Anno 117: Pax Romana

Anno 117: Pax Romana was developed by Ubisoft Mainz and published by Ubisoft. It officially launched in November 2025. The decision to set the game in ancient Rome marks a return to the historical roots of the Anno series, placing players in the turbulent yet prosperous era of the Pax Romana.

The game was released on several platforms: PC (via Steam, the Ubisoft Store, and the Epic Games Store), as well as on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and even Amazon Luna. In addition to the base game, there is a Year 1 Pass that delivers three major DLC expansions, along with cosmetic rewards for players who want to expand their Roman empire further.

In terms of gameplay, players step into the role of a Roman governor who must balance the demands of the emperor with the needs of their citizens. You can choose to spread Roman traditions or preserve local Celtic culture, depending on which province you start in — either Latium or Albion. As governor, you build and manage cities, develop trade networks, wage diplomacy or war, and make decisions that affect not just economics but also religious life and political standing. The game also features innovative mechanics like diagonal placement of buildings, influence zones for production buildings, and a dynamic faith system that gives meaningful choices to where and how deities are worshipped.

Promotion for the game leaned heavily into its Roman setting and the weight of political decision-making. Cinematic trailers showcased grand monuments, chariot-racing arenas, and sprawling cities. Ubisoft emphasized its ambitions for long-term support, highlighting the Year 1 Pass that will introduce additional regions (including volcanic islands and distant provinces), new cultural content, and monuments like the Hippodrome. Community engagement was encouraged through preview events and shared ambitions for player-driven growth.

Reception has been generally favorable, although not without caveats. Many players and critics praise the game’s accessible yet deep city-building systems, polished visuals, and thoughtful integration of political and cultural decisions. The diagonal building and influence-zone features are often singled out as refreshing improvements. On the other hand, some criticism centers on limited campaign variation, a milder combat experience, and occasional technical issues at launch. Nonetheless, the game is widely regarded as a strong and inviting entry point into Anno for both franchise veterans and newcomers.