Anno 117 Pax Romana Review – A Roman Twist on City‑Building Strategy

Introduction

Anno 117: Pax Romana marks Ubisoft’s latest entry in the long‑running Anno franchise, reimagining the series’ signature city‑building and economic simulation within the grandeur of the Roman Empire. The game retains the core Anno formula—balancing production chains, population needs, and trade—while introducing fresh mechanics, a rich historical setting, and a more approachable level of strategic depth. This review explores whether the title delivers a compelling experience for both series veterans and newcomers to the genre.

Core Gameplay Loop

At its heart, Anno 117 remains a city‑building strategy game. Players start with a modest settlement and gradually expand into a sprawling metropolis by:

• Managing resources: Harvesting raw materials, processing them in workshops, and storing the outputs in warehouses.
• Balancing the economy: Keeping income higher than expenses while meeting the diverse needs of various citizen tiers.
• Satisfying population demands: Each class of resident—workers, artisans, scholars—requires specific goods and services to stay healthy and productive.

The game’s UI presents these systems clearly, avoiding the clutter that can overwhelm newcomers, yet offering enough depth to keep seasoned players engaged.

Campaign and Sandbox Modes

Anno 117 offers two primary ways to play:

• Campaign Mode – A story‑driven experience that doubles as an interactive tutorial. Players choose either a male or female governor, each with slight narrative variations, and navigate Roman political intrigue while unlocking the game’s mechanics.
• Sandbox Mode – The classic open‑ended playground where you can focus solely on city planning, trade, and warfare without narrative constraints. Multiplayer co‑op is also supported, allowing friends to build together.

While the campaign can feel restrictive at times, it provides a polished introduction to the new Roman features and a satisfying narrative backdrop for those who enjoy a bit of drama.

Roman Setting and Regional Diversity

The game distinguishes itself with two distinct provinces:

• Latium – A picturesque Roman heartland featuring rolling hills, fertile plains, and classic architecture.
• Albian – A rugged northern region inhabited by Celtic tribes, characterized by marshes, cliffs, and a harsher climate.

These regions are not merely aesthetic; they introduce cultural dynamics. In Albian, you decide how aggressively to assimilate the native Celtic population. Their citizens produce unique goods, and their level of Romanization influences production efficiency and loyalty.

Economy, Population, and Religion

Population Management

Citizens are divided into tiers, each with distinct production capabilities and consumption patterns. Upgrading a citizen tier unlocks new buildings and higher output, but also raises expectations for luxury goods and services.

Religious Influence

Players can assign a patron deity to each island, granting specific bonuses:

• Mars – Boosts military recruitment and combat effectiveness.
• Neptune – Enhances naval production and fisheries.
• Minerva – Improves research and technological progress.
• Celtic deities – Offer region‑specific benefits, adding flavor to the Albian province.

Choosing a single deity across all islands amplifies its effects, encouraging strategic alignment of religious policy with your overall playstyle.

Building, Aesthetics, and Customization

The visual design receives a major upgrade. Buildings can be rotated, placed diagonally, and customized with a variety of Roman arches, hedges, statues, and brazers. This flexibility prevents the monotonous grid layout common in many city‑builders and allows players to craft visually striking cities that feel organic rather than scripted.

Warfare and Naval Systems

Combat is optional but well‑integrated. Players develop a research tree covering both economic upgrades and military technologies. Naval warfare stands out:

• Ship designs can be tailored with faster rowers or enhanced armaments.
• The presence of numerous islands makes maritime trade and conflict a natural part of expansion.

While the combat depth does not rival dedicated war games, it offers enough strategic choices to keep battles meaningful without overwhelming the core city‑building focus.

Technical Performance and Platform Support

On PC, Anno 117 runs smoothly with crisp, bright visuals and detailed textures. The game shows no major bugs or performance hitches in early testing. Ubisoft’s launcher is required, which may add a small friction point for some users. Console performance has not been fully evaluated, though the PS5 version reportedly supports mouse and keyboard input, a useful feature for players accustomed to PC controls.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Rich Roman setting with two distinct provinces.
• Balanced depth: strategic enough for veterans, accessible for newcomers.
• Highly customizable building aesthetics.
• Optional but engaging warfare and naval mechanics.
• Strong visual and audio design that enhances immersion.

Cons

• Campaign can feel restrictive for players who prefer sandbox freedom.
• Ubisoft Connect login required, which may cause access issues.
• Limited console performance data at launch.

Conclusion

Anno 117: Pax Romana successfully marries the beloved Anno economic simulation with a fresh historical theme. The game delivers a well‑crafted balance of depth and approachability, offering engaging city‑building, nuanced cultural mechanics, and satisfying visual detail. While the campaign may not satisfy players seeking unrestricted creativity, the sandbox mode more than compensates. For fans of the series and newcomers drawn to the Roman era, Anno 117 provides a compelling experience that feels both familiar and revitalized.

If you enjoy strategic city‑building with a historical twist, this title is well worth adding to your library.