Age of Mythology Retold, the 2024 remake of the classic real-time strategy game by Forgotten Empires, is currently free to play on Steam for a limited time. This promotion allows players full access to the base game. If they enjoy it, they can purchase it at a discounted price of $14.99 to keep it after the free period ends.
This free weekend comes at an intriguing time for the game. It launched to positive reception, boasting an 89% positive rating across 10,892 Steam reviews. However, it has encountered some backlash over recent paid content. In April 2026, Forgotten Empires released DLC that many players felt included features that should’ve been part of the base game. This tension is something the studio needs to handle carefully as it works on retaining players long-term.
As of now, Age of Mythology Retold has 4,477 concurrent players on Steam, and that number is likely to rise during this free access window. Historically, free weekends can increase player counts by 5x to 10x for strategy games, giving Forgotten Empires a prime opportunity to convert new players before any upcoming content releases.
The game allows crossplay between Steam and Xbox, which opens up the pool of opponents and teammates during the trial. Forgotten Empires crafted this title as a full remake, featuring a new engine, updated visuals, and rebalanced mechanics. They kept the mythology-driven faction design that made the 2002 original a beloved classic among RTS fans.
This free trial is set against the backdrop of ongoing DLC controversy. PCGamesN’s roundup of the best free PC games in 2026 highlights how competitive the free-to-play market has become. A well-timed free weekend can be a powerful tool for a premium title looking to expand its audience beyond early adopters.
| Steam Review Score | 89% Positive |
| Total Steam Reviews | 10,892 |
| Current Steam Players | 4,477 |
| Current Sale Price | $14.99 |
| Developer | Forgotten Empires |
Despite the DLC issues, community sentiment around the base game remains strong. One Steam reviewer summed it up well: “Age of Mythology Retold returns the way a classic should — polished, confident, and clearly built with respect for what made the original special in the first place. This feels less like a simple visual [overhaul].” This kind of positive word-of-mouth can influence undecided players who are reading reviews during the free weekend.
What To Watch
- Conversion rate from the free weekend: The $14.99 price point is already reasonable for a full RTS remake. It’ll be interesting to see if this drives a noticeable sales spike, indicating how sustainable the title’s current price is without a deeper discount.
- DLC reception going forward: Forgotten Empires needs to address player concerns about paid features. The studio’s response to the backlash from April in its next content drop will be crucial for building long-term trust with the community.
- Concurrent player trajectory: If the free weekend doesn’t maintain a higher player count after it ends, this might suggest the game’s audience is plateauing. This could lead Xbox Game Studios to consider including it in Game Pass or offering steeper promotional pricing.
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is the Reviews and Guides Editor at Explosion.com. With a background in game design studies and 6 years of gaming journalism, Sarah brings technical insight to her reviews and creates comprehensive guides that help players get the most out of their games. She has reviewed over 200 titles across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo platforms. Her current obsessions include FromSoftware titles and indie roguelikes.
