The Anno 117 demo has officially launched, and city building fans are already diving into the world of Roman empire management. Available from September 2 through September 16, 2025, this free preview gives players their first chance to experience what many are calling the most ambitious Anno game yet.
What Makes the Anno 117 Demo Worth Your Time
Anno 117: Pax Romana isn’t just another city builder. Set at the height of the Roman Empire in AD 117, this game puts you in the sandals of a Roman governor tasked with building thriving provinces. The demo showcases two distinct starting regions, each offering completely different gameplay experiences.
The Anno 117 demo weighs in at a substantial 93GB, which might seem hefty for a preview, but there’s good reason for the size. Players get access to detailed environments, from the sun-soaked shores of Latium to the mysterious Celtic wetlands of Albion.
Two Provinces, Two Different Experiences
One of the most compelling aspects of the Anno 117 demo is the choice between two starting provinces:
- Latium – The Roman heartland where you’ll build a fully Romanized civilization following traditional Roman customs, religion, and military practices
- Albion – The Celtic province offering a more challenging experience where you must decide whether to preserve local traditions or enforce Romanization
This choice isn’t just cosmetic. Each province fundamentally changes how you approach city building, resource management, and population happiness.
Revolutionary Features That Set Anno 117 Apart
The demo showcases several groundbreaking features that longtime Anno fans have been requesting:
Active Pause System
Finally, you can pause the game and continue building, fixing trade routes, and managing your empire without time pressure. This addresses one of the most frustrating limitations of previous Anno games.
Flexible Needs System
Unlike the rigid progression of earlier titles, Anno 117 allows multiple paths to satisfy your population’s needs. Can’t get fish for garum production? No problem – fulfill other food requirements instead.
Location-Based Building Bonuses
Every structure placement matters more than ever. Buildings now provide specific bonuses and penalties based on their surroundings, making city layout a strategic puzzle.
Where to Download the Anno 117 Demo
The free demo is available across multiple platforms:
- Steam
- Epic Games Store
- Ubisoft Connect
While the game appears on Steam, you’ll still need the Ubisoft Connect app to play, so downloading directly through Ubisoft’s platform might be more straightforward.
What to Expect from Gameplay
The Anno 117 demo provides roughly 3-4 hours of gameplay, enough to understand the core mechanics while leaving you hungry for more. You’ll start with basic settlement management – housing your Liberti population, providing food, and gradually expanding to meet increasingly complex needs.
The game introduces a sophisticated research system divided into economic, civil, and military trees. Buildings generate knowledge within their sphere of influence, which you can spend on meaningful upgrades and discoveries.
Combat returns to the Anno series with both land and naval battles, though peaceful players can opt for diplomatic and economic solutions instead.
Performance and Technical Considerations
Given the demo’s 93GB size, make sure you have sufficient storage space and a stable internet connection for download. The game showcases impressive visual detail, from children chasing dogs through streets to thousands cheering in amphitheaters.
Early player reports suggest the game runs well on modern systems, though some optimization work appears ongoing before the November 13 launch.
Why This Demo Matters
Anno 117: Pax Romana was named “Best PC Game” at Gamescom 2025, and the demo explains why. It successfully balances the series’ trademark accessibility with deeper strategic complexity.
The Roman setting isn’t just window dressing – it fundamentally shapes gameplay through mechanics like Romanization, deity worship, and cultural decision-making that affects your provinces’ development.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Anno 117 demo available?
The demo runs from September 2 through September 16, 2025, giving you two weeks to try it out.
Do I need to pay for the Anno 117 demo?
No, the demo is completely free to download and play across all platforms.
Can I play both provinces in the demo?
Yes, you can start multiple playthroughs to experience both Latium and Albion provinces with different strategies.
Will my demo progress carry over to the full game?
This hasn’t been confirmed by Ubisoft, so assume demo progress won’t transfer to the main game launching November 13.
What platforms will the full game support?
Anno 117: Pax Romana launches on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Amazon Luna, and Windows PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and Ubisoft Connect.
Is Anno 117 included with Ubisoft+ subscription?
Yes, the full game will be available as part of Ubisoft+ Premium subscription at launch.
Final Thoughts
The Anno 117 demo offers an impressive preview of what could be the series’ best entry yet. With its Roman setting, flexible gameplay systems, and quality-of-life improvements, it addresses many longtime fan requests while introducing fresh mechanics.
Whether you’re building in the familiar Roman heartland or tackling the challenging Celtic frontier, there’s enough content here to keep you engaged until the full release. Just make sure you have that 93GB of storage space ready.