Anno 117: Pax Romana

“Ubisoft have built upon the foundations of its immensely satisfying city-building blueprint with a winning retheme, but a few too many technical and interface issues mean Anno 117: Pax Romana falls just shy of a recommendation.”

“Anno 117: Pax Romana is an incredibly rich historical strategy game that adapts to whatever the player needs it to be. Whether that's a cosy city-builder offering boundless customisation, a deep economy management sim, or a competitive RTS, Ubisoft Mainz ticks all the boxes with flair.”

“Anno 117: Pax Romana is a fantastic new entry in a relatively niche genre that offers more accessible gameplay without sacrificing the depth that the city-building genre is known (and loved) for.”

“Like the Roman Empire itself, the game is a perfect platform for inevitable expansion. Meanwhile, there’s plenty of quality content for fans of the genre.”

“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.”

“Polished city-building that goes the extra mile to create character and meaning to your block-dropping feats.”

“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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“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.”

“Anno 117: Pax Romana is the city builder comfort food: you love it the way it is and you don't want surprises in it. The user interface should be thought at design masterclass as a case study, while the campaign should be brought as an example of what not to do with a story.”

“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.”

“Anno 117 doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but the addition of land combat and the ability to further customize your cities with diagonal roads and decorations brings even more satisfaction to the successful formula of a strategy series with a gameplay formula like no other.”

“I donned my proto-capitalist top hat and tails and got to work.”