Anno 117: Pax Romana is a delightful strategy game that combines so many cool elements (building, production, combat, diplomacy) that you can lose yourself in it for dozens of hours. It's the kind of game that could almost become a hobby in itself. The two settings (Romans and Albion) aren't dramatically different, but offer enough variety to allow for truly diverse gameplay. Pax Romana is well-designed graphically and runs without any significant issues, even on a less powerful PC (we played with a 2070GTX).
Objectively, it deserves an 8 or 8.5, probably more with the D.L.C.
But I'm balancing out the opinions of the haters who underrate the game without a shred of objectivity, just for the pleasure of bashing Ubisoft and whining about utterly ridiculous details. The game takes everything that works in Anno and adds new features. The game is very successful so far and will only get better with time. Go watch some gameplay videos or try it out for yourself to form your own opinion, because part of the community is toxic and will destroy the game for no reason.
Anno 117 brilliantly refreshes the series with a deeply immersive ancient-world **** refined management systems offer impressive strategic depth without feeling overwhelming. The art direction is stunning, bringing Roman provinces and frontier lands vividly to life.Progression feels smooth and rewarding, giving you a real sense of building a thriving empire.A standout entry in the franchise—accessible for newcomers yet rich enough for long-time fans
Anno 117: Pax Romana brings the series confidently into Ancient Rome with polished visuals, smart city-building systems, and a richly realized setting. Its refreshed mechanics and strong sense of place make it a rewarding and atmospheric return for fans of the franchise.
After dozens of hours among estates, aqueducts, and legions, Anno 117: Pax Romana has convinced us on one point: the Anno formula still works brilliantly. The decision to move the action to the heart of the Roman Empire isn't just an aesthetic gimmick, but a clever way to shift perspective without sacrificing what the series does best: the slow and thoughtful construction of economic equilibrium. The sandbox mode is, as always, the center of the experience and the place where the game shines, thanks to a hypnotic pace and excellent variety of situations. While some mechanics add more color than depth, the title is hard to criticize: less revolutionary than some had hoped, sure, but more refined and cohesive than we might have expected from such a dramatic leap in time. Pax Romana is the confirmation of a studio that understands its audience, respects players' time, and continues to improve its work methodically and consistently. Those seeking a deep and well-constructed management challenge, with the joy of building an empire brick by brick, will find fertile ground here. Those hoping for a revolution, however, will likely have to wait for the next iteration. But for now, the Senate can applaud.
For Anno fans, it's a must-have. For new players, this is a great chance to dive into the series - the fascinating ancient Rome setting and the deep mechanics make it totally worth pushing through the initial learning curve. Anno 117: Pax Romana will be consuming my time for weeks, months, maybe even years to come.
Anno 117: Pax Romana is a beautiful and refined city builder that’s almost impossible to put down. It’s more approachable than its predecessor and is full of quality of life changes that fans will love, but it undeniably lacks the same level of depth and complexity - especially if you’re starting out in the Albion setting.
Anno 117 Pax Romana is a structurally sound colony builder set in a Romanized world filled with flair and gravitas. For those who struggle to find joy in expanding their influence, the busy UI may disrupt the experience and confuse. It’s a game designed for risk-takers who won't hesitate to make tough choices to reap the rewards of a tantalizingly broad array of intuitive city-building mechanics.
I’ve played Anno for years, and Anno 117 is easily the best entry the series has ever had. The Roman setting fits perfectly, the systems are smoother than ever, and the city-building loop is incredibly addictive. It feels like the developers finally struck the ideal balance between depth, clarity and atmosphere. Performance is solid, the quality-of-life upgrades are huge, and the game is just absurdly fun to sink hours into. I genuinely can’t wait to see what the expansions add to this world. 10/10 — the definitive Anno experience.
Nothing special, really. I was very excited for the new installment, but considering the development took more than five years, the improvements over the previous game Anno 1800 are honestly weak. Even the graphics didn’t move forward much — in some details they actually look worse. I don’t understand what eats so much performance (I have a 4070 Ti S). So far I’m disappointed, but until the Manor Lords update comes out, I’ll still give it a chance…
Anno 117: Pax Romana is a fascinating entry in the city-builder genre. One that shows genuine potential and moments of brilliance, but also exposes its rough edges in ways that are hard to overlook. On the positive side, it is a modern city builder with solid micromanagement systems. There’s a satisfying level of control, and the core gameplay loop scratches that familiar Anno itch. In a time where city builders are booming, and genuinely evolving, it’s nice to see Pax Romana try to bring something new to the table. But that’s also where the problems begin. We’re in a renaissance of city builders right now, and with so many high-quality titles out there, the bar is simply higher than ever. Pax Romana’s improvements stand out, but its shortcomings stand out even more. Building placement isn’t as fluid or intuitive as it needs to be. The design language feels dated. The characters lack polish and liveliness. And the graphics… while serviceable… just don’t hold up against its competitors. Combat? Better elsewhere. Story? Other games do it significantly better. The campaign was shockingly short. I finished it in about six hours, which left the entire experience feeling more like a prologue than a full game. It borrows some of the spirit of Anno 1800, but without the same depth or staying power. But the biggest disappointment for me was the content gating. I bought the deluxe edition expecting, you know… the deluxe edition. Yet a significant chunk of the experience is locked behind online systems. As someone who prefers to play offline, I can’t access the Hall of Fame or unlock features that I would’ve earned effortlessly if I were connected. That decision alone is baffling and frankly unacceptable. And yeah, it’s Ubisoft, so I shouldn’t be surprised, but it still sours the whole package. Because of that, I can’t fully recommend Pax Romana. It has something unique going on, and I genuinely think it’s worth trying for a few hours just to see if it clicks. You may enjoy the vibe and the direction. But for me, it ultimately became another Ubisoft-flavored disappointment, one I’d suggest refunding if it doesn’t hook you early. A promising game that just doesn’t live up to the era it’s releasing into.
This game has been unplayable in multiplayer since its release. It’s the first time an Anno title, normally designed with multiplayer in mind, has not been playable at launch. Shame on you, Ubisoft. The fix is planned but doesn’t seem to be a priority. No worries though, Ubisoft ....you’ve given me the time to write my very first negative review of the Anno saga.
SummaryIn the latest instalment of the award-winning Anno strategy franchise, it’s your destiny to shape the Roman Empire in the year 117AD. As governor, will you encourage economic growth or expand your rule through dominance? Lead with rebellion or unite a diverse culture? The cost of peace is yours to decide.