Ara: History Untold boldly enters the 4X strategy space — a genre long dominated by titans like Civilization and Humankind — and makes a clear statement: there’s still room for innovation. Developed by Oxide Games and published by Xbox Game Studios, Ara offers a polished, thoughtful take on world-building, management, and historical storytelling. It’s not perfect, but it’s refreshingly different in a genre that often plays it safe.

Unlike many 4X titles, Ara isn't obsessed with history as a fixed script. Instead, it’s about shaping an alternate vision of humanity — where you, the player, are less of a conqueror and more of a curator of civilization.

Turns are simultaneous, which might be the biggest mechanical shift for veteran players. Everyone takes their actions at the same time, which means no more waiting for dozens of AI opponents to finish micromanaging their cities. It’s fast, efficient, and surprisingly tension-filled, especially in multiplayer.

City building feels alive. Rather than being constrained to tiles in a rigid grid, your territory grows organically. Each city becomes a self-contained ecosystem, with infrastructure, production, and citizen happiness all tied to how well you manage growth. This makes every settlement feel distinct — and managing their needs is a juggling act that never becomes boring.

Resource management in Ara is more granular than most 4X games, blending crafting mechanics with traditional production queues. Citizens aren't faceless workers — they have professions, preferences, and needs. The game leans into this simulation aspect, making you feel more like a ruler overseeing a living society than a spreadsheet-filling god.

Technology and policy development is guided by "inspirations" — discoveries born from your actions, not just a tech tree you blindly follow. This opens up room for more emergent playstyles and rewards curiosity and experimentation.

Diplomacy and warfare are functional, if not revolutionary. Alliances and rivalries develop logically, but don't expect Crusader Kings levels of intrigue or Total War-style battlefield tactics. If there's one area that feels undercooked, it’s the military side of the equation — serviceable, but lacking depth compared to the economic and cultural systems.

Visually, Ara is bright and painterly — a softer, more inviting art style than many of its genre peers. Maps are richly detailed, with dynamic lighting and seasonal effects that make the world feel responsive and alive. Cities look great at a glance, but the charm fades a bit if you zoom in too closely, where animations and detail can feel limited.

The soundtrack leans into hopeful orchestral tones, echoing the theme of rewriting humanity’s future. It’s pleasant, even if it doesn’t particularly stand out — a good background score for long, thoughtful turns.

What Could Be Better:
-Combat needs more depth. It feels more like a means to an end than a satisfying tactical system.
-AI behavior can be erratic. Some leaders are far too passive or make baffling decisions.
-UI clutter and tooltip overload. At times, the sheer amount of information gets overwhelming, especially for new players.
-Performance hitches on large maps or during late-game turns can be noticeable, though patches have improved things post-launch.

Ara: History Untold isn’t just another 4X game. It’s an ambitious and thoughtful attempt to rethink how we play these games — how we shape civilization, how we progress, and how we measure success. It trades micromanagement-heavy complexity for a more elegant, systems-driven approach that rewards planning, experimentation, and immersion.

For strategy fans tired of chasing science victories or spamming settlers every 20 turns, Ara offers a much-needed breath of fresh air. It may not dethrone Civ just yet, but it earns its place in the conversation — and lays the groundwork for something truly great.

Recommended for fans of Civilization, Old World, Endless Legend, or anyone looking for a slower, smarter, more narrative-driven 4X experience.

Rating: 7/10

If you like the civ games, you will like this :)

I like it