HomeNewsAra: History Untold

Ara: History Untold hopes to get out in front of Civilization 7 with its 2024 release windowIt’s also coming to Game Pass day one

It’s also coming to Game Pass day one

Image credit:Xbox Game Studios

Image credit:Xbox Game Studios

Hexagon panels sit side by side showing historical figure’s faces in a screenshot from Ara: History Untold’s trailer

Ara: Story Untold was originally announced at last year’s notE3Xbox Games Showcase, but the game has been missing in action since then. Until now, that is. During tonight’s Gamescom announceathon show, Microsoft released the first in-game trailer for Oxide Games' turn-based grandstrategy game, which spans, checks notes, ah yes, the whole of human history. Here it is:

Ara: History Untold Gameplay TrailerWatch on YouTube

Ara: History Untold Gameplay Trailer

Cover image for YouTube video

That small clip was certainly giving me very big Civilization vibes, mainly because you need to build up your own, ahem, civilisation, starting from humble tribes and evolving into societies that have the potential to do terrible, terrible things like initiate wars, colonise peaceful lands and create unwalkable cities. Or you could try to rewrite history to your own liking. All up to you. There’s even a shot of the Eiffel Tower standing next to the Pyramids in Egypt if you’re feeling particularly rebellious.

You can also choose from several notable historical figures, which makes me wonder how the early-human history stuff plays out. TheSteam pagementions the Egyptian Queen Nefertiti, Greek poet Sappho and US founding father George Washington. It also gets slightly gets into the turn-based strategy’s nitty-gritty:

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Ara: History Untoldcomes from developer Oxide Games, who were previously responsible for the RTSAshes Of The Singularity. Brendy (RPS in peace) found it “gorgeous, but plain,” in hisreview. But the studio’s founders were former Firaxis (XCOM and Civilization) developers, so maybe their grand strategy pivot will find more success.

Ara: History Untold now has a nebulous 2024 release window and will launch on PC Game Pass day one.

For more of the latest news and previews from Gamescom 2023, head to ourGamescom 2023 hub. You can also findeverything announced at Opening Night Liveright here.