Anno 117: Pax Romana Reviews
"Anno 117: Pax Romana" is everything I hoped it would be. The campaign is short but entertaining, and the gameplay is easy to learn but difficult to master. Every detail feels well thought out and perfectly balanced. Thanks to countless quality-of-life features, I can concentrate on the exciting things: the layout of my city, efficient supply, and the expansion of my empire. The new mechanics force me to make interesting decisions. I only have two minor criticisms. First, Latium and Albion are pretty and lively, but a little too colorful and exaggerated for my taste. Second, I don't particularly enjoy the combat system with its sluggish controls. However, neither of these points detracts much from my overall impression – for me, “Pax Romana” is the best “Anno” game ever.
Review in German | Read full review
Anno 117: Pax Romana has utterly stolen my heart, refining the familiar Anno formula with deeper systems, richer choices, and a stunning Roman-Celtic setting that offers players more freedom, smarter progression, and just enough imperfections to remind you that even near-perfection can still feel human.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Smartly designed, impeccably produced, and tremendously enjoyable, Anno 117 is one of the best games in its genre this year.
Anno 117: Pax Romana is not just another entry in the franchise; it is one of the strongest. The Roman setting harmonises perfectly with Anno’s economic, social, and architectural systems. The citizen hierarchy is engaging, the economy is rich, the military layer is meaningful, and the cities are simply breathtaking to watch. It has occasional difficulty spikes and some busy interface moments, but these minor flaws are easily overshadowed by its brilliance. Whether you are a long-time Anno fan or simply someone who wants to build marble cities, raise legions, and shout “For Rome!” at your monitor, Pax Romana is a triumph worthy of an emperor’s laurel crown. I award Anno 117: Pax Romana the prestigious Platinum Thumb Culture Award!
Anno 117: Pax Romana is a remarkably expansive game that I can sit and play for hours, even with its little notifications telling me to take a break. This is one of the best games I've played all year. There is a great deal of depth and customization that really showcases player choice and creativity, with an unbeatable replayability.
“Anno 117” takes the best aspects about “Anno 1800” and polishes it to an unprecedented degree. Alongside a more in-depth second region and the addition of a research tree, deities, simple yet satisfying land battles and —of course— new productions chains, it’s a new gold standard for the franchise. I can see myself playing for years to come.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Ubisoft have done it again with the Anno series. It’s pleasing to see that the functionality with an Xbox controller is still fantastic. Ultimately, the game probably plays best on a PC with a mouse and keyboard, as this genre always does. But the experience isn’t hampered in the slightest, with great work on the UI and controller-friendly interfaces. If you, like me, enjoyed Anno 1800 and are looking for a similar experience in an alternative era, with different scenarios and pacing, you’ll adore your time with it.
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Review in German | Read full review
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.
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 French | 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.
Masterful Roman-themed city-builder with deep gameplay systems for enthusiasts and an accessible story campaign for casuals.
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.
As a newcomer to the Anno franchise, Anno 117: Pax Romana has completely blown me away. I’ve sunk days into this game, and still feel like I need weeks to get comfortable, and months to get confident – and I absolutely love that.
A fantastic new entry into the Anno series, Anno 117: Pax Romana takes players back further than any game in the series. With deep, engaging mechanics, this is a must-play for both veterans of and newcomers to the franchise!
Anno 117: Pax Romana mixes the best of RTS design with the signature charm of the Anno series, resulting in a game that not only lives up to its name but also ranks among the finest city builders we've seen in years.
Review in Persian | 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.
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
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.