Chances are that if you are reading this, you've encountered the Age of Mythology: Retold initialization failed bug. It can be especially frustrating to not have access to the game due to an error such as this, especially if you're a fan of the original strategy game from over 20 years ago and wish to relive past glories.
As Age of Mythology: Retold is the latest in the long line of Age of Empires remasters, this bug can be an obstacle between hours of fun smashing through mythological beasts with your heroes and staring at a screen wondering what could possibly have gone wrong. While the true cause of the bug remains a mystery, there are some things you can do to try and troubleshoot the issue and get around the Age of Mythology: Retold initialization failed error.
Age of Mythology: Retold - All Gods & Their Powers, Explained
Age of Mythology: Retold allows players to work together with the Gods. Here's all of them and their powers.
Check The Age Of Mythology: Retold System Requirements
The first question you should ask yourself is if your PC can even run Age of Mythology Retold. Granted, this upgraded version of the 2002 strategy game that mixes history and fantasy should be able to run smoothly on modern PCs, with even the recommended spec requirements asking for relatively old hardware, but there may be something you've missed or are unaware are even needed to run the game.
Below are all the minimum and recommended specs, combining all the information from both the Steam and Microsoft Store entries:
|
Minimum requirements |
Recommended requirements |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Operating System |
Windows 10 (64-bit) version 18362.0 or higher |
Windows 10 (64-bit) version 18362.0 or higher |
|
Processor |
Intel i3-4130 or AMD FX 4350 at 2.4GHZ+ with 2 cores / 4 threads and AVX support |
Intel i5 or greater at 3.6GHZ or AMD equivalent with AVX support |
|
Memory |
8 GB RAM (2 GB Video Memory) |
16 GB RAM (4 GB Video Memory) |
|
Graphics |
NVIDIA Geforce GTX 645, AMD Radeon Vega 8, or Intel Iris Graphics 550 or better |
NVIDIA Geforce GTX 970 or AMD Radeon RX 570 or better |
|
DirectX |
DirectX 12 API, Hardware Feature Level 12 |
DirectX 12 API, Hardware Feature Level 12 |
|
Storage |
25 GB |
25 GB |
Make Sure Your Device Is Updated
Sometimes, the introduced error is an issue that can be easily fixed by updating Windows or your graphics card. You'd probably think that this beginner-friendly RTS game shouldn't need a driver update. Still, new visual errors can occasionally appear on older games during a particular update to your graphics card, even if it previously worked fine.
To be safe, make sure that Windows Update is enabled to run in the background in your Windows settings while also checking NVIDIA Geforce Experience or AMD Software for updates to your graphics card.
Verify The Age Of Mythology Retold Game Files
You might find that the only thing getting in your way of you assuming control of the Age of Mythology: Retold Poseidon faction is that while you were downloading the game, one of the files was missing or got corrupted.
There's no way of telling at a glance, but you can verify the game files on both the Steam and Xbox apps. Steam users can verify the game's files by right-clicking the game in your library and opening the properties window. Click Installed Files and click Verify integrity of game files to instruct your PC to check the files and redownload any that are missing or corrupted.
If you downloaded the game via the Xbox app (those using the Xbox Game Pass version will have done so), head to the Age of Mythology: Retold game page. At the top, you'll see a button with three dots. Click this and then Manage to bring up a new window. Click Files to find the Verify and Repair button, which you should tap to begin the process.
Allow Age Of Mythology: Retold Through Windows Defender Firewall
Very occasionally, you'll find that Windows Defender's Firewall interferes with the app upon opening. Hopefully, this is all that's actually standing in your way of having fun making an Age of Mythology: Retold custom game mode.
After using the start menu search bar to find the Windows Defender Firewall app, click the Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall. Next, click Browse and find the Age of Mythology Retold app in either the Steam Common files folder or the designated Xbox app install location.
Once you find it, make sure you tick both Private and Public boxes before making the changes. If you are using another Firewall, you'll need to use that app instead, following the instructions provided by your security software.
Restart Your PC
Sometimes, the best solution is the first port of call for every IT technician. If you shut down your device and switch it back on again, it can reset some settings or complete an update that may be running in the background. It is always worth trying on the off-chance that a quick reboot is all your PC needs.
If none of these methods work, your best bet is to report the issue and check the official Age of Mythology support page for updates from the developers.
Age of Mythology: Retold
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 83 /100 Critics Rec: 86%
- Released
- September 4, 2024
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Violence
- Developer(s)
- World's Edge, Forgotten Empires, Capture Age, Tantalus Media, Virtuos
- Publisher(s)
- Xbox Game Studios
- Engine
- BANG! Engine
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Age of Mythology, Age of Empires
WHERE TO PLAY
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Strategy
