I’m not going to go there by four paths, I like the Anno saga. I like his management approach that wants to be calm and thoughtful. I like to see the villagers evolve there and see them go about their business. After almost 30 years of reign, I had the chance to put my hands on Anno 117: Pax Romana, the future title of the saga which wishes to change its codes a little, while preserving what they know how to do. After a long presentation, I therefore had an hour just for me on the title.
Authenticity and war
Ubisoft sells us this Anno 117: Pax Roaman as an opus that wants to do more. The war is this time a little more at the center of concerns. Be careful all the same, I am not talking to you here of an Age of Empires, far from it. The other great strength lies in the authenticity of the game which brings us back to the sumptuous era of the Roman Empire.
I announce it to you at the outset, my 60 minutes did not give me enough time to enjoy these two aspects, especially that of war.
So I was therefore able to take control of the exploration, expansion and exploitation parts. For the extermination of the 4x, it will be necessary to go back later.
In known grounds
Regardless of the subject or location, Anno will remain Anno and that’s good. Here the field is fully known. From the first moments, it is a question of placing roads, building houses for our residents freshly landed from the boat on a very pretty little island.
Once the dwellings in place, we will have to make them work. To extend, you will need to harvest wood, food and a whole bunch of raw materials. Different elements that will then have to transform in workshops. Trunks become boards, sausage pigs or beer wheat.
Obviously, this whole management requires careful and thoughtful implementation. Once you feel attacking, it is high time to let your first little colony prosper to go for it to extend to the neighboring cities.
As I said above, Anno 117 Pax Romana does not turn upside down and unfortunately I could not take control of the “war” part.
Detail
Like the rest of the saga, Anno 117: Pax Roaman is terribly beautiful. But if these landscapes are a feast for the eyes and the day/night cycle immerses us completely in its universe, it is nothing in the face of the thousands of details that are housed everywhere. When you zoom in as much as possible, it is truly a feast, a kind of giant model that comes alive where each person has a role, moves in a natural way, works like you and me. Something to spend hours contemplating your little humans to live under your orders.
Safe value
I played an hour in Anno 117: PAX Romana and I am already passionate about the title. I want to see more, to spend my evenings there and especially to see this more warlike approach in my hands. I have not voluntarily talked about the political part and the different choices that arise for you. This part is obviously a pillar of this episode, but again, I do not have enough perspective to tell you about all the issues.
Demo announced
I finish my preview by announcing you very good news. Indeed, Ubisoft has just announced a demo for Anno 117: Pax Romana. The latter will take place From September 5 to 16 on PC.