The German Ubisoft Mainz has revealed the next chapter in the long-running series of strategic city-builder games: Anno 117: Pax Romana. This time we enter the year 117 AD, a period known as a time of peace and prosperity when the Empire was at its peak.
Unlike the industrial revolution in Anno 1800, where cities grew in clouds of factory smoke, railway lines, and colonial trade routes, Anno 117 focuses on a different form of progress: the Roman expansion of culture, religion, and power. The player takes on the role of a Roman governor and can choose between two starting provinces – Latium, the heart of the Roman Empire, or distant Albion, where the challenge is to maintain a balance between Roman assimilation and local Celtic traditions. It is this duality – to build a "Romanized" world or to preserve diversity – that makes this game special and thematically richer than previous installments. This dilemma opens up completely new possibilities in gameplay.
This installment introduces a range of mechanical novelties. For example, diagonal building, allowing you to move away from streets created at right angles and now build at a 45-degree angle, which opens up space for more creative cities. If only this option had existed in Anno 2070. My little trucks for loading goods from farms and mines would be grateful. :) Buildings now have local influence – farms, workshops, and industrial buildings directly affect the environment – the bonus or minus depends on your planning. This somewhat reminds me of the good old Caesar III, where you had to be careful not to build residential buildings too close to workshops, as this negatively impacted the desirability of living in that neighborhood, etc. Through religion and culture, you will shape the stability and identity of the province. When it comes to battles, land and naval conflicts return, but with a focus on balance. This means that war will not dominate over city building. It is worth noting that modding will also be available from day one of the game's release, which I believe will delight many fans of the series.
Differences between Anno 117 and Anno 1800
The success of Anno 1800 showed how much players love returning to historical eras. The industrial revolution, complex trade networks, and class systems were the foundation of one of the best sequels in the series. However, its complexity could deter new players. Anno 117: Pax Romana aims differently – while retaining depth, it opens the door
to new players. The historical theme of the Roman Empire is more intuitive and appealing to a broader audience, and the introductory provinces (Latium and Albion) are designed as an accessible yet strategically rich start. While Anno 1800 celebrated industrial growth, Pax Romana explores cultural integration and governance of provinces.
The creative director of the game says:
“Anno 1800 was a story about industry and growth, while Anno 117 is about identity and culture. These are two completely different paradigms, but both are equally Anno.”
Initial impressions from critics and players say that Ubisoft Mainz balances between the old and the new: enough depth to satisfy veterans, and enough accessibility to attract new fans. If everything goes according to plan, Anno 117: Pax Romana could become one of the most important strategy titles of the decade.
The Roman Empire lives again – this time on our gaming screen.
As the developers said at Anno Union:
“We wanted to give players the opportunity to explore two different sides of the Empire – the familiar, urban Rome and the distant, wild lands. This is the foundation for diversity in gameplay and story.”
From September 2 to 16, 2025, a free demo version will be available on PC (Ubisoft Connect, Steam, and Epic Games Store). The demo offers a sandbox experience with two population levels, but without combat and multiplayer. Still, prepare some space – the game takes up more than 90 GB! The demo lasts only one hour per save, so be careful how you use your gameplay time.
The full version is scheduled for release on November 13, 2025, for Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Series S.
