10 Best Games Like Age of Mythology But For Mac
If you're searching for games like Age of Mythology, you're likely craving that perfect blend of real-time strategy gameplay, mythological themes, and base-building mechanics that made the original so captivating. Whether you're drawn to the strategic depth of managing resources and armies, the excitement of invoking divine powers, or the satisfaction of building civilizations from the ground up, there's a wealth of alternatives waiting to be discovered.
The RTS genre offers countless experiences that capture different aspects of what makes this type of gameplay so engaging. From historical strategy games to fantasy warfare, from base defense challenges to epic civilization-building campaigns.
Players love Age of Mythology for its satisfying loop of growing a small settlement into a mighty empire, a core appeal it shares with modern colony and management simulation games.
This curated list features titles that share core elements like resource management, tactical combat, hero units, and progression systems, ensuring you'll find your next strategic obsession.Looking for something specific?
10 Games Like Age of Mythology But For Mac
1. Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos
Warcraft 3 is arguably the closest spiritual successor to Age of Mythology, featuring the same core developer (Ensemble Studios' influence on the genre) and nearly identical gameplay structure. Like Age of Mythology, it emphasizes hero units with special abilities, smaller army sizes focused on unit quality over quantity, and a strong campaign narrative with RPG elements.
The game's fantasy setting mirrors the mythological theme perfectly, with each faction drawing from distinct fantasy archetypes (Orcs, Humans, Undead, Night Elves) much like the Greek, Egyptian, and Norse civilizations. The creeping mechanic (fighting neutral monsters for experience and items) directly parallels fighting myth units, and the upkeep system encourages the same tactical, quality-focused army composition that Age of Mythology pioneered.
The hero leveling system, powerful ultimate abilities, and relics/items create that same feeling of divine intervention and growing power that god powers provided. With excellent custom game support and a thriving modding community, Warcraft 3 offers endless replayability.
2. Age of Empires III
Age of Empires 3 comes from the same developer as Age of Mythology and shares its core DNA. The Home City shipment system directly evolved from Age of Mythology's god power concept, allowing players to call in reinforcements and bonuses during matches. This creates similar moments of strategic timing and tactical advantages.
While set in a historical colonial era rather than mythology, the game maintains the same civilization variety, age advancement system, and hero units (Explorers with special abilities). The gameplay pace, resource gathering mechanics, and base-building structure will feel immediately familiar to Age of Mythology veterans.
The card deck customization system provides the same type of strategic pre-game planning that choosing gods and god powers offered, allowing you to tailor your strategy before the match begins.
3. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
StarCraft 2 represents the pinnacle of competitive RTS gameplay, offering three radically different factions (Terran, Protoss, Zerg) that feel as distinct as Age of Mythology's civilizations. The science fiction setting provides a different flavor, but the core gameplay loop of base building, resource gathering, and tactical army composition remains familiar.
The game features hero units in campaign mode, special abilities that require careful timing (similar to god powers), and an emphasis on micro-management and tactical positioning. The campaign offers RPG-style progression between missions, allowing you to upgrade units and unlock new abilities.
With a thriving esports scene, co-op missions, and free-to-play multiplayer, StarCraft 2 provides enormous depth and longevity for strategy enthusiasts.
4. Rise of Nations
Rise of Nations brilliantly combines Age of Empires-style gameplay with Civilization-like territory control, creating a unique hybrid that appeals to Age of Mythology players. The game spans from ancient to modern times, offering the same sense of civilization progression through distinct ages.
Its attrition system (where units take damage outside your territory) encourages territorial expansion and strategic planning. The resource management is more complex than Age of Mythology but equally satisfying, with multiple resource types and trade routes to manage.
The Conquer the World campaign provides a strategic meta-game where you build your civilization across multiple battles, similar to Age of Mythology's campaign progression. With 18 civilizations, each with unique bonuses and units, there's tremendous variety in playstyles.
5. StarCraft
The original StarCraft established many conventions that Age of Mythology built upon, including three asymmetric factions, tight resource management, and tactical combat. While older, its remastered version updates the graphics while maintaining the classic gameplay.
The game's campaign missions feature varied objectives and increasing complexity, similar to Age of Mythology's mission design. Each faction feels completely distinct, requiring different strategies and playstyles, much like switching between Greek, Egyptian, and Norse civilizations.
As the game that defined competitive RTS, it offers incredible depth and a timeless gameplay experience that still feels fresh decades later.
6. Northgard
Northgard brings Viking mythology to the RTS genre with a focus on survival, resource management, and territorial expansion. The game features Norse clans with unique bonuses and abilities, directly connecting to Age of Mythology's Norse faction.
Rather than constant warfare, Northgard emphasizes careful expansion, seasonal survival, and economic development. The territory control system requires strategic planning, as you must balance military strength with civilian needs.
With single-player campaigns, competitive multiplayer, and cooperative modes, it offers variety for different play styles while maintaining deep strategic gameplay.
7. Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3
Red Alert 3 modernizes the classic formula with enhanced graphics, co-op campaign support, and even more outlandish units and abilities. The addition of the Empire of the Rising Sun faction brings three distinct playstyles, similar to Age of Mythology's civilization diversity.
Each faction's superweapons and special abilities provide those dramatic moments of power, while the rock-paper-scissors unit balance rewards tactical thinking. The game's emphasis on combined arms tactics and naval warfare adds strategic layers.
The co-op campaign design makes every mission playable with a friend, adding a social dimension that enhances the experience.
8. Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds
Galactic Battlegrounds uses the Age of Empires II engine to create a Star Wars RTS experience. Built on the same foundation as Age of Mythology, it features civilization bonuses, age advancement, and hero units drawn from Star Wars lore.
The game translates classic RTS mechanics to a sci-fi setting, with resource gathering, base-building, and army composition that feel immediately familiar. Jedi and Sith heroes function like Age of Mythology's hero units, providing powerful abilities and leading armies into battle.
For fans who love the familiar RTS gameplay but want a Star Wars setting, this game delivers exactly that combination.
9. Sid Meier's Civilization VI
Civilization VI represents the turn-based strategy alternative to Age of Mythology's real-time gameplay. While the pace is different, the core appear: building a civilization from ancient times, researching technologies, managing resources, and competing against rivals—remains similar.
The game features diverse civilizations with unique abilities and units, wonder construction, and multiple victory conditions. The religious gameplay and great person system echo Age of Mythology's emphasis on divine favor and legendary heroes.
With hundreds of hours of strategic depth, extensive mod support, and multiple expansion packs, Civilization VI offers an alternative approach to the same civilization-building fantasy.
10. Total War: Pharaoh
Total War: Pharaoh focuses on the Bronze Age collapse in the ancient Mediterranean and Near East, overlapping with Age of Mythology's Egyptian setting. The game combines turn-based campaign strategy with real-time tactical battles.
Players command ancient Egyptian, Hittite, and Canaanite factions, with authentic units and historical scenarios. The weather and environmental systems affect battles, adding tactical depth. General characters with unique traits and abilities provide hero-like gameplay.
For fans of Age of Mythology's ancient setting and Egyptian civilization, Pharaoh offers a more historically grounded but equally strategic experience with spectacular battles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of game is Age of Mythology?
Age of Mythology is a real-time strategy (RTS) game that combines base-building, resource management, and tactical combat with mythological themes. Players choose from Greek, Egyptian, or Norse civilizations, each with unique units, buildings, and mythological creatures. The game features god powers (and other games have explored this by letting you build a cult from the ground up), hero units, and myth units (creatures like Minotaurs and Cyclopes) that differentiate it from historical RTS games. It was developed by Ensemble Studios and released in 2002 as a spin-off of the Age of Empires series.
Is there a modern game like Age of Empires?
Yes, Age of Empires 4 (released in 2021) is the most modern entry in the franchise, offering updated graphics, refined mechanics, and contemporary RTS design while maintaining the classic gameplay formula. It features eight distinct civilizations, a robust competitive multiplayer scene, and regular content updates. For players seeking alternatives, Manor Lords and Northgard offer modern takes on medieval strategy with city-building elements, while games like They Are Billions and Age of Darkness: Final Stand blend traditional RTS mechanics with survival and defense gameplay.
What games are most similar to Age of Mythology?
The games most similar to Age of Mythology are Warcraft 3 (hero-focused fantasy RTS with similar structure), Age of Empires 3 (same developer, similar mechanics with Home City shipments replacing god powers), and Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends (fantasy RTS with mythological creatures and hero units). Godsworn is a modern indie title specifically inspired by Age of Mythology, featuring mythological warfare between different pantheons. The Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle Earth series also captures the hero-focused fantasy RTS gameplay with special powers similar to god abilities.
What is the best RTS game right now?
Age of Empires 4 is widely considered the best traditional RTS currently available, offering polished gameplay, active multiplayer, and regular updates. StarCraft 2 remains the premier competitive RTS with a thriving esports scene and free-to-play multiplayer. For modern innovations, Manor Lords combines city-building with tactical combat in a beautiful medieval setting, while Northgard offers accessible Viking-themed strategy. The "best" RTS depends on preferences: Age of Empires 4 for classic gameplay, StarCraft 2 for competitive play, or newer titles like Manor Lords for fresh approaches to the genre.
Do people with ADHD like strategy games?
Many people with ADHD enjoy strategy games, though experiences vary by individual. Real-time strategy games can be particularly appealing because they provide constant stimulation, immediate feedback, and require continuous decision-making, which helps maintain focus. The multitasking nature of RTS games: managing resources, building bases, and controlling armies simultaneously, can engage the ADHD brain effectively. However, some individuals may find the constant demands overwhelming. Turn-based strategy games like Civilization VI offer a different pace, allowing players to think carefully without time pressure. The key is finding the right balance of engagement and complexity that works for each person.
Can I play Age of Mythology on modern computers?
Yes, Age of Mythology: Extended Edition was released on Steam in 2014 and is fully compatible with modern operating systems including Windows 10 and 11. The Extended Edition includes enhanced graphics, improved water effects, new god powers, and all previous expansion content (The Titans). Additionally, Age of Mythology: Retold was released in 2024 as a full remaster with completely rebuilt graphics, improved AI, and modern quality-of-life features. Both versions support multiplayer, workshop mods, and contemporary display resolutions, making the game easily accessible for modern players.
About the Author
Miguel (austernotus) is a game developer and pixel artist who believes the best recommendations come from understanding a game's core systems. With a background that spans from high-level MMO PVP (2100+ in WoW) to professional SEO, his analysis goes beyond the surface to find the games you'll actually love.