Get ready to dive into the ancient world of city-building with Anno 117, a game that promises to challenge even the most seasoned strategists. But here's the twist: while it introduces fresh mechanics, it feels more like a polished evolution rather than a groundbreaking revolution. Is it worth your time? Let’s find out.
Anno 117 is the latest installment in the beloved Anno series, offering a rich and diverse city-building experience set in the Roman era. After spending roughly 15 hours with the game, it’s clear that this title is massive—so much so that we couldn’t even scratch the surface during our preview. From an unfinished Colosseum to an extensive research tree waiting to be explored, Anno 117 is a game that demands your attention and rewards your patience.
But here’s where it gets controversial: While the game introduces new features like starting in Latium or Albion (ancient Rome vs. modern-day Britain), some players might argue that these choices don’t drastically alter the gameplay. Albion, for instance, is touted as the more challenging region, but even beginners can navigate its swampy terrain and unique mechanics, such as producing eels or draining the land for valuable building space. Is this a missed opportunity for deeper complexity, or a smart move to keep the game accessible? You decide.
The core gameplay sticks to the classic Anno formula: production buildings generate goods through multi-stage chains, which are used to meet resident needs and expand your city. However, Anno 117 adds a layer of strategy with its area effects. For example, placing residential buildings near a sardine hut boosts income, while a marble mason increases prestige but reduces health. This turns city planning into a puzzle, encouraging players to integrate production buildings into their main settlements for visual variety. And this is the part most people miss: While the game encourages mixed-use areas, it stops short of allowing true modular construction, like workshops and stores on the first floor of buildings. Would this have made cities more diverse and dynamic? Let us know in the comments.
One of the standout features is the aqueduct system, which allows players to transport water from mountains to lower areas, boosting resident happiness, health, and farm productivity. Poor planning here can lead to costly demolitions, adding an intriguing layer of challenge. Additionally, Anno 117 introduces 45-degree road angles, a small but visually impactful change that lets players create more diverse city layouts.
The research system is another game-changer, divided into economy, civil society, and military branches. Unlocking advanced technologies requires meeting specific milestones, such as building mines or reaching population thresholds. This system keeps the progression smooth but can sometimes lead to short downtime. But here’s the question: Does this make the game more engaging or just another chore to manage?
Religion also plays a significant role, offering powerful bonuses like boosted agricultural production when worshiping Ceres. However, the game’s local effects make it impractical to separate production and residential areas, as seen in Anno 1800. This forces players to build multiple self-sustaining settlements, adding complexity but also limiting design flexibility. Is this a step forward or a step back? Share your thoughts below.
Military options have been expanded, with land and naval combat featuring different unit types and modular ship designs. Your decisions in battle not only affect relations with other rulers but also your standing with the emperor, which can lead to war. This adds a diplomatic layer to the gameplay, but some might find it overwhelming.
Visually, Anno 117 is a treat, ranging from very pretty to stunning, depending on your hardware. However, the game’s steep learning curve and interface might deter newcomers. Even Anno veterans may find the statistics interface lacking, missing features like indicators for production efficiency. And this is the part most people miss: Despite these quirks, the game avoids death spirals and allows difficulty adjustments on the fly, making it forgiving for all skill levels.
At $60, Anno 117 is a solid investment for fans of city-building and strategy games. But if you’re looking for alternatives, consider Captain of Industry for complex production chains, Foundation for flexible building systems, or Farthest Frontier for survival elements. Each offers a unique twist on the genre, so which one piques your interest?
Technically, the game performed flawlessly on our test system with an AMD Ryzen 9 3900X, Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Super, and 32GB RAM, running smoothly at 40 fps on high settings. With DLSS enabled, we saw an additional 10 fps boost. For a deeper dive into performance, check out our upcoming tech review. And the best part? We encountered no bugs during our test.
So, is Anno 117 a must-play? Absolutely, if you’re a fan of the series or genre. But it’s not without its quirks. What do you think? Does it live up to the hype, or does it fall short in some areas? Let us know in the comments!
