Ara: History Untold is an innovative historical 4X game from Oxide Games and Xbox Games Studios that lets you play as your own custom civilization. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.

Ara: History Untold Review Overview

What is Ara: History Untold?

Ara: History Untold is a region-focused 4X strategy game that spans the entire course of human history, from the dawn of civilization to the futuristic Age of Singularity. It offers players the chance to lead entire civilizations through the ages, emphasizing strategic management of logistics and production chains. The game delivers an immersive experience with a dynamic endgame that embraces a variety of playstyles, allowing for both familiar and uncharted paths. Will you guide your civilization into a new golden age or forge a future history has never seen before? The choice is yours in Ara: History Untold.

Ara: History Untold features:
　⚫︎　Region-based territories, traversal, and exploration
　⚫︎　20+ civilizations with unique leaders
　⚫︎　Alternate costumes and costume colors for each civilization leader
　⚫︎　Logistics and production-based economy
　⚫︎　Era-based technological progression
　⚫︎　Simulated 3D map with moving elements
　⚫︎　Highly customizable difficulty settings
　⚫︎　20-30+ player multiplayer with simultaneous turns

Digital Storefronts
Steam		Microsoft Store
Price	$59.99

Ara: History Untold Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Using Simultaneous Turns is a Genius Idea Looks Great Even on Low Settings Great Playstyle Diversity	Not a Fan of the UI Logistics are Hard to Track Combat is Boring

Ara: History Untold Overall Score - 80/100

At first glance, comparisons to Sid Meier’s Civilization might seem inevitable, but they miss the mark when you dig deeper into what Ara: History Untold truly offers. While the surface similarities are there, the game’s innovative mechanics and fresh approach set it apart. Its stunning visual and auditory presentation further bolster its appeal, even if there are a few minor stumbles in execution. It’s got all the right ingredients to stand tall among other 4X games—just don’t expect it to dethrone Civilization anytime soon despite its uniqueness.

Ara: History Untold Story - 8/10

Like many 4X games—especially those rooted in history—Ara: History Untold doesn't offer a traditional narrative. Instead, it invites players to forge their own path to greatness through a variety of engaging gameplay elements. The game excels in offering a rich diversity of leaders and civilizations, a flexible range of playstyles, and a tech progression system that evolves through distinct eras. While it may not reach the iconic status of Sid Meier’s Civilization—its leaders aren't quite as memorable—it still provides a solid platform for players eager to craft a unique and ambitious history for their people.

Ara: History Untold Gameplay - 8/10

Ara: History Untold challenges the definition of a great historical 4X game by deliberately not being a Civilization clone. Instead, it blends influences from a variety of sources—taking the region-based territories from Age of Wonders, the era-based tech progression of Millennia, and the logistical and production systems from Builders of Greece—to create a distinctive, though slightly rough-around-the-edges, experience that stands confidently on its own. Comparisons to other titles are inevitable, but Ara: History Untold quickly proves that it has carved out its own identity in the genre.

Ara: History Untold Visuals - 8/10

Ara: History Untold strikes a balance between the stylized, cartoony visuals of Civilization 6 and the more realistic overworld typical of many 4X games. The leaders are charmingly animated, and the seamless integration of dynamically generated improvements across the landscape adds a natural touch that competes with Civilization’s hex-based design. While the game doesn’t push the boundaries of graphical fidelity, it executes its visual style with charm and polish. It may not be groundbreaking, but it’s a solid visual experience that complements the gameplay nicely. You won’t hear me complaining about a good idea done right.

Ara: History Untold Audio - 8/10

Ara: History Untold manages to evoke the same sense of inspiration that Civilization games are known for. While its soundtrack doesn’t quite reach the heights of iconic tracks like Civilization’s “Sogno di Volare” or “Baba Yetu,” the music is still well-crafted and works beautifully alongside the game’s fully voice-acted narration. No need to reinvent the wheel if you already have something great, after all.

Ara: History Untold Value for Money - 8/10

Triple-A gameplay often comes with a triple-A price tag, and Ara: History Untold is no exception with its $60 base price (excluding DLCs). For some, that might seem steep, but for 4X fans, it’s a solid investment. The game delivers across the board—offering gameplay that isn’t just a watered-down Civilization clone, a diverse selection of leaders right from the start, polished graphics, and competent sound design. At that price point, what more can you really ask for?

Ara: History Untold Review: More Than Just A Civ Clone

Let’s get the inevitable comparison with Sid Meier’s Civilization series out of the way early, so we can focus on what really matters. Yes, Ara: History Untold shares some surface similarities—its historical theme and reliance on leaders to shape each civilization’s playstyle being the most notable. But that’s where the resemblance ends. Ara forges its own path in nearly every other aspect, offering a fresh, distinct experience that, while not fully competitive with the giant of the genre, stands firmly on its own merits.

So, dust off your historical textbooks and get ready to dive into the annals of history once again, as we explore why Ara: History Untold is far more than just another Civ clone.

Let’s get into Ara’s gameplay first, where most of the similarities and differences with other 4X games come into play. At first glance, Ara: History Untold follows the familiar formula of city-building, territory management, resource exploitation, and leveraging leader bonuses to enhance your civilization’s strengths—whether it’s production, religion, warfare, or growth. Pretty standard stuff, right? But this is where things start to get interesting.

Unlike the hex-grid system seen in games like Civilization or Revivial: Recolonization, Ara opts for a region-based territory structure, more in line with titles like Humankind or Age of Wonders. This approach not only gives the expansion of your civilization a more organic feel but also replaces the usual adjacency and district bonuses of Civilization with a more straightforward yet flexible system of intra-region synergies. For instance, building a granary boosts all farms within its region, as do wells, but their effects don’t carry over to neighboring regions.

This region-based system doesn’t just add flexibility—it also speeds up expansion. Instead of claiming territory hex by hex, Ara: History Untold lets you gain entire regions at once, each with a varying number of buildable spaces. A single territorial acquisition can open up room for up to five buildings, rather than just one.

The downside? The map fills up much faster than in most other 4X games, meaning you’ll find yourself brushing up against rival civilizations much sooner than you might expect. But that’s part of the thrill—territorial tension comes quickly, pushing you to strategize earlier than in other titles.

Now, let’s shift focus to another core aspect of the game: the leaders. Ara: History Untold offers a solid variety with 25 playable leaders right from the start, plus five more available as paid content. However, when it comes to character and design, Ara doesn’t quite measure up to Civilization, particularly Civ 6, which emphasizes more charismatic, stylized leaders. In Ara, the leaders feel less personal and don’t interact much, lacking the vibrant personalities that make Civilization’s leaders so memorable. While they do provide bonuses, they aren’t as mechanically engaging or fleshed out as in other leader-centric 4X games. This might detract a bit from the game’s narrative depth, but overall, it’s a forgivable shortcoming in the grand scheme of the gameplay experience.

Another thing about Ara’s civilizations is their lack of the distinct identities you'd expect from strategy games. This mainly stems from the overlap in their abilities, largely driven by shared leader bonuses and debuffs. Rather than each civilization having its own unique unit, building, or improvement, they all pull from a common pool of buffs and debuffs, with the only major differentiation being a leader’s overarching ability. For instance, both Xerxes I and Otto von Bismarck share the "Disciplined" trait, which improves their efficiency in constructing government and military buildings. This blending of traits leaves most civilizations feeling interchangeable, with their leader bonuses standing as the sole feature that sets them apart.

On the civilization front, Ara distinguishes itself by zeroing in almost entirely on production, logistical chains, and city-wide bonuses derived from amenities and quality-of-life improvements. Every building serves a purpose: exploiting resources, processing those resources, or enhancing your city's livability. Even the grand Triumphs—Ara’s equivalent of wonders—contribute to this intricate dance of productivity.

Players are invited to master the art of production management, using crafted items to boost other buildings, maintaining amenities for your citizens, and ensuring that your logistical systems run like clockwork. It’s a deeply engaging system that rewards careful planning and strategic foresight.

However, as enjoyable as this system is, the game’s UI struggles to keep pace. Crucial information is often buried behind layers of nested menus, making it tough to monitor the moving parts of your civilization effectively. The UI itself isn’t terrible, but it flirts dangerously with being an eyesore—clunky, inelegant, and oddly out of sync with the game's otherwise ancient, timeless aesthetic.

When it comes to presentation, Ara: History Untold shines in some areas while stumbling in others. Visually, the game delivers a striking overworld teeming with life—from bustling cities to marching armies and roaming wildlife. Even though the game’s leaders lack depth in characterization, they’re well-rendered and smoothly animated, adding a layer of polish to the overall experience. Despite the mismatched UI, the game's simulated world is a treat to behold, especially when viewed from a macro perspective. Ara manages to create a sense of style that, while occasionally awkward, still leaves a strong impression.

The audio experience is equally compelling. The soundtrack is both evocative and inspired, perfectly complementing the game’s atmosphere. Adding to the immersion is a fully voice-acted narrator, whose performances help tie the narrative threads together. In sum, Ara: History Untold boasts a presentation that, despite a few missteps, delivers a visually and aurally engaging experience.

At its core, Ara: History Untold accomplishes something many 4X games struggle to do: it stands tall on its own merits. While it draws inevitable comparisons to the genre's heavyweights, it confidently carves out its own identity with unique mechanics and gameplay that set it apart. This game isn’t content to merely follow in the footsteps of its predecessors—it’s forging its own legacy. While it may not sound like high praise, believe me when I say this game is the pinnacle of breaking free from the "Civ clone" label.

Pros of Ara: History Untold

Things Ara: History Untold Got Right
Using Simultaneous Turns is a Genius Idea Looks Great Even on Low Settings Great Playstyle Diversity

Using Simultaneous Turns is a Genius Idea

While Ara: History Untold uses a familiar turn-based system to manage resources, it sets itself apart with a streamlined, simultaneous turn mechanic. Unlike traditional 4X games, where you often wait for AI opponents to finish their lengthy turns, Ara has all players—human and AI alike—take their turns at the same time. A simple press of the End Turn button wraps things up, keeping the pace brisk and eliminating one of the genre’s notorious slowdowns, especially in the late game when every move counts.

This innovation keeps turns snappy, and when combined with the game’s lighter emphasis on combat and simplified religious systems, Ara offers a faster, more fluid playthrough without sacrificing depth.

Looks Great Even on Low Settings

Another thing that makes Ara: History Untold great is its accessibility. Unlike some recent 4X titles, like Humankind, Ara manages to remain visually impressive while being surprisingly light on graphics requirements. Despite the sheer amount of activity happening on-screen, the game runs smoothly even on lower-end systems.

Even at the lowest settings, Ara retains its charm, with only minor visual downgrades. It’s a game that ensures you won’t need a powerhouse PC to enjoy its full potential, making it more approachable for a wider range of players.

Great Playstyle Diversity

4X players bring diverse strategies to the table—whether it’s growing tall, expanding wide, dominating through conquest, advancing technology, or chasing unique win conditions. In Ara: History Untold, victory is as straightforward as accumulating the most Prestige points. While you can still specialize in strategies like conquering or spreading religion, the game ultimately boils down to a numbers race, making it more accessible to different approaches.

You don’t have to snowball your way to victory; instead, Ara embraces a variety of playstyles, ensuring they all remain viable through careful experimentation and balance. It’s a welcoming environment for both seasoned strategists and newcomers, encouraging players to find the path that best suits their style.

Cons of Ara: History Untold

Things That Ara: History Untold Can Improve
Not a Fan of the UI Logistics are Hard to Track Combat is Boring

Not a Fan of the UI

While I wouldn’t go so far as to call Ara: History Untold’s UI horrendous, it does clash noticeably with the game’s overall antiquated aesthetic. The choice of blue hues for the interface feels out of place, where something like black or sepia would have better complemented the theme of humanity’s progression through the ages.

It might seem like a minor gripe, but when it’s something you’re constantly interacting with, it becomes a more significant issue.

Logistics are Hard to Track

Despite the game's emphasis on production and logistics, it falls short in giving you the tools to manage them effectively. Key menus are either tucked away in obscure corners, making them easy to miss, or they fail to provide the detailed information you need to truly take control of your operations. This lack of accessibility and depth leaves you feeling disconnected from the very systems you're supposed to be managing.

Combat is Boring

The game’s combat is, without a doubt, its weakest aspect. While there are some tactical elements, like mustering armies, setting formations, and engaging in strategic sieges, the overall depth is lacking. The limited variety of units and the absence of unique, nation-specific forces make it difficult to distinguish between factions. This not only dilutes the sense of identity for each nation but also hinders strategic planning, as the units start to blur together conceptually, leaving combat feeling repetitive and uninspired.

Is Ara: History Untold Worth It?

Worth It, Even Without DLCs

At $60 for the base game, Ara: History Untold might feel like a steep investment, especially with pre-order editions and DLC adding to the price. However, even without the pre-order bonuses, the game delivers substantial content right from the start, with over 20 leaders to choose from and the inherent replayability of a 4X title. Its level of polish is impressive, offering an experience that more than justifies its price tag, making it a worthy purchase for strategy enthusiasts looking for depth and quality.

Digital Storefronts
Steam		Microsoft Store
Price	$59.99

Ara: History Untold FAQ

How Do I Muster Armies in Ara: History Untold?

You can muster armies in Ara: History Untold by first queueing up the unit to be produced by your city. Once finished, they will be placed in your reserves and can be deployed in any formation you desire. Once deployed, armies will muster for a couple of turns and be deployed from the city where you first mustered them.

How Do I Build Triumphs in Ara: History Untold?

Triumphs are world wonders that provide big, civilization-spanning bonuses once they are built. To build one, you must first unlock the appropriate technology to do so. Once you do, you must allocate an entire region for its construction. If even a single slot of a region has a building in it, the Triumph cannot be built. Triumphs can also have other prerequisites that you need to take not of before building.

Once you have the materials to do so, you can queue the Triumph up to be built, completing in a few turns or so, as shown through a short cutscene.

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Ara: History Untold Product Information

Title	ARA: HISTORY UNTOLD
Release Date	September 24, 2024
Developer	Oxide Games
Publisher	Xbox Game Studios
Supported Platforms	PC (Steam, Xbox Game Pass)
Genre	Simulation, 4X
Number of Players	1-4
ESRB Rating	E 10+
Official Website	Ara: History Untold Website

Aaron Bruce Albert..

A massive fan of roguelikes, turn-based RPGs, and open world adventure games. His gold standard games include The Binding of Isaac, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, and Dragon Quest Monsters Joker.