Microsoft’s Ara vs. Firaxis’ Civilization
In the ever-competitive realm of 4X games, Microsoft’s Ara: History Untold is gearing up to shake things up with its impending diplomacy update. Following a launch that was met with a mix of skepticism and enthusiasm last September, Ara has recently escalated tensions with Firaxis’ iconic Civilization series. With this new update, it seems that Oxide Games is ready to go nuclear—literally.
Gone Are the Days of Lackluster Diplomatic Features
A key issue that plagued Ara upon arrival was its rather lackluster diplomatic system. Players felt like they were merely tossing pebbles into a puddle when trying to negotiate. However, the upcoming patch, dubbed “1.3,” looks to change all that. With features including bribery, military aid, and various new diplomatic events, it’s clear Oxide Games has taken player feedback to heart. Plus, gone are the days of playing nice; it seems our favorite warheads are making a grand entrance!
Nuclear Weapons Taking Center Stage
The highlight of the update is, without a doubt, the inclusion of nuclear weapons. While details remain scarce—“players can unlock technologies to build nuclear weapons and defenses”—the breathtaking images shared by Oxide certainly hint at the chaos that awaits players. Will this be a game-changer for Ara? Only time will tell. After all, many found the core gameplay enjoyable. With this nuclear twist, Ara may yet find itself standing proudly alongside its competitors.
In conclusion, while the launch of Ara may have seemed premature compared to Civilization 7’s more controversial offerings, the addition of these new features adds depth. This might just be the strategic territory Microsoft needed—certainly a step in the right direction.
