Hannan Mundia 
Xbox has a turn-based strategy game coming out in Ara: History Untold and, with its release date still uncertain, there’s reason to discuss the details regarding its exclusivity and gameplay.
Oxide Games is looking to make a big splash with its upcoming competitor to Sid Meier’s Civilization. The studio is mostly known for 2016’s real-time strategy game Ashes of the Singularity, but it’s been working on “Project Indus” since then. Officially titled Ara: History Untold, the game was first announced in 2021 and was later given the spotlight as part of the 2022 Xbox Games showcase.
More recent trailers have given fans an idea of what the game will be like and what they can look forward to. Here’s everything there is to know about Ara: History Untold.
What is Ara: History Untold?
Ara: History Untold is a turn-based grand strategy game set across multiple historical periods and places.
Ara will play like Oxide’s previous title, Ashes of the Singularity, with the difference being that players will have to change history from the ground up instead of taking control of civilization from the future. This game is all about the number of choices a player can make. Instead of pre-defined paths to victory, the title will allow fans to do anything that helps them achieve their goals.
This freedom of choice, combined with constantly changing biomes and procedurally generated environments and AI opponents promises to create an immersive and unique experience for players. Similar to Ashes of Singularity, Ara is likely to feature massive battles with upwards of a thousand units duking it out at once on the battlefield, suggesting that the game might require relatively high-end hardware for a smooth experience.
Ara: History Untold draws clear inspiration from Civilization, but sets itself apart in a few ways. It sets itself apart graphically by losing the grid-friendly style in favor of sheer scope, with war playing out between hundreds of on-screen units and cities packed with buildings. There are still more similarities than differences though, as players will take on the role of real-life historical figures to lead a society across history.
Ara: History Untold release date
Ara: History Untold is slated to be released exclusively for PC in 2024, although the exact date is unknown.
Ara will be playable on day one on Xbox Game Pass and can be purchased from the Microsoft Store and Steam. The game is not currently set to be released on Xbox consoles, despite the fact that Civilization 6 enjoyed a successful console launch. While Microsoft is rumored to be bringing first-party exclusives to competitor platforms, fans shouldn’t expect it on PlayStation or Nintendo consoles any time soon.
An exact release date has not been given for Ara: History Untold. Oxide Games posted on X that the game will appear in Xbox’s Developer Direct, where the company might reveal more information on the upcoming title.
