Ubisoft isn’t shy about crowd-pleasing at these summer showcases, but when their PC Gaming Show segment dropped new looks at Anno 117: Pax Romana, The Rogue Prince of Persia, and Morbid Metal, I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow-part intrigue, part skepticism. We’re seeing everything from empire-building and roguelite action to anime-infused cyberpunk carnage, but does this lineup signal true creative risk-taking, or is Ubisoft just checking genre boxes with safe bets? Let’s break down what stood out, what matters for players, and where Ubisoft’s latest reveals leave today’s gaming landscape.
Game Info Table
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Ubisoft (except Morbid Metal: Screen Juice/Ubisoft) |
| Release Date | Anno 117: November 13, 2025 The Rogue Prince of Persia: August 2025 Morbid Metal: TBA |
| Genres | Anno 117: City-building, Strategy The Rogue Prince of Persia: 2D Roguelite Platformer Morbid Metal: Hack-and-Slash Roguelite |
| Platforms | Anno 117: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Amazon Luna, PC The Rogue Prince of Persia: Steam (other platforms TBA) Morbid Metal: TBA (PC confirmed) |
Let’s dig into each reveal and what it tells us about where Ubisoft-and, by extension, a big chunk of the industry—is headed.
As a long-time Anno fan, seeing Anno 117: Pax Romana shoot for the “biggest Roman city-builder ever” hits me right in the hype glands. That over-the-top trailer—with singing statues and all—signals classic Ubisoft spectacle, but it also left me asking: will this actually translate to richer, more dynamic city-building, or just a prettier spreadsheet? Anno 1800 set a high bar for smart strategy and visual detail. Now Ubisoft Mainz promises sprawling provinces from Latium to Albion, more player agency, and a “legacy” system that apparently changes how Rome remembers you. Sounds cool, but recent history has taught me to watch for the catch: is this real replay value, or another thin layer on top of tried-and-true resource juggling?
The genre has been on a hot streak lately, from indie surprises like Against the Storm to juggernauts like Frostpunk 2 soon arriving. Ubisoft needs to balance respect for Anno’s micromanagement tradition with genuine new systems, not just a fresh coat of Roman marble. If it clicks, Anno 117 could absolutely dominate the city-builder conversation in 2025. But if Ubisoft leans on spectacle over substance, it’ll be more of the same with fancier statues.
I’ve followed Evil Empire’s work since their Dead Cells updates, so seeing them at the helm of The Rogue Prince of Persia always gave me cautious optimism. Now, with the 1.0 launch set for August, it’s crunch time: will this be the game to finally give Prince of Persia new relevance? Early Access feedback clearly shaped its development, which is a great sign. Promises of narrative depth—a Prince fighting for redemption against shamanic Huns, wrestling with his own choices—hints at more than just another “die, retry, repeat” roguelite treadmill.
That said, the 2D roguelite space is absolutely packed. What sets this apart from, say, Hades II or the platforming precision of Celeste? If Evil Empire can combine slick movement with evolving story beats and bold build variety, it could find its own niche (especially with console support on the horizon). The next few updates will be crucial to see if this is truly the next big entry in the Prince’s saga, or a fun but fleeting diversion for genre fans.
I love it when Ubisoft gives smaller teams a platform, and Morbid Metal—from Screen Juice—certainly stands out visually, with stylized steel slicing through cyberpunk wastelands and overgrown ruins. The selling points are solid: semi-procedurally generated levels, juggling multiple characters (each with their own active abilities) in real-time, a study in stylish mayhem. But I’d be lying if I didn’t wonder: does Morbid Metal do enough to separate itself from the sea of indie roguelites? Swapping forms on the fly is flashy, but it’ll need tight combat and smarter encounter design to avoid feeling like Risk of Rain in heavy armor.
The big question: is Ubisoft just trend-chasing, or does Morbid Metal have the substance to back up its style? With platform details still TBA and the hack-and-slash roguelite genre getting crowded, here’s hoping Screen Juice brings enough fresh gimmicks to cut through the noise.
For core gamers, this PC Gaming Show reads like Ubisoft’s attempt to remind us they’re more than just the “Ubisoft Formula.” We’re getting at least one bold swing (Anno 117), a fan-driven refresh (Rogue Prince), and one promising indie wild card (Morbid Metal). But hype is easy during summer showcases—delivery is where things usually wobble. The genre diversity is genuine, but will Ubisoft back these teams with time and resources, or move on if launch windows get tough?
My advice: Keep these on your radar, but wait for real gameplay deep-dives and hands-on impressions. If Ubisoft follows through, we might just see one of their strongest years for creative variety in ages. If they play it too safe, expect some gorgeous trailers and little else.
Ubisoft’s PC Gaming Show showing is polished and promising, with a little something for everyone—from empire management to roguelite platforming to stylish cyberpunk slashing. But with crowded genres and big promises, it’s wise to look past the trailers: if these games bring innovation, they’ll be worth your time. If not, it’ll be another lesson in cautious optimism for gamers like us waiting for developers to deliver on their creative claims.
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