Following Anno 1800, a new game from the long-established and highly popular Anno franchise is a massive undertaking. However, Ubisoft Mainz has risen to the challenge, boldly packing lots of new ideas into Anno 117: Pax Romana.
Anno 1800 is one of the most successful games created in Germany. The city/empire builder from Ubisoft Mainz counts over five million players and has received four season passes, each with three expansions, as well as almost 20 cosmetic DLCs. This has turned the already dense and expansive game into a veritable juggernaut - something that the developers could not have anticipated when it was released in April 2019. In March 2023, the main game even made the leap to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, still unusual for this genre. Building on this success, Ubisoft is approaching the next Anno game with a fresh brand design and taking the franchise back to its earliest scenario yet - far before Anno 1404, to the ancient world at the height of the Roman Empire. This is a scenario that has been frequently requested by players and is surprisingly rare in games. However, despite this historical step backwards, Ubisoft Mainz is releasing its most ambitious franchise instalment yet.
However, the core of the franchise remains unchanged. Players take on the role of governor, starting with a small settlement and gathering resources to set up production facilities. The aim is to meet the ever-growing needs of the inhabitants, allowing the settlement to advance to the next stage of civilisation and grow even bigger. As is typical of the Anno series, the game world consists of multiple islands and provinces that can be colonised and are simulated in parallel. For the first time, players can choose between different starting provinces and rule either the Roman Empire in Latium or the Celtic Kingdom in Albion, spreading the cultural influence of the Romans or Celts - with major differences in gameplay and visuals.
Nevertheless, there are many new features that affect core systems, such as the more flexible citizen needs system. Unlike in Anno 1800, where all the needs of a population tier had to be met to progress, in Anno 117 players only need to fulfil one need from each of several categories to advance. At the first population level (Libertus), for example, needs are categorised as food, clothing and public services. In the case of food, two goods - fish or porridge - satisfy this need, but only one is required. This means that it is no longer necessary to produce all goods or meet all needs. The higher the population level, the more categories and complex requirements are added. Although only one option per category needs to be fulfilled, fulfilling multiple needs in the same category brings additional benefits.
Additionally, the new attribute and building bonus system adds depth and possibilities to the strategic layer. Attributes such as income, population, satisfaction, fire safety and health primarily increase by fulfilling the population's needs, rewarding players with positive effects such as higher tax revenues and a lower fire risk. Production buildings also receive buffs and debuffs based on their surroundings, making city planning a strategic undertaking. Attributes affect both island and global levels and are presented clearly in a new UI bar. Overall, the developers aim to provide players with more strategic options and possibilities while making the game more accessible to newcomers, all the while continuing to offer veterans the complexity they are accustomed to.
Anno 117: Pax Romana; Ubisoft
So, some significant changes have been made to the core of Anno - but that's not all! Ships, which are the main means of travel and transportation between islands and regions, now have a modular design. There are three types - penteconters, triremes and quinquires - that can be customised with different slots for upgrades that alter their appearance and characteristics, such as health and manoeuvrability. In terms of flexibility, the traditional rectangular building grid has been overhauled. Roads can now be built diagonally at 45-degree angles, enabling more organic city layouts. Farm fields will also adapt to the new grid. Previous Anno games only allowed roads to be built at 90-degree angles.
Another new feature is the Discovery Tree. Here, technologies and improvements can be researched using the 'Knowledge' resource. The tree is divided into three main categories: economy, civil and military. Examples include paved roads to speed up transport, the ability to mine iron on islands where it doesn't occur naturally, and military improvements such as the 'Protective Entourage', which boosts morale and strength. Players can furthermore customise their desired gameplay by focusing on the areas that are important to them. 'Knowledge' is generated through certain buildings, such as the Grammaticus, and by meeting certain needs, such as providing the upper classes with writing slates. Some technologies require specific conditions to be met, such as establishing trade routes or constructing aqueducts. Overall, there are over 150 discoveries that encourage the interconnection of various game elements and support long-term strategic decision-making.
A religion mechanic is a completely new addition to the franchise. Players can build a sanctuary on their island and select a primary god whose worship will benefit the islanders. This system is based on the 'Belief' attribute, which increases through public buildings and goods (e.g. wine) and, later, through shrines. The higher the devotion to a god, the stronger the associated effects, which can impact production, troop morale, shipbuilding and other areas. Initially, players can choose from four main gods (Ceres, Neptune, Minerva and Mars), whose influence can be exerted either locally, on an individual island, or globally, across all provinces. For example, a region focused on agriculture could be associated with Ceres, while a region centred on military matters could be associated with Mars. This system reflects ancient Rome's polytheistic beliefs. Deities do not appear visibly; rather, the psychological influence and motivation of the population through their beliefs is simulated.
For a long time, naval battles were the only type of combat featured in the Anno franchise, but in Anno 117: Pax Romana, land combat is making a comeback. Players can train land units that can fulfil different roles, such as infantry, ranged fighters, cavalry and artillery. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, based on the rock-paper-scissors principle. Coordinating land and sea units is essential: ships can transport troops to enemy islands and attack land targets, and land troops can fire back at sea. Defensive structures such as palisades, walls, and defence towers can be used to protect the islands. The military is closely linked to the economy and population because all troops require resources, money and manpower for construction and maintenance. It is important to emphasise that this is only one aspect of the game, which focuses on discovery, city building and the economy. Players also have the option of focusing solely on the logistical aspects, such as weapon production and troop training, and leaving all potential battles to the AI (automatic combat). Peaceful players can choose to play with easier rivals or simply disable them and the pirates, making war and combat an optional choice.
As well as sandbox mode and multiplayer, including co-op and PvP (Cross-play and cross-save), the game also features a single-player campaign. For the first time in the series, players can choose their character. They can play as Marcus, a young man plagued by self-doubt following his unexpected appointment as Roman governor. Alternatively, they can follow the path of Marcia, whose rise challenges the norms of a male-dominated empire. As governor, players’ decisions will shape the lives of their citizens and redefine the nature of Roman rule.
Anno 117: Pax Romana is set to launch on 13 November 2025. It will be available on PC via the Ubisoft Store, Steam, and the Epic Games Store, as well as on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. This marks the first time in the Anno series that a game has been released simultaneously on PC and consoles. The game will be available in three editions: the Standard Edition for €60; the Gold Edition, which includes the Year 1 Pass and Day 1 Content (three Player Sigils, one Ship Skin and one Ornament), for €90; and the Collector's Edition, also known as the Governor's Edition, for €160. The Standard Edition will also be available in a physical box for PC and PS5. The Collector's Edition is sold exclusively by retailers and is offered only for PC (Ubisoft Connect) and PS5. This includes the Gold Edition, a steelbook, a forged Anno symbol, Albion and Latium coins, an amphitheatre 3D puzzle, an artbook, three lithographs, a town crier's letter, and a tesserae works blueprint.
As with Anno 1800, Anno 117 will receive several expansions after its release. The Year 1 Pass includes three DLC packs. The first of these is Prophecies of Ash. Here, players will find the largest island ever created in Anno, complete with a massive volcano and a new deity to worship, probably inspired by Pompeii. The second DLC, titled The Hippodrome, features the largest monument in Anno history, inspired by the Circus Maximus. The third DLC, Dawn of the Delta, features a new province characterised by vast deserts and a mighty river, likely drawing inspiration from Egypt. Anno 1800 had four yearly passes, each of which comprised three gameplay expansions as well as additional cosmetic DLC packs. It is quite likely that Anno 117 will follow a similar path, but this remains to be seen.
With all these new features and improvements, Anno 117: Pax Romana is set to be the ultimate complete package. It offers plenty of depth and choice for fans of the Anno series, while also being more accessible for new players without sacrificing the franchise's key elements.
With Anno 117: Pax Romana, Ubisoft Mainz has surpassed even its own high standards!
AAA
