Review of Ara: History Untold.

Initial release date: 2024

Platform: Microsoft Windows

Genres: Turn-based strategy, Simulation video game, Strategy

Developers: Oxide Games, Oxide Interactive LLC

Publisher: Xbox Game Studios

Engine: Nitrous engine

Mode(s): Single-player, multiplayer

Game development follows a digressional pattern. New titles frequently follow the formulas set by popular works before introducing their own distinct variations. Decades ago, Galaga iterated on Galaxian, which was based on Space Invaders. Concepts originate, evolve, and occasionally vanish, creating a complex tapestry of gaming history.

Given that Oxide Games is home to several former Firaxis leaders, it’s hardly surprise that Ara: History Untold shares several key parallels with the Civilization series. However, there are a number of noticeable modifications that take the turn-based game in a radical new direction. It will be fascinating to watch if these innovative design choices appear in future 4X games.

World-Class Cast

Before beginning the single-player game, you’ll choose a principle from among 36 possible dignitaries, each with their own set of unique benefits. Beyond the regular rulers like Elizabeth I, Itzcoatl, and Julius Caesar, Ara allows you to play as notables such as Nobel Prize-winning pathologist Howard Florey or political leader Wilma Mankiller, the Cherokee Nation’s first female Principal Chief.

Starting with just a town and a solitary scouting team, you’ll eventually push back against the fog of war that obscures the edges of a procedurally created landscape. However, unlike Civ’s squares and hexes, History Untold’s terrain is separated into organically shaped areas. This variation permits provinces to include up to five sub-regions with variable amounts of natural resources, resulting in a realistic range in land values.

Higher-level requirements

As you shepherd your society from the hunter-gatherer era to the late technology age, each in-game step becomes progressively complex, as it should in any credible 4X game. As you develop an interactive version of Maslow’s hierarchy of requirements, you will initially struggle to provide nourishment and shelter for your growing population. Soon, enjoyment and recognition enter the picture as you work to create Triumphs (like Civ’s Wonders) for the rest of the world to marvel at. Like Civ, I find it fascinating to see this time-lapse account of human history, even if it means Itzcoatl finds Greek ancient Greek architecture.

Initially, moving scouts around to acquire resources and combat wild animals is not too difficult. And you might believe that being a monarch is a lucrative job. However, you will soon be in charge of guiding your culture’s technological trajectory, as well as extending your empire and managing domestic and international affairs. One aspect of Ara that I love is how the game challenges you to accept responsibility for your actions. Conquer a humble underdog, and other cultures will look at you suspiciously. Diplomacy, on the other hand, can be rewarded in the late game by having other cultures share some of their own developments.

Sweet Equifinality

One of Ara’s most notable departures from convention is the inclusion of Prestige, which is utilized to determine victory throughout three distinct epochs. Prestige is expected to be achieved through industrial, military, medical, or scientific triumphs, as well as cultural, governmental, and religious achievements. However, it can also be forfeited for unethical behavior, punishing despotic leaders who try to muscle their way through a campaign. By spreading the winning conditions across seven different factors, you’ll be forced to react to the world around you rather of simply pursuing your own goals. Most interestingly, the leader with the least Prestige is banished from the game.

History Untold is undeniably a visually spectacular experience that departs from the board game-like perspective found in most 4X games. Zoom in on a location, and you’ll see your republic’s population come to life thanks to Oxide Game’s unique engine. Tiny spearmen, charioteers, and cavalry are meticulously animated as they fight in real-time combat. I wish there was more architectural variety in homes and farms. There’s a lot of graphical richness, but settlements and ranches don’t alter dramatically over time. While Ara may scale the visual details down for smaller machines, expect it to put your GPU through its paces by the third act. My computer fans were working overtime.

The Misfortune of Modernity

However, as much as I admired History Untold’s drive to establish a better civilization, a number of factors limited its potential. While fighting looks fantastic, it is primarily an automated process, with metrics compared and casualties recorded. There is some influence over unit formations, but underdog victories are virtually non-existent. The user interface of History Untold is a little cluttered at first, but it becomes useful as you figure out where everything is. My only wish is that the in-game encarta could indicate where components are located on the interface. Manufacturing management is one of Ara’s most complex features, with economic tracking coming in a close second.

Without a doubt, Ara: History Untold studied Civilization and created a world simulation that includes a number of innovative advances. Prestige is probably the most notable improvement, adding intricacy to leadership responsibilities. However, History Untold’s third act is currently bogged down in complications, undercutting an otherwise exciting journey to become a worldwide superpower.

Ara: History Untold was played on PC using a review code given by the publisher.

Rating Overview

Gameplay: 85%

Controls: 80%

Aesthetics: 90%

Content: 85%

Accessibility: 80%

Value: 85%

Overall Rating: 84%

VERY GOOD!

Summary: “Ara: History Untold” transports players to a rich, immersive universe that combines history with strategic gameplay. The game’s mechanics are exceptional, offering a captivating blend of resource management and tactical decision-making that keeps players engaged throughout their campaigns. The controls are intuitive, allowing both seasoned strategy veterans and newbies to handle the game’s complexities with relative ease.