Your Destiny as Governor Awaits in Anno 117: Pax Romana
The golden age of the Roman Empire is calling. Ubisoft has unveiled a stunningly detailed, 12-minute deep dive trailer for its upcoming city-builder, Anno 117: Pax Romana, and it’s clear this is the most ambitious entry in the franchise to date. Set in the year 117 AD, the game places you in the sandals of a Roman Governor, tasked with managing provinces and expanding the influence of the Empire. But how you choose to do so is entirely up to you.
Your Province, Your Rules
The deep dive makes one thing abundantly clear: player choice is at the heart of Anno 117. As Governor, you’ll decide whether to lead through economic prosperity, diplomatic skill, or outright military dominance. The game will launch with two distinct provinces to choose from, each offering a unique experience:
- Latium: The heartland of the Roman Empire. Here, your focus will be on supplying the insatiable hunger of Rome itself. It’s a land of rolling hills and classic Roman architecture, but the political pressure is immense.
- Albion: The wild, untamed frontier. These mysterious Celtic wetlands are a world away from the comforts of Rome. Will you embrace the local traditions and culture, or will you impose Roman rule by force?
The campaign story will see you start in one province before a series of events leads you across the sea to the other, forcing you to adapt your strategies to entirely new challenges and cultures. Your decisions will have a lasting impact on your provinces and your legacy.
The Glory of Rome: Monuments and City Life
It wouldn’t be a game about Rome without some truly epic construction projects. The trailer puts a major spotlight on monuments, specifically the Amphitheater. This isn’t just a decorative building; it’s the largest monument ever seen in an Anno game and a functional centerpiece of your city. Once you attract Patricians to Latium, you can begin its construction. When completed, your city will erupt in celebration.
Inside the arena, you can stage epic gladiator battles. But the spectacle doesn’t stop there. You can even flood the entire Amphitheater to host a Naumachia-a legendary mock naval battle-as the ultimate display of Roman grandeur. The way you stage these events grants powerful buffs not just to your city’s happiness and prestige, but to your armies as well.
Beyond the Campaign: Sandbox and Multiplayer
For those who prefer to build without limits, Anno 117 will feature a comprehensive endless Sandbox mode. Here, you’ll have the freedom to customize every detail of your game, from the difficulty and starting conditions to the rivals present on the map. You can create a peaceful paradise or a brutal survival challenge.
The game will also feature robust multiplayer options. You can test your strategies against other players in competitive PvP or team up in cooperative PvE to build massive empires together while fending off AI-controlled rivals. It promises a huge amount of replayability beyond the main story.
The Road Ahead is Paved with Content
Ubisoft also gave a glimpse of the future. The first year of post-launch content will take players to a brand new region: the land of pyramids and pharaohs, Egypt. This confirms that the world of Anno 117 will continue to expand long after its release on November 13, 2025.
Conclusion
The Anno 117: Pax Romana deep dive has shown us a game of incredible scale, beauty, and strategic depth. By returning to a beloved historical setting and giving players more freedom than ever before, Ubisoft is crafting what could be the definitive city-building experience. Whether you choose to be a benevolent leader, a ruthless conqueror, or simply an architectural genius, your Roman Empire awaits.
FAQs
- 1. What is Anno 117: Pax Romana?
- It’s the latest installment in the Anno series, a city-building strategy game set in the Roman Empire during the year 117 AD. You play as a Roman Governor tasked with managing provinces.
- 2. When is the release date for Anno 117?
- The game is scheduled to launch on November 13, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
- 3. What are the main new features shown in the deep dive?
- The trailer highlighted the choice of starting provinces (Latium or Albion), the massive and functional Amphitheater monument, a deep campaign story, and the different paths to rule (economic, military, or diplomatic).
- 4. Can you play with friends?
- Yes, the game will feature both competitive PvP (Player vs. Player) and cooperative PvE (Player vs. Environment) multiplayer modes.
- 5. What kind of post-launch content is planned?
- Ubisoft has confirmed that the first year of content will include a new region, taking players to ancient Egypt.
- 6. What is the Amphitheater?
- It’s the largest monument ever in an Anno game. It can host gladiator battles and even be flooded for mock naval battles (naumachia), providing powerful buffs to your city and military.