The Roman Empire. A time of mighty legions, architectural wonders, and complex trade routes. And now, the next instalment in the beloved Anno strategy franchise, Anno 117: Pax Romana, is taking us back to this monumental era. Forget the Industrial Revolution—it’s time to don your toga and govern a province at the height of the Empire!

With a release date set for November 13, 2025, and a recent demo giving us a tantalising taste, here’s why Anno 117 is poised to be a glorious return to form for the series.

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The Allure of the Ancient World

Anno 117 transports players to the year 117 AD, a period of relative peace and prosperity known as the Pax Romana. This setting is the earliest in the franchise’s history, providing a fresh canvas for city-building, trade, and expansion.

What sets this entry apart immediately is the choice of starting provinces:

• Latium: The Roman heartland. Think sun-drenched, fertile plains and classical Roman architecture. This offers a more traditional and perhaps easier start for newcomers.
• Albion: The Celtic province, a wild, untamed frontier. Expect grey skies, marshlands, and a population with a unique culture to manage. This region promises a more challenging start, forcing you to adapt your Roman ways to the local environment.

The core of the game is managing the clash of civilisations. As a Roman Governor, you must decide: will you fully embrace and enforce Roman culture, or will you allow local traditions to flourish? Your choices will have a significant impact on your population’s happiness, your relationship with the Emperor, and the overall narrative.

Core Gameplay: Building a Roman Dream

The classic Anno gameplay loop of BUILD, TRADE, EXPAND remains, but with compelling new layers:

1. Complex Needs & Production Chains: You’ll be tasked with establishing intricate production chains to supply your populace, from basic food like porridge and fish to luxury goods and public services. A new Optional Needs system introduces more player agency—you can satisfy basic needs in multiple ways, each offering different bonuses to your city.
2. The Governor’s Villa: This central structure is the first you build on any settled island. It can be extended with modules for bonuses (like specialist slots), and its defence is paramount, as it is a key target in military engagements.
3. Active Research and Deities: Gone are the purely passive tech trees. Anno 117 introduces a new Active Research System tied to Knowledge Points generated by your populace. This allows you to research and unlock new buildings, upgrades, and military units, charting your own path for your province. Furthermore, a new Faith system allows you to select a patron deity for each island, granting powerful, customised bonuses to specific supply chains.
4. Land and Naval Warfare: For those who prefer to govern with a strong hand, the military aspect is more fleshed out. The game introduces land troops (archers and swordsmen) and tactical land-based combat, complementing the naval warfare the series is known for. You can wage war, sign peace pacts, and navigate complex diplomacy with rival governors, where your dialogue choices directly influence their actions.

A New Era of Strategy

Ubisoft Mainz, the veteran studio behind the franchise, appears committed to both honouring the legacy of Anno 1800 and introducing fresh concepts. The modular design, simplified early-game management, and the crucial cultural choices ensure that Anno 117 is both welcoming to new Governors and deeply engaging for veteran players.

Whether you choose to spread the glory of Rome across the Celtic wilds or focus on maximising the economic output of the Roman heartland, your legacy as Governor will define the future of the Empire.

Mark your calendars for November 13, 2025. The age of the Roman Empire beckons, and the cost of peace is yours to decide.

What are you most excited to build in Anno 117: Pax Romana? Let us know in the comments!

Anno 117: Pax Romana https://www.ubisoft.com/en-gb/game/anno/117-pax-romana

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