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Anno 117: Pax Romana

PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2025

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Quick resume

Shape the Roman Empire in this genre-defining strategic builder game. Build cities while expanding your influence through Roman provinces. Govern using your economic prowess, diplomatic skills, or military might.

Global score

70/100

Genres

Simulator, Strategy, Real Time Strategy (RTS)

Pros

  • Beautiful and detailed graphics
  • Engaging city-building and production mechanics
  • Innovative diagonal roads and building placement
  • Addictive gameplay with long play sessions
  • Rich roman atmosphere and setting

Cons

  • Campaign is short and ends abruptly
  • Multiplayer is buggy and unstable
  • Some ui and quality-of-life issues
  • Ai opponents sometimes cheat or behave unrealistically
  • Use of ai-generated art criticized

Motivations

  • Autonomy
    4

    "Players have significant control over city building, production chains, and strategic decisions, including assigning patron gods and managing trade and military."

  • Competence
    4

    "The game offers complex production chains, resource management, and strategic planning that challenge player skill and provide feedback on performance."

  • Competition
    -2

    "Focus is primarily on single-player city building and sandbox modes; multiplayer exists but is buggy and not the main draw; limited emphasis on ranked or leaderboard competition."

  • Continuation
    4

    "Many players report long play sessions, habitual engagement, and repeated playthroughs with city optimization and DLC anticipation."

  • Cooperation
    1

    "Multiplayer co-op is available but currently buggy; most player experiences and reviews focus on solo play."

  • Creativity
    4

    "Strong emphasis on city design with diagonal roads, building placement, and customization of production layouts."

  • Domination
    -3

    "Interactions with AI opponents are mostly balanced with no strong emphasis on exerting dominance; multiplayer is cooperative or independent rather than competitive dominance."

  • Escapism
    4

    "Players use the game as a relaxing and immersive escape into a detailed Roman world, often losing track of time."

  • Expectation
    -3

    "Players engage out of personal desire and intrinsic interest; some frustration with bugs but overall voluntary and enthusiastic participation."

  • Experimenting
    3

    "Players experiment with new mechanics like diagonal roads, patron gods, and production layouts, exploring different strategies."

  • Exploration
    2

    "Exploration of different regions (Latium, Albion) and unlocking new tiers; some discovery but limited by current content."

  • Expression
    3

    "Players customize city layouts and aesthetics, though some desire more ornaments and building variety."

  • Fantasy
    3

    "Set in a stylized Roman Empire with mythological patron gods and historical fiction elements."

  • Fellowship
    0

    "Community aspects exist but are limited; most play is solo with minimal social connection."

  • Growth
    3

    "Players develop skills in city management, resource optimization, and strategic planning over time."

  • Health
    -5

    "Typical sedentary city-builder gameplay with no physical activity component."

  • Idle
    -3

    "Requires continuous attention and micromanagement rather than idle or background play."

  • Intimacy
    -4

    "Social interactions are minimal and surface-level; no evidence of close relationships formed in-game."

  • Leadership
    2

    "Players lead their cities and armies, managing multiple islands and populations, though no multiplayer leadership roles emphasized."

  • Progression
    4

    "Strong progression through population tiers, technology trees, and unlocking new buildings and bonuses."

  • Relaxation
    3

    "Many players find the game relaxing and immersive despite some micromanagement challenges."

  • Sensation
    3

    "Enjoyable visuals, sound design, and animations provide sensory stimulation and aesthetic pleasure."

  • Status
    -2

    "Limited social recognition or status elements; achievements exist but social visibility is low."

  • Story
    1

    "Campaign exists but is short and considered incomplete; most players focus on sandbox mode."

  • Strategy
    4

    "Requires mental challenge in resource management, city planning, and military tactics."

  • Thrill
    1

    "Some tension from managing resources and combat, but overall a controlled and steady experience."

  • Value
    3

    "Players feel the game offers good value for time spent, with many hours of gameplay and ongoing DLC support."

  • Violence
    -1

    "Combat exists but is not the primary focus; more emphasis on constructive city-building."

  • Survival
    2

    "Players manage threats and resource scarcity, but the game is generally stable with manageable risks."

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    Last update: 06/03/2026