Ara: History Untold got a cinematic reveal at the big Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase the other day, and with developer Oxide Games set up by design leads that worked on Civilization 5 (the studio's first game was the popular Ashes of the Singularity) today comes a first look at gameplay. Mostly snippets but the team was on hand to dig a little deeper as part of the Extended Xbox showcase.

It's an alternate history grand strategy, and the visuals are definitely impressive - with some pretty large cities chock full of detail. This one has definite Civilization vibes.

Build a nation and lead your people throughout history to the pinnacles of human achievement as you explore new lands, develop arts and culture, conduct diplomacy, and go head-to-head with your rivals to prove you are the greatest ruler ever known.

Featuring both familiar and innovative new gameplay mechanics, Ara: History Untold delivers an evolution in turn-based historical grand strategy with no pre-set paths to victory, leading to endless possibilities. Your choices will define the world you create, your experience, and your legacy.

As per above the focus here looks to be less on strategy in the form of conquest and more about creating and shaping the world based on choice and the decisions you make. It certainly sounds fascinating, and Ara: History Untold is on track for release in 2023 where it will debut on PC Game Pass on day one. No word yet if this will get a console port.