The Game Design Round Table
#328 Civilization Series 8 - Ara
Oct 22, 2024
Dirk and David dive into the challenges and delights of Ara: History Untold by Oxide Games. They critique the game's marketing and its clunky crafting systems. Expectations and frustrations emerge with game mechanics, resource management, and the complexities of city-building. The discussion highlights underwhelming elements of religion and diplomacy while comparing Ara to the broader Civilization series. They reflect on the innovation potential in the genre and the ongoing battle between player hopes and game realities.
55:59
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Quick takeaways
- Ara: History Untold suffers from poor onboarding and unclear mechanics, leading to player confusion and diminished enjoyment.
- The game's complex city management and rigid combat systems create a cognitive burden that undermines strategic engagement and player satisfaction.
Deep dives
Initial Impressions and Misrepresentation
Aura History Untold is perceived as having insufficient marketing support, leading to initial confusion regarding its gameplay. Players notably struggle with onboarding, as the game lacks clear guidance, resulting in misunderstandings about mechanics like population growth, which seems to operate independently of resources. The game's design appears to misrepresent its core mechanics, causing expectations based on other civilization games, such as 'Humankind', to clash with the actual experience. This dissonance ultimately diminishes enjoyment, as players grapple with understanding how to effectively engage with the game.
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