Ara: History Untolds Prestige System Makes the Sky the Limit

Ara: History Untolds Prestige System Makes the Sky the Limit

Key Takeaways

  • Ara: History Untold’s Prestige system offers diverse paths to victory, catering to different playstyles.
  • Players can achieve Prestige through military conquest, technological advancement, or other means.
  • The system’s flexibility reduces limits in gameplay, allowing for strategic changes and exploration.

As an experienced gamer with countless hours spent in various 4X games, I can confidently say that Ara: History Untold has caught my attention like no other. The Prestige system in this game is a breath of fresh air, offering a level of freedom and flexibility that’s been missing in the genre for far too long.


The game “Ara: History Untold” is designed to provide players with numerous distinctive elements, yet it appears that the primary concern for most players is learning how to emerge victorious above all else. Interestingly enough, the winning conditions in “Ara: History Untold” are neatly encapsulated within its exceptional Prestige system, which happens to be one of its standout features.

In an exclusive conversation with Game Rant, Gabriela Leskur (narrative and experience lead), Dan Baker (principal graphics architect), and Matt Turnbull (executive producer at Xbox Game Studios) discussed the intricacies of the Prestige system in Ara: History Untold. During the interview, they shared valuable insights into how this system encourages players to tailor their gaming experience according to their preferences.

Ara: History Untold’s Prestige System Honors Diverse Playstyles

One remarkable aspect of the game “Ara: History Untold” is its Prestige system, which sets it apart from other 4X games by offering players an exceptional degree of autonomy. Essentially, this system determines how players emerge victorious in the game, much like the Victory Points system in the board game “Settlers of Catan“. When queried about the Prestige system in “Ara: History Untold“, Leskur explained it in this manner.

“What’s intriguing about Ara‘s Prestige system is that it doesn’t limit players to one playstyle. Instead, it allows for Prestige to be earned across multiple domains. This mirrors the real-world phenomenon where long-lasting nations don’t necessarily specialize in one area of excellence; they can shift and adapt their prestige over time, becoming renowned for different achievements as eras progress.

The unique Prestige system in “Ara: History Untold” offers multiple avenues for players to engage with the game, catering to a wide range of playstyles. This diversity could potentially lead to a diverse player base as well. More strategic or experienced players might favor winning through military conquest, while less experienced or more casual players may prefer technological progression or exploration. It’s not uncommon for 4X games to lack the versatility to attract various types of players, which makes “Ara: History Untold” stand out due to its Prestige system being one of its key features. As Baker noted, this is a significant aspect of the game.

In a 4X game, there’s a risk of finding yourself in a predicament where, while playing, an unexpected ambush occurs, such as losing a battle unaware it was taking place, or facing opposition due to a disliked feature like your character’s green skin. To prevent such situations that have clear-cut outcomes, we aimed to design game mechanics without strict binary conditions.

4X games often frustrate players with strict binary conditions, but Ara’s Prestige system breaks these boundaries by presenting numerous paths for players to explore. This versatile system is divided into several areas – Military, Commerce, Government, Religion, Culture, Science, Industry, and Impact – each with a unique focus. For example, Culture concentrates on crafting artistic and literary masterpieces, whereas Science focuses on technological research. The beauty of Ara’s Prestige system becomes evident when a player can triumph by accumulating more wealth than the one who has conquered other nations through military might. To sum up, Turnbull expressed the developer’s enthusiasm for the freedom provided by Ara’s Prestige system.

Playing one character and one country throughout the game doesn’t limit your strategies. With the mix of actions structures and various leader traits, you have the freedom to adapt and evolve your approach. The Prestige system allows for continuous exploration, while the ability to switch up gameplay keeps things exciting as you discover new ways to enjoy the game.

Ara: History Untold‘s distinctive aspect lies in its Prestige system, making it a game that caters to various gaming styles, ensuring an enjoyable experience for a wide range of players.

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2024-09-20 14:23