recent announcements for Age of Empires and Age of Mythology have revealed exciting updates in the real-time strategy (RTS) genre.
Looking ahead, future RTS strategies may include diverse variant civilizations and new game modes tailored for shorter and repeatable experiences, as hinted by upcoming DLCs for Age of Empires IV.
These updates will introduce new units, buildings, and game modes designed to challenge players while offering fresh gameplay experiences.
The release of Knights of Cross and Rose, the first DLC in 2025 for Age of Empires IV, indicates an emphasis on historical authenticity and strategic rebalancing.
As Age of Empires and Mythology undergo significant transformations, it is clear that the future of RTS gaming is brighter than ever.
With expansions like Immortal Pillars and DLCs like Knights of Cross and Rose, Microsoft is doubling down on strategy and community engagement.
Cross-platform play ensures that every strategic move, every empire, and every player matters across the globe.
As we look forward, it’s exciting to see what other innovations await in this ever-evolving genre.