As a seasoned strategist and history buff, I’ve played my fair share of 4X games, from the ancient civilizations of Sid Meier’s Civilization to the futuristic worlds of Stellaris. So, when Ara: History Untold caught my eye, I was intrigued by its unique twist on the genre. However, after diving into its world, I must admit, it left me feeling a bit overwhelmed and underwhelmed at the same time.
From day one, the “Sid Meier’s Civilization” series has been a major player in the 4X game genre. Over six primary installments and various spin-offs, Firaxis has consistently provided players an engaging journey through history. The upcoming “Sid Meier’s Civilization 7” is shaping up to be one of their most significant releases yet. It’s no wonder that other studios aspire to create a similar experience. And that’s exactly what Oxide Games have accomplished with “Ara: History Untold“.
First introduced in 2022, “Ara: History Untold” echoes the style of the famous “Sid Meier’s Civilization” series by allowing players to craft their unique historical journey. As before, you lead a civilization, navigate its progression across various epochs, and aspire to leave an indelible impact on the world. However, while this central gameplay loop can be engaging, the manner in which “Ara: History Untold” executes it falls short of expectations.
Ara: History Untold’s Gameplay Loop Can Be Thrilling
For those who have experienced Sid Meier’s Civilization, the fundamental gameplay rhythm of Ara: History Untold should be instantly familiar. The journey begins by selecting a nation among over 40 historically accurate options. Each leader comes with unique advantages and disadvantages, and you also get to choose from three distinct appearances that align with your preferred playstyle. After making your selection, you can customize the game settings to create an experience tailored to your preferences, before diving into the world of Ara: History Untold.
When I dive into the world of Ara: History Untold, I find myself starting with a humble city that’s mine to expand. I send out an explorer to scout the area, initiate construction on buildings beneficial to my city, and kick off my first round of research. Then, I click the next turn button, relax, and let time do its thing until my ongoing projects are complete. Once they are, I repeat the process all over again.
As players advance deeper into the game, they’ll meet various civilizations, tribes, and potentially harmful wildlife traversing the terrain. To endure in this realm, they should strive to maintain amicable relations with their neighbors or be ready for tough conflicts and destruction. Moreover, it’s crucial that they avoid falling behind in technological advancements; otherwise, they might cease to exist on this world permanently.
In the game Ara: History Untold, although the gameplay structure isn’t entirely new, it remains incredibly rewarding. It appears as though Oxide Games has grasped the essence of games like Sid Meier’s Civilization, so they opted to preserve rather than alter significantly. However, there are a couple of distinct features that provide a fresh perspective, albeit sometimes challenging.
Ara: History Untold Injects a Few Intriguing Mechanics Into its Cities
In the game “Ara: History Untold,” a significant shift occurs in how cities expand. Instead of allowing the city to automatically claim adjacent hexes, when a city advances in tier, players are given the option to claim a new piece of land. Each plot offers its unique advantages and disadvantages, so players must strategize carefully to provide their city with essential resources. Once they’ve claimed the land, they can then build various improvements to foster growth within their civilization.
The enhancements manifest as diverse structures, and since no builders are present, these are also the areas where players construct facilities like farms or mines. Furthermore, these buildings serve purposes beyond just offering background benefits. On the contrary, they necessitate players to manufacture various resources, reminiscent of the resource-crafting mechanics in games like the Anno series. These crafted resources can later be utilized as amenities to boost cities or needed for construction projects.
Yet, there’s no limit to what these buildings can be in terms of number, as each plot of land already has a specified amount that can be built on it. Consequently, players should aim to use their space prudently, since once the construction slots are filled, they either need to knock down some structures or hold off until the city advances again. If they aspire to create some of the game’s grand achievements, though, they will have to reserve an entire area specifically for that purpose.
Additionally, as a city grows and advances, it may occasionally unveil specialized professionals. These professionals can be assigned to specific structures, enhancing them with benefits such as increased productivity or additional food supply. While these experts don’t have many complex features, they do add an extra layer of functionality to cities, making their development more engaging.
In essence, while adding depth and dynamics to cities in Ara: History Untold can make the game more engaging, it also presents challenges due to excessive complexity. As artisans constantly produce goods and city management is ongoing, the fast-paced nature of the game can become overwhelming, especially when players manage multiple cities. Additionally, the user interface may be cumbersome at times, making it difficult to locate certain features or options, which further complicates matters. Over time, this multitude of tasks to manage might lead to player fatigue.
Ara: History Untold’s Acts and Eras are a Unique Twist
Similar to Sid Meier’s Civilization, Ara: History Untold heavily emphasizes researching new advancements. This research provides players with additional tools to enhance their civilization, and as they advance through various eras, they will uncover even more intriguing advancements. However, unlike what has been previously seen, the way these technological periods function feels remarkably distinctive.
In the game “Ara: History Untold”, players accumulate Prestige points as they construct, research, and participate in various activities. These Prestige points are collected throughout the three main acts of the game, with each civilization’s progress displayed on a scoreboard. As the acts advance, civilizations are categorized into three tiers based on their point totals. The top tier ensures safety, but if the bottom tier is not cautious by the end of an act, those nations will be eliminated. This means there is a continuous race for players to amass sufficient Prestige points or risk being left behind in the course of history.
In the point when several civilizations reach a specific advanced technological phase, the game “Ara: History Untold” initiates a countdown until the present storyline concludes. Consequently, if players find themselves far from completing the current tech tree, they have the option to leap forward if desired. This move, however, will result in forfeiting numerous bonuses. If survival necessitates this action, then it becomes a necessary choice. Fortunately, future technologies may also incorporate those benefits, but some advantages might be permanently lost. This research system offers an engaging gameplay experience, albeit it can become somewhat frustrating as players spend more time gathering prestige than shaping their historical journey.
Ara: History Untold Falls Short of Being a Genre Great
In addition to finding the UI complex and the game’s multiple systems somewhat daunting, there are several other areas where Ara: History Untold falls short. For instance, the game’s wars are relatively dull, primarily revolving around capturing or defending a single city. This is disappointing for players seeking large-scale 4X warfare, as units lack detailed 3D models and battles often consist of sending an iconic symbol to attack another, with the conflict concluding swiftly without much action taking place.
As a gamer, I’ve found that the game doesn’t provide many opportunities for diplomatic interactions, and the random quests often don’t feel particularly rewarding. Additionally, it can be unclear what aspects of the game I should prioritize. While there are certainly elements of strategy that are engaging, these issues hold the game back from truly dominating its genre. With additional DLC and updates, it might have a chance to address its weaker points. However, outside of a few unique features, it seems to be lacking something that would make it worth the cost.
Final Score: 6/10
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2024-10-01 03:34