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Poseidon: Master of Atlantis

Last updated: January 13, 2026

Overview

Poseidon: Master of Atlantis is the official expansion pack for Zeus: Master of Olympus, developed by Impressions Games and published by Sierra Entertainment in 20011. The expansion invites players to “Return to ancient Greece and rule Atlantis as described by Plato!”2, adding the legendary civilization of Atlantis to the mythological world established in the base game. As an isometric strategy game with elements of business simulation and sandbox gameplay, Poseidon continues the tradition of Impressions’ acclaimed city-building series that began with the Caesar games3.

The expansion centers on the mythological origins of Atlantis, drawing from Plato’s classical writings about the legendary island civilization4. Players design villages in a setting of classic Greek mythology and manage them through day-to-day events and divine interventions as they develop into large, powerful cities3. The game allows players to build great empires, dabble in combat, trade, and politics, and keep monsters like Medusa at bay with the help of great heroes from mythology5.

Poseidon received generally favorable reviews upon release, with critics praising its solid gameplay mechanics inherited from the base game while noting that it focused more on aesthetic improvements than revolutionary new features4. The expansion adds the Atlantis civilization to Zeus with its own unique gods, monuments, heroes, monsters, industries and more1, offering players a fresh setting while maintaining the engaging city-building formula that made the original game successful.

Story Summary

The narrative of Poseidon: Master of Atlantis draws directly from Greek mythology and Plato’s classical writings about the legendary sunken civilization. According to the game’s mythological framework, after overthrowing the powers that be, Zeus, Hades and Poseidon divided the world among themselves4. Poseidon received dominion over the seas, and eventually the ocean deity stumbled upon a beautiful island inhabited by the even more beautiful Cleito4. This island would become the legendary Atlantis, the setting for the expansion’s adventures.

Players take on the role of a city-builder tasked with developing Atlantean civilization from its mythological beginnings. Starting with a plot of land by the shores of the wine-dark Aegean, players must create a thriving city-state of their own design7. The expansion features more than 45 episodes spread across six epic adventures, allowing players to experience the full arc of Atlantean civilization2.

The adventures span far beyond the Mediterranean, with missions set across Europe, Africa, Asia, and even the Americas3. This geographical scope reflects the legendary power and reach of Atlantis as described in classical sources. Throughout these adventures, players interact with Greek mythological figures including Poseidon, Artemis, Theseus, and Atalanta8, managing divine interventions while building their civilization.

The main narrative challenge in the Birth of Atlantis adventure involves effectively managing housing and industry setup as the civilization grows8. Atlantis has access to just about every resource imaginable8, but this abundance creates its own challenges in terms of organization and city planning that players must overcome to succeed.

Gameplay

Interface and Controls

Poseidon: Master of Atlantis utilizes an isometric view perspective consistent with the Zeus base game and other titles in Impressions’ city-building series9. The game is controlled primarily through mouse input3, with keyboard support for various functions1. Players interact with the game world through a point-and-click interface, placing buildings, managing resources, and directing their city’s development.

The game features both auto-save and manual save functionality10, allowing players to manage their progress throughout lengthy city-building campaigns. The interface displays at resolutions of 800×600 or 1024×76810, providing clear visibility of the detailed 2D isometric graphics.

Structure and Progression

The expansion offers substantial content through its adventure-based structure. Poseidon features 25 new episodes organized into 4 new adventures4, adding significant gameplay time to the Zeus experience. Combined with the base game content, players have access to 65 episodes spanning both Ancient Greece and Atlantis civilizations5.

The adventures progress through distinct episodes, each with specific goals and challenges:

  • Episode 1-7 of Birth of Atlantis: Establishes the foundations of Atlantean civilization with city-building and resource management challenges8
  • Additional Adventures: Span multiple continents and historical periods of Atlantean development
  • Sandbox Mode: Allows free-form city building without specific objectives9

Each episode presents players with unique challenges and goals, from managing population and housing to conducting military conquests and establishing trade relationships8. The difficulty can be adjusted through multiple levels, making the game accessible to newcomers while offering challenge for experienced players9.

Puzzles and Mechanics

The core gameplay revolves around city-building and resource management. Players must balance various interconnected systems to create a thriving Atlantean city. Key mechanics include:

Resource Management: Poseidon introduces new resources unique to Atlantis, including orichalc (a unique Atlantean mineral) and black marble11. These materials are used in construction and monument building, adding new strategic considerations to resource gathering and allocation.

Building and Infrastructure: Players place various structures including housing, industry, and public buildings. New additions include the Hippodrome for racing and betting entertainment11 and Bibliothekes (libraries) that replace some recreational activities with scientific pursuits11.

Divine Intervention: Gods from the Greek pantheon play active roles in city management. Players must manage relationships with deities who can provide blessings or create disasters for their cities3.

Heroes and Monsters: New heroes such as Bellerophon and Atalanta11 can be summoned to defend against mythological monsters. Combat and military elements allow players to protect their cities and conduct conquests.

Trade and Politics: An elaborate trade system connects cities across the game world, requiring diplomatic management with allied and rival cities5.

The game also includes an Adventure Editor that allows players to design their own myths and scenarios2, significantly extending replayability beyond the included content.

Reception

Contemporary Reviews

Poseidon: Master of Atlantis received generally positive reviews upon release, with critics praising its solid gameplay while noting its conservative approach to expansion content. GameVortex awarded the game 85%, with reviewer Phil Bordelon noting that “Poseidon keeps up the solid gameplay of the original release of Zeus”11. The review praised the expansion for maintaining quality while adding meaningful new content.

GameFabrique gave the expansion 8/10, though reviewer reggie observed that “Poseidon is much more about prettying the game up than it is about changing gameplay or adding new features”4. This sentiment was echoed across multiple reviews, suggesting the expansion was evolutionary rather than revolutionary.

The base game Zeus: Master of Olympus, which Poseidon expanded, received exceptional critical acclaim. IGN awarded Zeus 9.1/10, with Steve Butts noting he “had to tear [himself] away from [the game] to write the review”9. GameSpot gave Zeus 8.6/10, calling it “a major improvement for Impressions’ line of city-building games, and it’s a significant advancement for city-building games in general”12.

Additional reviews for Zeus included:

  • CNET Gamecenter: 9/109
  • Eurogamer: 9/10 (Ewan Macdonald, December 21, 2000)9
  • Game Informer: 8.5/109
  • GameSpy: 90%9
  • 4Players: 85%9

NextGen’s Jason Samuel summarized the appeal: “Overall, it’s simpler, the gameplay is finely tuned, and most of all, it’s fun”9. GamePro’s Brian Wright noted that “With the various adventures, sandbox modes, and tons of micro-management, Zeus: Master of Olympus will keep city building fans occupied for hours, and with its simple control and multiple difficulty levels, it’s a great introduction for newcomers as well”9.

Modern Assessment

Modern retrospectives continue to hold Zeus and Poseidon in high regard. Alice Bell of Rock Paper Shotgun described the game as having “the perfect balance of beauty, difficulty, detail, and puns”9. The combined Zeus + Poseidon package maintains a 4.7/5 rating on GOG.com7, demonstrating enduring appeal among strategy gaming enthusiasts.

Aggregate Scores:

  • Metacritic (Zeus): 87/1009
  • MobyGames (Poseidon): 80%1
  • MobyGames (Acropolis compilation): 81%13
  • GOG.com: 4.7/57
  • Glitchwave: 3.48/5.014
  • Amazon Customer Reviews: 4.0/52
  • GamePressure: 8.815

The game was notably recommended by Poland’s Ministry of National Education as a teaching aid for history lessons9, demonstrating its educational value beyond pure entertainment.

Development

Origins

Poseidon: Master of Atlantis was developed as the official expansion to Zeus: Master of Olympus, itself the third title in Impressions Games’ city-building series1. The series traced its roots back to the successful Caesar games3, which established the template for historical city-building that Impressions would refine across multiple settings.

The decision to focus on Atlantis provided a natural extension of the Greek mythological setting established in Zeus. By drawing on Plato’s classical writings about the legendary civilization4, the development team could expand the game world while maintaining thematic consistency with the base game’s mythology-infused approach to ancient Greece.

Production

Development was handled by Impressions Games, the studio responsible for the original Zeus and the broader city-building series. The expansion was designed by Tony Leier1, who oversaw the creation of new content including the Atlantean civilization, unique resources, monuments, and gameplay elements.

The game’s music was composed by Henry Beckett1, who had also worked on the original Zeus alongside Keith Zizza9. The musical score maintained continuity with the base game while incorporating themes appropriate to the Atlantean setting.

Development Credits:1

  • Designer: Tony Leier
  • Composer: Henry Beckett
  • Original Zeus Designer: Chris Beatrice9
  • Additional Zeus Composer: Keith Zizza9

Technical Achievements

Poseidon utilized the same 2D isometric graphics engine as Zeus9, featuring detailed sprite-based visuals that brought the mythological world to life. The game supported resolutions up to 1024×76810, providing sharp visuals for the era.

The expansion introduced new visual elements specific to Atlantean culture, including unique monument designs and architectural styles. New building types such as the Hippodrome and Bibliothekes required fresh artwork and animations11, expanding the visual variety available to players.

Technical Specifications

Original Release:10

  • Resolution: 800×600 or 1024×768
  • Colors: 16-bit color
  • Video Memory: 2 MB minimum
  • Media: CD-ROM (4X speed minimum)

Minimum Requirements:4

  • Processor: Intel Pentium 133-166 MHz
  • RAM: 32 MB
  • Operating System: Windows 95/98/2000
  • Hard Drive Space: 650-775 MB
  • Video Card: 2 MB, 16-bit color capable

Recommended Requirements:4

  • Processor: Pentium II 266 MHz
  • RAM: 64 MB
  • Hard Drive Space: 650 MB

Modern Requirements (GOG version):7

  • Processor: 1.8 GHz
  • RAM: 2 GB (512 MB minimum, 1 GB recommended)
  • Graphics: DirectX 9.0c compatible (DirectX 7 minimum)
  • Storage: 2 GB
  • Operating System: Windows 10 (also compatible with XP, Vista, 7, 8, 11)5

Version History

VersionDatePlatformNotes
1.0June 2001WindowsInitial release16
2.1February 13, 2002WindowsBug fix patch17

Patch 2.1 Details:17 The version 2.1 patch addressed numerous gameplay issues discovered after launch:

  • Greek adventures no longer incorrectly displayed as Atlantean adventures
  • Pyramids won’t be destroyed after erasing/cancelling construction
  • Game won’t stop after erasing structures
  • Improved raw material collection by units
  • Hera quickly repels Zeus attacks as intended
  • Pyramids can be rebuilt after disaster
  • Fixed issues with fisheries points
  • Dionysus prevents riots correctly
  • Resolved army movement blockages
  • Disasters don’t always kill heroes

The patch was released in multiple regional variants including UK and US versions18, with a file size of approximately 230 KB17.

Technical Issues

The version 2.1 patch addressed several significant bugs that affected gameplay. Issues included construction problems with pyramids, game freezes when erasing structures, and problems with divine interventions not functioning correctly17. The patch also fixed issues where Greek adventures would incorrectly appear as Atlantean adventures, causing confusion about campaign progress17.

Combat mechanics received criticism in reviews as an area where the game was less polished than its city-building elements9. The army movement system could experience blockages that the patch worked to resolve17.

Easter Eggs and Trivia

  • The game was recommended by Poland’s Ministry of National Education as a teaching aid for history lessons, despite its mythological rather than strictly historical approach9
  • The game intentionally includes mythology and anachronisms rather than attempting accurate historical portrayal9
  • Swedish localization was not produced for the Poseidon expansion, unlike other language versions1
  • The game maintains a 5-star rating on GOG.com9
  • Orichalc, the unique Atlantean mineral featured in the game, comes from Plato’s description of Atlantis where it was described as a precious metal second only to gold15

International Releases

The expansion was released under various localized titles across different regions19:

  • German: Herrscher von Atlantis: Poseidon
  • Italian: Il Signore di Atlantide: Poseidon
  • Spanish: Señor de la Atlántida: Poseidon
  • Portuguese: O Senhor da Atlântida: Possêidon
  • Polish: Posejdon: Bóg Atlantydy
  • English alternate titles: Master of Atlantis: Poseidon, God of Atlantis: Poseidon, Official Master of Olympus: Zeus Expansion

Legacy

Sales and Commercial Impact

While specific sales figures are not available in the research data, the commercial success of Zeus: Master of Olympus and its Poseidon expansion is evidenced by their continued availability and popularity. The games were nominated for PC Strategy Game of the Year at the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences 4th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards9.

The original retail price for Poseidon was $19.99 USD16, positioning it as a moderately-priced expansion. The game’s enduring popularity is demonstrated by its continued availability on digital platforms decades after release.

Collections

The most notable compilation featuring Poseidon is the Acropolis collection, which bundles Zeus: Master of Olympus with the Poseidon expansion13. This compilation was published by both Sierra On-Line and Activision Publishing13, making the complete experience available as a single package.

The Zeus + Poseidon bundle is currently available through GOG.com7, where it was added to the catalog on May 10, 201220. The digital release has helped preserve the game for modern audiences who may not have access to original physical copies.

Fan Projects

The Adventure Editor included with Poseidon allows players to design their own myths and scenarios2, fostering community content creation. This editor enables players to create custom adventures extending the game’s content beyond the official episodes.

  • Official Manual: Included with game, providing gameplay instructions and background information
  • In-game Help System: Provides contextual guidance for city-building mechanics
  • Adventure Editor Documentation: Instructions for creating custom content2

Critical Perspective

Poseidon: Master of Atlantis represents an important entry in the lineage of city-building strategy games, continuing the design philosophy that Impressions Games refined across multiple historical settings. While the expansion was noted for being more evolutionary than revolutionary4, it successfully extended the Zeus experience with meaningful new content while maintaining the quality that made the base game successful.

The decision to base the expansion on Plato’s Atlantis rather than another historical civilization demonstrated creative ambition, allowing the development team to explore mythological themes more freely than a strictly historical setting would permit9. This approach aligned with Zeus’s embrace of Greek mythology, creating a cohesive experience that prioritized engaging gameplay over historical accuracy.

The game’s continued popularity on digital platforms decades after release speaks to its enduring appeal. Modern critics like Alice Bell have praised its “perfect balance of beauty, difficulty, detail, and puns”9, suggesting that the core design remains compelling even as technology has advanced far beyond the game’s original specifications.

Within the broader context of strategy gaming, Zeus and Poseidon represent a refined iteration of the city-building formula that Impressions developed across multiple titles. The series would continue influencing the genre, establishing design conventions that subsequent city-builders would follow or react against.

Downloads

Purchase / Digital Stores

Download / Preservation

Patches

Series Continuity

Poseidon: Master of Atlantis is part of Impressions Games’ broader city-building series, which began with the Caesar games set in ancient Rome before expanding to other historical and mythological settings. The expansion builds directly upon Zeus: Master of Olympus, sharing its engine, core mechanics, and Greek mythological setting while adding the Atlantean civilization as a distinct new playable culture.

The game requires Zeus: Master of Olympus to play18, functioning as a true expansion rather than a standalone title. This dependency means that Poseidon players have access to both the original Greek adventures and the new Atlantean content, creating a comprehensive mythological city-building experience.

Within the City Building Series, Zeus and Poseidon followed the Pharaoh and Cleopatra games set in ancient Egypt, and preceded Emperor: Rise of the Middle Kingdom set in China. Each entry maintained the core city-building gameplay while adapting it to different historical or mythological contexts.

References

Footnotes

  1. MobyGames – Poseidon: Zeus Official Expansion – developer, publisher, designer, composer, platform, rating, technical information ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12

  2. Amazon – Zeus Expansion Poseidon – product description, release date, episode count, Adventure Editor feature ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6

  3. eBay Product Listing – developer, publisher, gameplay description, geographical scope, ESRB rating ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6

  4. GameFabrique – Poseidon: Zeus Official Expansion – mythological background, review score, technical specifications, episode count ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10

  5. FreeGOGPCGames – gameplay features, episode count, system requirements ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  6. eBay Product Listing – publisher confirmation, geographical scope ↩

  7. GOG – Zeus + Poseidon – rating, system requirements, release date, description ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6

  8. Tripod Walkthrough – Birth of Atlantis – episode details, resource availability, gameplay challenges, mythological figures ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  9. Wikipedia – Poseidon: Master of Atlantis – review scores, awards, trivia, development notes, critic quotes, release dates ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12 ↩13 ↩14 ↩15 ↩16 ↩17 ↩18 ↩19 ↩20 ↩21 ↩22 ↩23 ↩24 ↩25

  10. MobyGames – Technical Specifications – resolution, input devices, ESRB rating, technical requirements ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  11. GameVortex – Poseidon Review – review score, new features, resources, heroes, buildings ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6

  12. GameSpot – Zeus: Master of Olympus – review quote, publisher information ↩

  13. MobyGames – Acropolis – compilation contents, publishers, rating ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  14. Glitchwave – Poseidon – community rating, platform, media format ↩

  15. GamePressure – Poseidon – rating, orichalc resource, episode count, system requirements ↩ ↩2

  16. MobyGames – Release Information – release dates by region, retail price ↩ ↩2

  17. GamePressure – Patch 2.1 – patch notes, bug fixes, release date ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7

  18. MyAbandonware – Poseidon – release regions, patch versions, expansion requirement ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  19. MobyGames – Search Results – alternate international titles ↩

  20. GOGDB – Zeus + Poseidon – GOG release date, download size, version information ↩

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