Anno 117: Pax Romana

The main pros of the game

• Visuals and Atmosphere: The game features stunning graphics and detailed environments that enhance the Roman Empire setting. Players appreciate the aesthetic improvements over previous titles, such as Anno 1800.
• Gameplay Mechanics: New features like diagonal building, a more fleshed-out military system, and a research progression tree are well-received. The mechanics allow for greater flexibility and creativity in city-building.
• Engaging Core Loop: Many players find the core gameplay loop addictive, with enjoyable logistics, city management, and the feeling of building an empire.
• Improved Tutorial: The game introduces mechanics in a more user-friendly way, making it easier for newcomers to learn the game without feeling overwhelmed.
• Diverse City Building Options: Players can create more unique city layouts with curved roads and the ability to rotate buildings at 45-degree angles.
• New Story Elements: Some users find the story intriguing and appreciate the addition of a religion mechanic that adds depth to gameplay.

The main cons of the game

• Short Campaign: The campaign is criticized for being incomplete, abruptly ending after Act 2, leaving players feeling unsatisfied and confused about the story's conclusion.
• AI Art Usage: Many players express disappointment over the use of AI-generated art for backgrounds and loading screens, feeling it detracts from the overall quality and artistic integrity of the game.
• Multiplayer Issues: Desynchronization problems and other multiplayer bugs make cooperative play frustrating, leading to a lack of stability in multiplayer sessions.
• Performance Problems: Some players experience significant performance issues, especially in late-game scenarios, with frame rate drops and other technical glitches.
• Simplified Mechanics: Compared to Anno 1800, some players feel that the game lacks depth in certain systems, such as production chains and the absence of features like expeditions and tourism.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Completeness of the Campaign: Players desire a more developed campaign with a proper conclusion and more engaging narrative elements.
• In-depth AI and Diplomacy: Users want improved AI behavior and diplomacy options that offer more meaningful interactions.
• Enhanced UI and Information Display: There are requests for a more intuitive user interface that clearly displays essential information without needing extensive navigation.
• Diversity in Map Generation: Players wish for more varied island layouts and resource distributions to enhance replayability and exploration.
• Quality Control on Art Assets: Concerns about the reliance on AI-generated art suggest a need for more human-crafted visuals to maintain the series' artistic standards.

Summary

• Overall, while Anno 117: Pax Romana shows promise with its engaging gameplay and beautiful visuals, it currently suffers from significant issues that impact player satisfaction, particularly regarding its campaign, multiplayer functionality, and the use of AI in its artistic elements. Many players recommend waiting for patches and updates before fully investing in the game.

Summary generated on: December 8, 2025