Anno 117: Roman Empire or Bust?! You Decide!

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In the year 117 AD: “Pax Romana” marks the latest addition to Ubisoft’s extended “Anno” series. This city-building franchise takes a historic leap with its debut in Ancient Rome, placing players as Roman Emperors responsible for constructing a thriving metropolis from its foundations. Featuring both land and sea battles along with an immersive storyline where player decisions carry weight, Ubisoft Mainz has aimed to create the most comprehensive and detailed installment in the series yet.

At a recent Ubisoft event, Game Rant had the opportunity to play Anno 117: Pax Romana for several hours, and it appears that this installment promises to be the most intricate addition to the series yet. The game is brimming with an extraordinary amount of detail in every aspect, making it a captivating prospect for those who have long dreamt of crafting their own Roman Empire. Ubisoft’s upcoming city builder is sure to delight fans of the genre.

Anno 117: Pax Romana Eases Players Into its Vast World

Following a short opening scene, players are given the choice of picking one of two main characters, either a brother or sister, each possessing unique characteristics. The choices made throughout the game can greatly influence its outcome, sometimes determining whether it ends peacefully or escalates into conflict. It’s likely that these characters will have different dialogue options when interacting with other rulers and non-player characters (NPCs) as the story unfolds.

Following this, the game allows you to explore the central western Italian region known as Latium, where Rome was initially established. This vast area is dotted with coastlines, verdant hills, and rivers that offer ample possibilities for expansion. Abundant in forests for wood harvesting, rivers for harnessing water power, and ports for securing trade routes, players will find numerous chances to discover hidden resources while striving to construct a thriving, prosperous civilization. Gathered resources can either be utilized for construction or traded to generate income, if necessary.

Core Attributes in Pax Romana

There are eight main attributes for the player to keep an eye on:

  • Money (quite simply how wealthy the player is)
  • Population (how big the city is and how many residents it has)
  • Happiness (resident morale depending on things like food, shelter and entertainment)
  • Fire Safety (self-explanatory)
  • Health (how healthy the population is, avoiding plagues and pandemics is key)
  • Knowledge (how educated the population is, and how fast new discoveries are made)
  • Belief (how much faith the population currently has in their deity)
  • Prestige (the reputation of the player among the population and other emperors)

To ensure the comfort and well-being of inhabitants, essentials such as water supply and food must be provided initially. As their population increases and they develop further, their requirements become more intricate, demanding more attention and resources from the player. The complexity can be quite remarkable at times. For instance, a pig farm might be necessary for producing items like soap that maintain cleanliness among residents. However, situating the pig farm too near the inhabitants could lead to their dissatisfaction due to the odor emanating from the pigs.

Pax Romana Offers Rewarding Experience With a Steep Learning Curve

The genre of city-building games isn’t always straightforward or welcoming, especially for beginners. However, Anno 117: Pax Romana strives to make the learning experience smoother by providing tutorials initially, then gradually increasing complexity. Regardless, the game can feel overwhelming in its early stages. The learning curve is steep, but once you get past that initial stage, the game’s intricate mechanics begin to become clearer, and figuring out how they all work together is both gratifying and occasionally therapeutic.

As soon as the player sets up a thriving Roman city in Anno 117: Pax Romana, the game’s stunning visuals truly shine. The bustling, dynamic city teems with life, showcasing a realistic day/night cycle and varied weather conditions that add to the atmosphere. Residents are constantly engaged in their daily activities, from scholarly pursuits to leisurely pastimes. The level of immersion is remarkable, as every facet of Roman culture is represented. Players can construct libraries and schools to enhance residents’ wisdom, or erect taverns for amusement, which boosts morale. In the full version of the game, more structures like the coliseum will be available for construction.

Players Can Choose to Avoid or Embrace Combat in Pax Romana

You can construct a military base where you can learn to train soldiers for both land and sea battles. However, it’s important to note that acquiring troops isn’t cheap – they need food, water, and leisure activities. Despite this, Ubisoft Mainz emphasized that fighting isn’t mandatory; players can opt for diplomatic talks to avoid conflict if they prefer. Additionally, the choice of deity for your citizens to worship is significant in ancient Roman culture. Each god offers unique benefits – for instance, choosing Mars, the Roman war god, could boost soldier morale and combat skills.

In a more conversational tone: Building a military base lets you train soldiers for land and sea battles, but it’s pricey since troops need food, water, and entertainment. Don’t worry though, fighting isn’t compulsory – you can always choose to negotiate instead. In ancient Roman society, the deity your citizens worship plays a significant role. Picking Mars, the war god, would enhance soldier morale and combat abilities.

In this latest version of Anno, there’s an exciting new feature called the “Discovery Tree.” It operates much like a conventional skill tree, enabling players to acquire fresh advantages and capabilities once they reach specific achievements. There are more than 150 benefits to unlock, such as new road varieties for efficient cargo and resource transportation, and assorted weapon types for soldiers. This added freedom empowers the player to concentrate on their preferred aspects of the game.

The “discovery tree” breaks down into three primary branches: Economic (affecting aspects such as resource generation), Social (shaping the behavior and traditions of inhabitants, including their cultural practices and religious beliefs), and Military (enabling access to novel ship designs, weaponry, and defensive structures for players).

The World of Pax Romana is Vast

Indeed, although the game only displays Latium as a location for now, it’s certainly not the sole spot in the game world. Gamers can dispatch their ships on voyages to discover other islands and regions. Occasionally, these areas may house hostile pirates and shady characters who will need resolution, either diplomatically or through force. The objective of Pax Romana is to provide players with the freedom to expand organically. Each building type in this game stands out distinctly from its neighbors, making them readily identifiable. The interface isn’t crowded, and the menu arrangement feels intuitive. In just a few hours, we managed to establish a modest but functioning city, leaving us eager for more when the complete game releases in winter 2025.

Game Rant was provided travel and lodging for the purposes of this preview.

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2025-05-19 19:18