Anno 117: Pax Romana Reviews
Anno 117: Pax Romana is a gorgeous antique city-builder that sucked me in for dozens of hours as I planned out my next district or simply watched the bustle along my aqueduct-accented boulevards. I think this series and I were always destined to hit it off, but we kept missing each other or meeting up at the wrong times. I really get Anno now, and I could hardly be more enthused. The fantastic, deep trade system with a side of exciting naval combat really seals the deal. I could take or leave the campaign, but I still don't think I've run out of things to do in the highly customizable endless mode. It may not quite be fit for a triumph, but is certainly worthy of a standing ovation.
I donned my proto-capitalist top hat and tails and got to work.
There are some pacing issues with the campaign, and I have questions about the longevity of single-player modes, but that does not take away from the fact that this is an excellent city builder that tells a Roman tale with the grandeur it deserves.
Anno 117: Pax Roma delivers the same satisfying city-building loop as Anno 1800 but offers little innovation beyond a Roman skin. While still fun and deep for newcomers, veterans may find it more like a reskin. The PS5 version suffers from mediocre graphics, hard to navigate UI, and awkward controller support - but keyboard and mouse are supported. Good game, flawed console port.
The gameplay is easy to learn but challenging to master, and in terms of bringing new audiences to Anno, I think this can do it, without overwhelming them with the systems. Still, that depth and challenge are there for those seeking it, especially for those among us with hundreds of hours in one save.
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Review in Italian | Read full review
Though not exactly gentle on new players, Anno 117: Pax Romana is not only one of the most stunning city-builders I have ever played, but it is also extremely rewarding.
Anno 117 is, as a whole, a fine game that will allow fans of the series to enter a new era and enjoy mechanics that are more complex than those of its predecessor. The soundtrack is great, and the graphics are very pleasing to the eye. However, I feel that Ubisoft has played it a little too safe and lazy. Although I personally love Anno 1800, I didn't necessarily want the new instalment to be so similar to it.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Anno 117: Pax Romana is a more measured, relaxed city builder than its predecessor, operating on a smaller scale while reshuffling key elements of the series' well-established formula to varying amounts of success. Both familiar and refreshing, it makes you think differently about how you build your cities.
The very best city builders make you want to learn about urban planning, and with Anno 117 it comes with a second benefit – it’ll make you want to learn more about what made the Ancient Roman cities tick as well.
Whether you're a series veteran or a newcomer, Anno 117: Pax Romana is a delightfully deep time-sink of a game. This gripping historical(ish) city-builder will have you hooked thanks to its complex drama and engrossing gameplay.
The latest installment of the popular strategy series has moved to the period of historical Rome. It brought various gameplay improvements and traditionally excellent management.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Anno 117: Pax Romana combines an engaging narrative with an excellent learning curve and deep, addictive gameplay. Although the visual details could be improved, it keeps the player fully immersed in city-building.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
The Anno series looks to the past but aims to the future with a balanced, substantial chapter, with few flaws and a lot of heart divided between Latinum and Albion.
Review in Italian | Read full review
A triumph of design and discipline, Anno 117: Pax Romana elevates the city-builder to an art form, where an empire of balance, built on trade, faith and foresight, rises above all.
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was Pax Romana. Every hour of craftsmanship shows in its design, every detail polished to perfection, creating a monument to the genre, crowned with a golden eagle and a banner to match. Flaws remain, of course, with minor bugs serving as reminders that no edifice is perfect. Yet the game still stands tall, and unlike the empire, your own Rome can rise much faster. Some may even expect it in a day.
Anno 117: Pax Romana marks a new chapter in Ubisoft's management saga. It is clear that the experience gained during the development of Anno 1800 has served to create a product that is polished and profound in every aspect, but also easy to access. Of course, newbies may feel a little lost at first among the many buttons on the interface, and there are a lot of tasks to complete. But Anno 117: Pax Romana is one of the best management games we've ever played. Now let's hear what Caesar wants...
Review in Italian | Read full review
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Review in German | Read full review
Anno 117: Pax Romana successfully expands the franchise, blending the depth of Anno 1800’s refined mechanics with a stunning Roman backdrop. Set across the provinces of Latium and Albion, it challenges players with complex city-building systems, resource management, and strategic decision-making, in an addicting way. The addition of diagonal construction, land combat, and an intricate research and religion system adds new layers of creativity and control. Anno 117: Pax Romana is one of the best city-building management games money can buy right now.
With major improvements over its predecessor, Anno 117: Pax Romana makes use of ray tracing technology for global illumination and reflections, creating a beautiful and immersive atmosphere. The gameplay has been refined, with the addition of new mechanics that add greater depth to the experience. However, not everything is perfect as the time required to complete each research task is quite long, which can lead to some fatigue due to the duration and the large number of points to unlock. Still, the game offers great rewards to the player.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review