A Visually Stunning 4X That Struggles to Stay Engaging
Ara: History Untold enters the crowded realm of turn-based 4X strategy games, taking aim at the legacy of the genre’s giants. While it delivers one of the most visually striking and lively depictions of historical city-building, it stumbles when it comes to the depth and functionality of its mechanics. The game demands more micromanagement from players than its competitors but fails to provide intuitive tools to keep the experience engaging.
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Familiar Foundations with a Few Twists
Ara’s take on history doesn’t stray far from the classic 4X formula. Players start in the Neolithic era and progress through a tech tree divided into three acts, each spanning four ages. The game leans heavily on a European-centric historical path, though the final futuristic era introduces an interesting shift toward AI, transhumanism, and cybernetics rather than space exploration—a refreshing break from convention.
Like similar titles, Ara allows players to choose from a roster of historical figures, portrayed in an expressive but simplistic 3D style. While familiar faces like Julius Caesar and Shaka Zulu make an appearance, the inclusion of less conventional leaders—such as Copernicus representing Poland or Sappho for Greece—adds some variety. However, the actual impact of these leaders is underwhelming. Their bonuses are largely passive, and their presence does little to shape the course of a playthrough. The lack of culturally unique units tied to leader selection further reduces the distinction between civilizations, with special military units available only through specific building conditions rather than national identity.
A system of opposing personality traits attempts to add another layer of depth, influencing diplomatic relations. However, its effects are limited, and some traits even impose penalties without providing an apparent benefit—an odd choice from a balance perspective.
A World Alive with Detail
Ara’s procedurally generated maps are undeniably stunning. The level of detail is impressive, with towns bustling with activity, windmills turning, and animals roaming the landscape. The world feels alive in a way few other strategy games achieve, making simple map exploration a joy.
However, not all visual elements are as polished. The automated road-building system often results in tangled, unrealistic paths, disrupting the otherwise immersive aesthetic. Performance issues can also creep in during the late game, especially on larger maps, where framerate drops become noticeable—even on high-end hardware.
A lack of architectural diversity across civilizations is another missed opportunity. Regardless of which culture is being played, buildings tend to look similar within each era, making cities feel less unique. This further diminishes the impact of leader selection, reinforcing the sense that civilizations are defined more by numerical tweaks than by distinct identities.
A Promising but Overwhelming Economy
One of Ara’s most ambitious features is its complex, goods-based economic system. Unlike traditional 4X games that rely on simplified food and production values, Ara introduces an intricate manufacturing chain. Grain, for example, can be processed into bread, which can then be used in more advanced food production. As the game progresses, this system expands to include modern goods like refrigerators and electronics.
In theory, this approach adds a deep strategic layer, forcing players to refine raw materials into valuable commodities to sustain growing cities. However, in practice, the system becomes unwieldy. Managing just a few settlements is enjoyable, but as cities multiply, the lack of automation or clear notifications makes optimization a nightmare. Players are left manually tracking which buildings need resources, which experts (Ara’s version of specialists) are idle, and when supply chains are disrupted. The interface provides only minimal assistance, making economic management tedious rather than engaging.
A basic tooltip exists to show production and consumption balances, but it’s difficult to read, lacks sorting options, and quickly becomes overwhelming as more resources are introduced. Without an intuitive way to oversee the entire economy, players must sift through individual buildings to make crucial adjustments—an exhausting task that turns the late game into a slog.
Combat and Diplomacy: Serviceable but Shallow
Ara’s combat system is functional but lacks excitement. Battles unfold automatically, with players making rock-paper-scissors-style unit selections and occasional formation choices for minor bonuses. While the full 3D battle animations look impressive at first, they quickly grow repetitive and add little to strategic depth.
A controversial feature is the knockout mechanic, which eliminates the lowest-scoring civilizations after reaching certain eras. While this helps streamline the late game by reducing clutter, it also removes much of the diplomatic intrigue that makes 4X games interesting. In large matches, only a handful of civilizations remain by the final act, leading to a less dynamic experience.
Diplomacy itself is as barebones as it gets, offering only standard options like alliances, wars, and trade agreements. While early-game trade can be useful for securing vital resources, the system lacks depth, and meaningful diplomatic interactions are rare. Government, religion, and advisors similarly amount to little more than numerical stat boosts, providing minor advantages rather than opening new strategic avenues.
Final Verdict
Ara: History Untold is a visually mesmerizing take on the historical 4X genre, but it struggles to maintain engagement beyond its early stages. While the detailed cities, lively animations, and deep economic system offer exciting possibilities, the lack of intuitive management tools turns the mid-to-late game into a frustrating experience. Leader, government, and religion choices feel shallow, failing to differentiate playthroughs in a meaningful way.
Despite an impressive first act, the game’s complexity quickly becomes its own worst enemy. The absence of streamlined automation forces players into an exhausting cycle of micromanagement, making long sessions feel like a chore rather than a challenge. While the foundations of an innovative 4X game are present, the execution leaves much to be desired.
