Brandy McPherson
Ara: History Untold Showcases New Innovations in Turn-based Strategy Gaming
It’s been just over a year since Ara: History Untold was revealed to the world at 2022’s Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase. In that time, developer Oxide Games has been diligently working on the game, incorporating valuable feedback from players through an extensive Insider Program. This week at gamescom, the team showcased some exciting new features that are set to revolutionize the turn-based strategy genre.
Building a Nation and Leading through History
Ara: History Untold is an innovative turn-based historical grand strategy game that allows players to build a nation and lead their people throughout history. Players have the freedom to explore new lands, develop arts and culture, and compete with rival leaders to prove their skills as a ruler. This type of game is commonly referred to as a “4X” game, encompassing the principles of “eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate”.
Shortcuts and Modernizing the Genre
Design Director Michelle Menard of Oxide Games shared some insightful details during a gameplay demo at gamescom. She mentioned how the experience gained from working on Civilization V at Firaxis influenced the development of Ara. The team has used this experience to prioritize certain strategy elements, deemphasize others, and introduce modernizing features to make Ara stand out.
“Rather than one unit action at a time, players tee up all their moves, end their turn, and then the actions for all are initiated simultaneously.”
One of the key innovations in Ara is the departure from the traditional one unit action at a time system. Instead, players can tee up all their moves, end their turn, and watch as the actions for all units unfold simultaneously. This change brings a new level of efficiency and strategic thinking to the gameplay experience.
Skipping the Early Game Grind
Traditionally, grand strategy games start players off with a vulnerable settler on a random patch of land, forcing them to go through the process of establishing a capital, building a farm, and so on. Ara takes a different approach by providing players with a head start on a nascent, prebuilt nation. This allows players to skip the early game grind and focus on making more interesting decisions about the direction of their nation.
A Randomized Tech Tree
Ara introduces a unique twist to the tech tree mechanic. Instead of having a predetermined research path, Oxide Games has implemented a deck of cards with three randomized research options at a time. This ensures that each playthrough offers a different experience, avoiding the tendency for players to follow a single “right way” to progress through the game. The randomized tech tree also makes it more accessible for newcomers to the genre, allowing them to easily grasp the mechanics.
A Living World
Ara utilizes the Nitrous Engine, developed by Oxide Games, to create a visually stunning and immersive world. Players can zoom in to witness the bustling activity of the game’s environment. From camels galloping through savannahs to hyenas chasing their prey, the world of Ara feels alive and dynamic. The Nitrous Engine’s capabilities allow for a more engaging and captivating gameplay experience.
An Enchanting Musical Journey
Oxide Games has also invested significant effort into crafting a captivating musical experience in Ara. The in-game music is carefully composed and designed to enhance immersion and draw players deeper into the historical narrative. Each region and era in the game has its own unique audio cues and musical elements, creating a rich and evocative atmosphere that complements the gameplay perfectly.
Looking Ahead to the Release
Ara: History Untold is set to release in 2024 on Windows PC and will be available through PC Game Pass, the Microsoft Store, and Steam. Players can already add the game to their wishlists on Steam to stay updated with the latest news and developments. As the release date approaches, more information about Ara and opportunities to play the game before launch will be shared on the official website.
Conclusion
Ara: History Untold is shaping up to be a groundbreaking addition to the turn-based strategy genre. With its innovative gameplay mechanics, advancements in the genre’s conventions, and attention to detail in creating a living world, Ara promises to provide gamers with a unique and immersive strategy gaming experience. The team at Oxide Games, with their expertise honed from working on renowned titles like Civilization V, is well positioned to deliver a game that will captivate history enthusiasts and strategy gamers alike.
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