Ara: History Untold has been available for almost a month and Oxide Games is preparing to deploy the very first major update of its 4X. The studio will thus correct defects that have been highlighted by players, which will clearly improve the gaming experience.
Ara: History Untold’s first update is coming, and it’s massive
We mentioned in our test various concerns in the management of Ara: History Untold, including the micromanagement of resources which could become really cumbersome in the long term. Oxide Games is well aware of this concern and will thus make it possible to manage crafting globally, define supply priorities and automate improvement processes via the economic policies screen.
In addition to making improvements requested by players, the studio is introducing new content, such as John A. Macdonald, a modding tool or even a map bearing the image of our Earth.
- National Economy Screen : This new screen makes resource management easier and reduces micromanagement, which was one of the major requests from players. Through this interface, players can manage crafting holistically, set supply priorities, and automate improvement processes through the policies screen. Policies set for certain upgrades allow the game to automatically check for needed supplies and apply them, minimizing the manual work required.
- Added John A. Macdonald : The Prime Minister of Canada, John A. Macdonald, enters the game with unique traits that optimize military and government development. Its disciplined trait provides a +50% bonus to military and government construction, allowing rapid establishment of solid infrastructure. On the other hand, its pacifist trait reduces the strength of units outside its territory by 10%, encouraging defensive strategies. Additionally, his logging ability increases wood production in logging camps.
- Amenity pack : This pack introduces more than a dozen new amenities inspired by technological advancements throughout human history. These new amenities provide players with tools to shape the development of their nations, thereby improving prosperity and national stability. The addition of these elements enriches the strategic depth of the game, allowing leaders to better respond to the needs of their citizens.
- Combat Viewer : Although Ara: History Untold is not exclusively a war game, war is a crucial aspect of the gameplay. The new Combat Viewer allows players to analyze clashes between different unit types. This feature marks a first step toward better integrating terrain into combat, providing a clearer understanding of the complexities of war and improving battle transparency.
- Unit Improvements : One of the most requested features, the ability to upgrade individual units within an army, is now available. Players no longer need to combine modern armies with basic units or completely disband units to upgrade them. This system also provides insight into the costs and benefits of upgrades, allowing players to make informed decisions when upgrading their forces.
- Advisor system : To help new players, an advisor system has been introduced. These advisors offer real-time advice based on the chosen leader and paragon, making it easier to learn the mechanics of the game. Although this first version of the advisors is integrated into a panel, future versions will aim to make them more integrated and visible throughout gameplay.
- Bases de Modding : Ara launches into modding by launching the first support phase. Players can edit files and use them in their games, opening up possibilities for increased customization. The following phases will focus on mod management, content sharing and the smooth integration of mods into the game, thus enriching the gaming experience.
- World Map : The update introduces a balanced world map, designed for fair gameplay and providing historical representation. Continents are sized to allow each nation a certain amount of room to maneuver, thus preventing one nation from enjoying a disproportionate geographical advantage. The Ara team plans to continue improving this map as more nations are added and player feedback is taken into account.
Ara: History Untold update 1.1, called Invisible Hand, is not yet available and no release date has yet been communicated. The wait shouldn’t be too long, however.
Oxide Games takes the opportunity to affirm that this is only the beginning for its new game. The studio promises a roadmap “filled with exciting updates, including improvements to diplomacy, a map editor, naval supremacy , supply lines and even trade routes.”
In the meantime, you can already enjoy the title on Steam and the Windows Store. It is of course available in PC Game Pass, since it was published by Xbox Game Studios Publishing. The arrival of a console version should occur later.
