Ubisoft just released a brand-new gameplay showcase trailer for Anno 117: Pax Romana. Here are five details you should know about the game if you want to become the next Roman Governor.
1. The game takes place in Latium
In Anno 117: Pax Romana, you’re not simply playing as a governor from the outskirts of the Roman Empire. No, you’re governing from Latium, the historical region where the city of Rome was founded and from which the entire Roman Empire grew and flourished. This means you’re going to have very heavy responsibilities resting upon your shoulders, and you should expect very tough challenges to face.
2. Commerce and Trade or War and Conquest – You Choose
The game will allow players to choose their fate: will they govern with commerce and economy in mind, leading their people to prosperity through trade? Or will they unsheath their swords, mobilize their legions, and conquer territory for gold and glory?
Expand your borders through diplomacy or conquest. Build forts, erect fortresses, and train your army to realize your ambitions. Your expansion even goes beyond the borders of Rome – explore into Albion and try to subjugate the Celts – or embrace their culture and become one of them.
We also got a glimpse of the game’s trading mechanics and saw that we can establish trade routes through diplomacy, allowing us to import resources that will make our cities flourish. But the sea is also infested with pirates, so you’ll have to make sure your trade ships have sufficient escorts to ensure that your goods and riches reach their ports of destination.
3. Sustainability versus Progress
The game will challenge players in balancing their city’s growth and its sustainability. Players will be allowed to build their city at their desired pace, but quick expansion can sometimes spell for an early doom. For example, lumber camps can help supply the player with much-needed resources to expand the city and improve the quality of life of your citizens, but will quickly turn forests bare, with the city losing a vital source of food as both flora and fauna get eradicated.
4. Religion
Faith is an important block of society, and each island you govern can devote itself to one of Rome’s many gods. Each god in the pantheon grants specific boons for your city, like Neptune making your ships go faster, and Mars empowering your soldiers, boosting their morale. Your choice of your patron god will have a lasting effect to your rule.
5. Culture and Technologies
With the basic needs of your citizens taken care of, your job as the Governor then expands to the education and cultural uplifting of your populace. Build theaters and schools to improve your city’s culture and technology, and build entertainment buildings to please the crowd. This is how you’ll build your reputation as a worthy leader and how you’ll gain the favor of the Emperor.
Anno 117 is coming out soon this winter of 2025 with cross-play and cross-progression for PS5, Xbox Series X, Amazon Luna, and PC through Steam, Epic Games Store, and Ubisoft Connect.