The Xbox Developer Direct was a delight for all the console fans waiting for titles coming to the consoles and PC as announced by first-party studios associated with Xbox. Many titles were announced at the showcase, and all looked pretty good.
However, there was one that would instantly make one reminisce about the hit strategy title Sid Meier’s Civilization 6. As shown in the showcase, it is a strategy title that allows players to lead a nation of their choice through a custom timeline shaped by the player’s choices and how they approach various duties assigned to them. Strategy is a video game genre that isn’t very well explored and only enjoys a niche audience. It makes sense to ask if Ara: History Untold can make a name for itself despite focusing on a relatively less popular genre.
Ara: History Untold’s addition to the Xbox Developer Direct is refreshing
Over the past few years in video games, we have mostly seen video games that fall into genres that are usually explored in the industry. Action-adventure, FPS, Sports, RPG, and Open World are some of the more common genres in the industry.
It is very occasional for a title to be based on the less-explored genre of Strategy and make waves in the industry. However, when one looks at the Strategy title revealed in the Xbox Developer Direct Showcase, it is most certainly a title that would be worth exploring, even by people unfamiliar with the game’s genre. Oxide Games is developing the title. The studio comprises former Firaxis developers responsible for titles like Civilization 5.
As promised by the game’s reveal trailer, the game attempts to innovate in the genre. The game will allow players to venture into the world, govern their people, and expand their territory. The game is also being built on a proprietary engine to ensure that the game engine’s abilities do not limit all new and innovative gameplay features.
One of the game’s most prosperous offerings is the Living World, a procedurally generated alternate Earth blooming with biodiversity. One of the Living World’s main offerings is that it vividly reflects the consequences of the choices one makes throughout gameplay.
Everything from the decisions leading to an impact on settlements to the world’s culture influencing the style of architecture is represented beautifully in the game’s world. The game also has something known as the Prestige System that looks innovative. The Prestige in the title determines the player’s competency as a leader. It also offers various areas where players can practice their expertise, from arts & culture, military might, or advancement of science and technology.
The victory conditions in the game are also more balanced to provide an experience that the players value. The game also has a very robust crafting system. This system focuses on players achieving a balance between the things required to succeed while ensuring that their approach is sustainable and doesn’t fall flat.
Also, in Ara, all of the player’s actions in the game are resolved instantaneously, this challenges the players and measures how well they can traverse uncertain situations and outcomes. It also helps players exercise their minds and put enough thought before doing something and considering all possible outcomes. This also speeds up the gameplay, makes it feel less sluggish, and offers less downtime to players.
During the Xbox Developer Direct, it was also revealed that the game won’t focus only on one region or dynasty, which players could govern. Instead, players can get as creative as they want and create their own experience. Also, the leaders who would be present in the player’s dynasty are filled with dynamism, and no two of them are cut from the same cloth. The leaders in the game’s roster are also spread across various cultures and parts of the world. Let us know your thoughts on the game’s showcase in the comments below!
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