Key Highlights
- Anno 117: Pax Romana is a city-building game that takes players through the complexities of Roman trade and governance.
- The game features detailed trade systems, naval combat, and an intricate social hierarchy for citizens.
- Citizens in Anno 117 can promote up to high-class positions based on their proximity to prestige buildings and access to goods.
- Players can explore different regions, including the summer paradise of Latium and the foggy, rocky Albion (Britain).
Anno 117: A Detailed Look at Roman City-Building
As the sun rises on the cobbled market street that ascends from bustling docks to a new forum high above, Anno 117: Pax Romana offers players a delightful and immersive experience in Roman city-building. This installment of the long-running series, known for its complex economic systems, takes a step back from previous iterations with an emphasis on trade, naval warfare, and cultural blending.
The game’s basic routine is familiar to fans of the Anno series. Players start by building modest residences for hardworking liberti, or freed people, who can rise through social ranks from commoners to snobby patricians demanding exotic goods from around the world. The promotion system is influenced not only by access to goods but also by proximity to prestigious buildings like theaters and shrines, as well as away from unpleasant ones such as charcoal burners.
Trade Systems and City Design
The detailed trade system in Anno 117 is a standout feature. Players can set up production chains for luxury goods that might require resources from multiple islands, then ship them across the world map from one region to another. Each delivery requires individual ships assigned to specific routes, allowing players to track and reroute their shipments with precision.
The game’s interface offers a well-organized way to manage these complex logistics, creating incentives for building smaller villages that specialize in particular goods as well as warehouses and waystations to speed things up. For instance, setting up a cheese island far from the main hub can lead to more efficient trade if players establish nearby colonies focused on cheese production.
Naval Combat and Ground Warfare
Anno 117 excels in its naval combat mechanics, requiring players to quickly master maneuvers against increasingly vicious pirates. Maneuvering ships feels weighty and realistic, with differences based on whether they rely on sails, oars, or both. The game also offers interesting ground combat options for those who wish to defend their cities from land-based threats.
Story Campaign and Endless Mode
The story campaign in Anno 117 is an extended tutorial that took the reviewer less than 10 hours to complete. It focuses on either Marcus or Marcia, with the latter providing a “madcap” scenario where players take over governor duties of their not-dead husband. While the storyline may not be Shakespearean, it does offer some intriguing intrigue and memorable characters.
The majority of playtime was spent in the endless mode, which allows starting in either Albion or Latium with various difficulty levels. Players can also choose from a set of rival governors with different personalities and playstyles, making for compelling adversaries or valuable trade partners.
Conclusion
Anno 117: Pax Romana is a beautiful antique city-builder that has captured the reviewer’s attention over dozens of hours. Despite some classic Anno issues like unwieldy large economies prone to death spirals, the game excels in its detailed trade systems and exciting naval combat. While the campaign may not be groundbreaking, the endless mode offers a wealth of content for those seeking more.
