Anno 117: Pax Romana - Features and Release Date Confirmed
The latest installment in Ubisoft's long-running city-building series, Anno 117: Pax Romana, is on the horizon, taking players back to antiquity for the first time in a mainline Anno title. Since our last report, we have received a lot of new information. Developed by Ubisoft Mainz, the game aims to refine the series' core mechanics while introducing new features tailored to its Roman Empire setting. Here's a detailed look at what has been revealed about Anno 117: Pax Romana.
When is the Release Date?
Anno 117: Pax Romana is set to launch on November 13, 2025. It will be available on PC via Steam, the Epic Games Store, and Ubisoft Connect, as well as on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
What is the Setting?
The game transports players to 117 AD, during the period known as the "Pax Romana," an era of relative peace, stability, and economic growth within the Roman Empire. Players will assume the role of a Roman Governor tasked with developing provinces.
A significant new element for the series is the choice of starting province. Players can begin in Latium, the heartland of the Roman Empire, or the untamed Celtic lands of Albion. This choice is intended to offer distinct cultural paths and gameplay experiences, influencing city development and production chains.
What are the New Features?
Ubisoft has detailed several key additions and changes for Anno 117: Pax Romana:
Active Pause: A highly requested quality-of-life feature, active pause allows players to issue commands, construct buildings, and blueprint even when the game is paused. This is a departure from previous Anno titles where pausing would halt all player actions, offering more time for strategic planning in complex late-game scenarios.
Meaningful Production Building Placement: The placement of certain production buildings will now have direct, tangible effects on surrounding residential areas. This goes beyond simple efficiency, potentially offering income bonuses or other buffs to nearby homes, thus encouraging a more integrated approach to city planning.
Return of Land and Modular Naval Combat: After a more limited presence in Anno 1800, land combat is making a full return. Players will be able to raise armies and engage in ground battles. Naval combat is also being expanded with modular units, allowing for customization of ships. For players who prefer to focus on economic aspects, there will be an option for AI auto-combat.
The Discovery Tree: A new research system is being introduced, allowing players to unlock technologies across economic, civic, and military domains. Some research may even enable production buildings to generate "knowledge," creating new interconnected systems.
Deeper Choice-Driven Storytelling: The game aims for more impactful player decisions. As a Governor, choices regarding adherence to Romanization or respect for local Celtic traditions will influence the narrative and the development of provinces, shaping a unique player story.
Modular Building Development: The system for constructing and developing buildings, particularly those related to resources, will offer more flexibility through modular elements.
Enhanced Visuals and Immersion: Anno 117 features improvements in visual fidelity, including terrain-adaptive buildings that dynamically adjust their appearance when placed on different inclines, and more detailed animations for citizens within the cities.
Religion and Patron Deities: A dynamic religion and belief system is being introduced. As players progress, they will discover new deities, each offering unique effects on their population. For example, worshipping Neptune might reduce fishermen's fear of the sea, leading to larger catches.
Non-Grid Building (Partially): While Anno is known for its grid-based city layouts, some reports indicate that Anno 117 will offer more flexibility in building placement, allowing for construction of some elements diagonally and softening the rigid linearity of progression seen in earlier titles. Ornaments and their groundplates are also now separated, allowing for more artistic freedom in city design.
What to Expect from Gameplay?
The core Anno loop of building intricate production chains, managing complex logistics, and expanding a thriving civilization remains at the heart of Anno 117. However, the new features aim to introduce more strategic depth and player choice. The shift to a Roman setting allows for distinct architectural marvels like aqueducts and coliseums, alongside considerations unique to the period, such as balancing the demands of the Emperor with the needs of diverse populations.
The developers have also stated a focus on improving the starting experience for new players while maintaining the series' signature complexity for veterans. This suggests a more approachable initial learning curve, potentially through more guided narratives and context within the chosen starting provinces.
As the release date draws closer, more gameplay details and insights from Ubisoft are anticipated. Anno 117: Pax Romana positions itself as a significant evolution for the franchise, promising a rich and engaging city-building experience within a highly requested historical setting.
