Anno 117: Pax Romana Review – Build Your Roman Legacy
This Anno 117 Pax Romana review is based on an early preview, diving into Ubisoft’s latest city-building gem set in the heart of the Roman Empire. If you’re a gamer who loves crafting sprawling cities, managing intricate economies, and soaking in rich historical vibes, this game might just be your next obsession. Let’s break it down with a gamer’s lens, keeping it chill and packed with the juicy details you need to know.
A Fresh Take on City-Building Glory
Ever wondered what it’s like to forge a thriving metropolis in the Roman Empire? Anno 117 Pax Romana drops you into two wildly different provinces—Latium and Albion—each with its own vibe and challenges. This isn’t just another city-builder; it’s a love letter to strategy, history, and that sweet rush of watching your empire grow. Our hands-on time with the Anno 117 Pax Romana preview left us hyped at gggamer.net, but does it have enough new tricks to stand out from Anno 1800? Let’s dive in.
Latium vs. Albion Two Worlds, One Epic Game
The game kicks off with a big choice: start in the lush, Mediterranean paradise of Latium or the rugged, rain-soaked wilds of Albion. Latium’s got that classic Roman vibe—think terracotta rooftops, lavender fields, and sunny hills. Albion, on the other hand, feels like a Celtic fever dream with dark forests, marshlands, and constant drizzle. As someone who vibes with moody, wet landscapes (Scotland, anyone?), Albion felt like home, but it’s a tougher beast to tame.
This dual-province setup is a game-changer. Unlike Anno 1800, where you started in a European hub before colonizing tropical outposts, Anno 117 Pax Romana lets you pick your starting point. Your choice shapes trade, resources, and even your city’s vibe. It’s a fresh twist that makes every playthrough feel unique, and it’s got me itching to see how these provinces play off each other in the full release.
Building Your Empire: Familiar Yet Fresh
At its core, Anno 117: Pax Romana sticks to the series’ tried-and-true formula: gather resources, meet your citizens’ needs, and upgrade your settlements to unlock fancier buildings. Timber’s your go-to material, sourced from logging camps and processed into building supplies. Roads start as dirt paths, and warehouses keep your goods flowing. It’s classic Anno, but there’s a new layer of strategy that spices things up.
Production buildings now impact nearby structures’ mood and prosperity. For example, plopping a tunic spinner near houses boosts their income, but a charcoal burner will tank their happiness. This forces you to think hard about your city’s layout—something that’ll make urban planners and strategy nerds grin. In my Anno 117 Pax Romana preview, this added depth made every decision feel weighty, especially in Albion’s tricky marshlands.
Albion’s Unique Challenges: Marshlands and Boardwalks
Albion is where Anno 117: Pax Romana really flexes its creativity. Its wetlands aren’t just for show—they’re a core part of your strategy. You’ll build Celtic structures like reed farms and cattle pens on stilts in the marshes, connected by timber-hungry boardwalks. These boardwalks are a logistical puzzle, demanding more resources than Latium’s simple roads and forcing you to balance space and efficiency. It’s tough but rewarding, turning your settlement into a semi-aquatic masterpiece that feels straight out of ancient history.
Cultural Choices: Roman or Celtic?
Here’s where things get spicy. As you upgrade your settlements in Albion, you face a big decision: embrace a Romano-Celtic lifestyle or stick to traditional Celtic ways. Romano-Celts crave imperial luxuries like fancy cuisine and mirrors, while Celtic purists want cheese and bracelets. Each path unlocks different production chains and city layouts. Go Roman, and you might drain marshes for a sprawling metropolis. Stay Celtic, and you’ll weave your city into the natural landscape. The best part? You can switch paths at each upgrade tier, keeping your strategy flexible.
This cultural split adds a layer of replayability that’s got me hooked. Will your Albion become a Roman stronghold or a Celtic haven? The choice is yours, and it’ll shape your city’s look, feel, and economy.
Does It Push the Genre Forward?
So, does Anno 117: Pax Romana reinvent the city-building wheel? Not quite. It leans heavily on Anno 1800’s systems, which might feel safe for some. Latium’s Roman aesthetic is gorgeous but familiar, and I wasn’t blown away by its innovation. Albion, though, is where the game shines, with its unique marshland mechanics and cultural choices. My preview time was short, so I’m curious to see how deep the Romano-Celtic vs. Celtic divide goes and whether Latium gets its own bold twist in the full game.
Why Gamers Should Care
If you’re a fan of Anno 1800 or love city-builders like Cities: Skylines or Civilization, Anno 117 Pax Romana is shaping up to be a must-play. Its blend of historical immersion, strategic depth, and dual-province gameplay makes it a standout. The preview left me hungry for more, and with Ubisoft’s track record, I’m betting the full game will deliver. Whether you’re plotting a Roman utopia or wrestling with Albion’s wilds, this is one empire worth building.
