Fellow city-builders and strategy aficionados!
Just when we thought the genre might be losing its luster (looking at you, Cities: Skylines 2), Ubisoft has stepped up to reignite our passion with a jaw-dropping announcement: Anno 117: Pax Romana. This isn’t just another entry in the acclaimed Anno series – it’s a time-warping leap into the heart of the Roman Empire that promises to redefine historical strategy games.
Buckle up, because we’re about to dive into what could be the most exciting city-builder since the masterpiece that was Anno 1800.
From Industrial Revolution to Roman Glory: A Bold New Frontier
Redefining the Anno Experience
The Anno series has always been our ticket to different eras, but Anno 117: Pax Romana is taking us further back in time than ever before. Set in 117 AD, at the zenith of the Roman Empire, this new installment has us buzzing with anticipation.
The prospect of managing a Roman province is utterly tantalizing.
Manuel Reinher, the game’s Creative Director, seems just as excited as we are: “This is not only the biggest time jump we ever did, it also offers us a lot of possibilities to bring the Anno gameplay to a completely new era.” If they can bring the same level of depth and engagement that made Anno 1800 a modern classic, we’re in for a treat of gladiatorial proportions.
A Visual Feast Worthy of Caesar
Remember how Anno 1800 stunned us with its gorgeous depiction of 19th-century industrial landscapes? Well, Ubisoft is promising to outdo themselves once again. Haye Anderson, Brand Director, teases, “We’ve refreshed Anno’s visual identity to carry us into the next decade with a clear purpose: cultivating the joy of building.” Imagine constructing aqueducts, coliseums, and forums with an same attention to detail that made Anno 1800’s factories and railway stations come to life. The mere thought has us reaching for our togas in anticipation.
Gameplay That Could Make Augustus Jealous
From Humble Governor to Empire Builder
In Anno 117, you’re not just laying down roads and zoning districts – you’re stepping into the sandals of a Roman Governor. This is the kind of role-playing depth we’ve been craving since Cities: Skylines 2 left us wanting more.
Balancing the needs of your local populace with the demands of the Emperor? Sign us up!
A Tale of Two Provinces: Your Choice, Your Destiny
One of the most exciting announcements is the ability to choose your starting location:
- The Celtic Wetlands of Albion: For those of us who love a challenge, this frontier setting promises to test our skills.
- Latium: Right in the heart of Roman territory, perfect for players who want to dive straight into the political intrigue that made Anno serie’s diplomacy so engaging.
This level of choice could add incredible replay value.
Complex Systems to Satisfy Our Inner Bureaucrat
Ubisoft Mainz is promising deep, interconnected systems involving logistics, production chains, and political balancing acts. If they can expand on the intricate supply chains that made Anno so addictive, while adding layers of Roman politicking, we might never leave our computers again.
Technical Mastery: Learning from the Best
The team behind Anno 117 isn’t just resting on their laurels. They’re taking the lessons learned from previous Anno title to create a game that’s both accessible to newcomers and deeply satisfying for veterans. The promised modular approach to difficulty sounds like it could be the perfect solution for players of all skill levels.
The Road to Rome: Worth the Wait
Mark your calendars for 2025, fellow empire builders. That’s when Anno 117: Pax Romana will be gracing our PlayStations 5s, Xbox Series X|S, PCs, and even the cloud via Amazon Luna and for sure on GeForce Now. And for the truly dedicated among us (you know who you are, Anno 1800 season pass holders), Ubisoft Premium subscribers get to start building Roman roads from day one.
Conclusion: A New Golden Age of City-Building?
Anno 117: Pax Romana isn’t just shaping up to be another great Anno game – it’s positioning itself as the empire-building experience we’ve been dreaming of since we first learned about Roman aqueducts in history class. With its ambitious setting, promises of deep gameplay systems, and a development team that’s proven they know how to iterate and improve, Anno 117 could be the game to wash away the disappointment of recent city-builder launches.
So, fellow governors, it’s time to dust off those history books, brush up on your Latin, and get ready for what might be the most exciting strategy game of 2025. The glory of Rome awaits, and this time, we’re the ones writing history. Are you ready to build an empire that will stand the test of time? Because Anno 117: Pax Romana is coming, and by Jupiter, we can’t wait!
Stay tuned for more updates as we follow every road that leads to Rome in the development of Anno 117: Pax Romana. Ave, gamers! We’ll see you in the forum.
