Ara: History Untold – A Revolutionary Approach to Grand Strategy Gaming
Ara: History Untold, an upcoming grand strategy game developed by Oxide Games, is set to revolutionize the genre with its unique approach to gameplay. While it may bear some resemblance to the popular Civilization series, Ara sets itself apart in several key ways. One of the most notable differences is its use of simultaneous turn resolution, as explained in a recent dev diary from Oxide. But perhaps the most striking distinction is the game’s map design: instead of the traditional grid or hexagon pattern seen in many strategy games, Ara features irregularly-shaped regions that mimic real-world geography.
In a recent interview with Gabriela Leskur, Ara’s narrative and experience lead, and Matt Turnbull, executive producer at Xbox Game Studios, the team highlighted the importance of creating a more realistic and immersive gaming experience. Leskur explained, “We’re not playing a board game; we’re actually trying to simulate some of what we see in real life.” This philosophy is evident in Ara’s dynamically generated regions, which are shaped based on natural features like rivers and coastlines. These regions serve as the units of land that cities claim and military forces occupy as they expand across the map.
Regions in Ara are akin to slices of a pizza, with each region varying in size and shape. Players must strategically consider the number of zones within a region when making decisions about city expansion and resource management. For example, a region with fewer zones may be ideal for building monumental structures like the Pyramids of Giza, while a region with more zones could be better suited for farming and resource production. The number of edges a region has also plays a role in gameplay, affecting how units can move and interact within the game world.
The decision to move away from hexes and embrace irregularly-shaped regions in Ara was driven by the team’s desire to create a more immersive and lifelike gaming experience. Turnbull emphasized the importance of creating a world that feels authentic and reflects the choices and actions of the player. By incorporating interactive elements like individual people and animals that react to player actions, Ara aims to blur the lines between gaming and reality, inviting players to truly immerse themselves in the world they create.
As Ara prepares for its release on Steam, the Microsoft Store, and PC Game Pass on September 24, the gaming community is buzzing with anticipation. Despite the looming shadow of Civilization 7, which is set to release around the same time, Ara’s unique approach to grand strategy gaming has piqued the interest of many. While Civilization 7 may be the safe choice for fans of the genre, Ara offers a fresh and innovative take that challenges players to think outside the hexagonal grid.
In conclusion, Ara: History Untold is poised to shake up the grand strategy gaming landscape with its unconventional map design, dynamic gameplay mechanics, and immersive world-building features. By eschewing traditional hexes in favor of irregular regions, Ara invites players to explore a world that feels alive and responsive to their actions. With its release just around the corner, Ara has the potential to carve out its own niche in the genre and captivate gamers seeking a fresh and engaging strategy experience.
