Age of Mythology EX: Tale of the Dragon is a real-time strategy expansion that introduces the Chinese civilization to the classic mythology-themed RTS formula. Players manage resources, construct bases, train armies, and call upon divine powers in battles that blend historical Chinese elements with mythical creatures and abilities. The expansion centers on a new playable faction complete with its own major gods, myth units, and a dedicated singleplayer campaign.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around gathering food, wood, gold, and favor to build settlements, advance through ages, and field armies of human soldiers supported by powerful myth units. The Chinese faction emphasizes tactical flexibility through the War Academy for specialized training, morale effects from generals, and units designed with surprise counters to enemy compositions. Monks serve as hero units capable of converting foes and restoring health to allies, adding a layer of control during engagements.
God powers provide dramatic battlefield shifts, such as summoning a tsunami to flood enemy positions or triggering an inferno to scorch structures. Myth units include the Jiangshi that drains vitality from opponents, the amphibious War Salamander for versatile assaults, the Terracotta Warrior that releases damaging dust on death, and the Azure Dragon that breathes fire across the field. Construction and economy receive boosts from the three major gods, with Fu Xi accelerating builds, Nü Wa enhancing villager output, and Shennong improving siege options when conversion attempts fail.
Game Modes
The expansion delivers a fully voice-acted campaign where players guide General Jiao-Long through a story of restoring balance after Yin and Yang are shattered. Nine linked scenarios guide the narrative across varied objectives that incorporate the new Chinese mechanics and units.
Skirmish and multiplayer matches gain support through a selection of fresh maps, including Basin, Deep Jungle, Old Atlantis, Open Fields, Regicide, Silk Road, and Yellow River. A new giant map size expands options for larger-scale confrontations on both legacy and added layouts. These additions allow players to test the Chinese civilization against existing factions in open-ended or competitive settings.
New Content and Features
Twelve gods drawn from the Chinese pantheon expand the divine roster, with the Three Sovereigns serving as the primary choices. Additional god powers such as Geyser and Barrage complement the larger effects, while Dilong the Earth Dragon offers a unique summon that disrupts terrain. The new maps introduce diverse terrain challenges that reward adaptive strategies and favor the Chinese emphasis on mobility and conversion tactics.
Units and powers integrate directly with the existing game systems, allowing seamless mixing of Chinese forces with other civilizations in custom matches. The campaign stands apart as the first fully voiced experience added in this expansion, focusing on empire-wide conflict and restoration themes.
Is It Worth Playing?
This expansion appeals most to fans of real-time strategy games who enjoy mythology crossovers and faction variety. The Chinese civilization stands out for its distinct playstyle centered on generals, monks, and versatile myth units, making skirmish sessions and the campaign engaging for those seeking new tactical options. Reception highlights the strength of the added faction in singleplayer and custom games, though some note inconsistencies in overall execution compared to the base experience. Availability requires the Age of Mythology Extended Edition, and the content remains accessible for players interested in the 2016 addition without further seasonal updates.
