Pax Romana does something the series has never done before

Just like any other popular strategy, Anno seeks to develop its core formula with each subsequent post. From one Anno entering the next, players can expect to find new game mechanics, reworked graphics, refined user interface and fresh ideas that breathe new life into the franchise. Anno 117: Pax Romana looks like it will include everything on that list.

Released on November 13, Anno 117: Pax Romana launching six years after its predecessor, Year 1800. But while Anno 117: Pax Romana really continues this trend of developing the core formula of the series, there is a great tradition that the new entry leaves in the past.

Anno 117: Pax Romana breaks a 27-year series tradition

There have been a total of seven main lines Anno over the past 27 years. Each has taken place in a different era, ranging from settings primarily based on real history such as Year 1800 and Anno 1404to more fantastic environments such as futuristic worlds Anno 2070 and Anno 2205. But regardless of setting, each Anno the game (in continuous mode) has begun with the player establishing their colony's foundation on a randomized island, often one that the player has no choice over, and sometimes one that is part of a specific larger region:

Anno 1602 – Players start on a ship near a randomized island
Anno 1503 – Players start on a randomized island
Anno 1701 – Players start on a randomized island named after the Queen
Anno 1404 – Players start on a ship near Lord Northburgh's Warehouse
Anno 2070 – Players start on a floating base called The Ark
Anno 2205 – Players start in the temperate regions
Year 1800 – Players start in the Old World

Some of these Anno titles eventually provide the ability to explore new regions and establish new colonies and trade routes to unlock items exclusive to that region. Year 1800for example, allows players to explore the new world and its jungle regions further into the game, and Anno 2205 sees players explore and colonize the arctic regions and eventually the moon. But while players can venture into these regions later in their careers, everyone Anno games, including 1800 and 2205restrict the player to start at a random location in a specific region.

Anno 2205 added the post-launch ability to choose from a range of boot sectors when setting up a new game. However, while the map layouts and game bonuses differ, all are located in the temperate regions and all have access to the same buildings and technologies.

Anno 117: Pax Romana lets players choose between two starting provinces

For the first time in franchise history, Anno 117: Pax Romana gives players a choice between two different regions when starting a game: Latium or Albion. These two regions offer unique challenges and opportunities, such as different skill trees to invest in and different pantheons to worship.

The differences between Anno 117's provinces of Latium and Albion are explained

For those looking for the most simple and traditional Anno experience, Anno 117: Pax Romana's Latium is probably the best option. The heart of the Roman Empire, Latium, is the western region of Italy where Rome still stands today. When you choose Latium as Anno 117s starting province, players have only one goal: create a thriving Roman city. To achieve this, players will have access to the best Roman technologies, buildings, and even unique abilities from the Roman Gods themselves, such as reduced unit maintenance costs from Mars, the Roman God of War.

Choosing Albion at the start of Anno 117: Pax Romana offers an exciting twist on the traditional Anno formula. While the overall goal remains to guide Albion to greatness, players will be faced with the constant challenge of balancing two very different societies. On one hand, players can choose to embrace the Celtic traditions of Albion's natives, paving the way for unique buildings, technologies, and a different pantheon of gods. On the other hand, they may choose to impose their Roman way of life on the citizens of Albion and adopt the architecture and technology of their homeland of Latium.

This balance of beliefs is the biggest defining difference between Anno 117: Pax Romanas Latium and Albion starting provinces, and is undoubtedly one of the upcoming contribution's most exciting game additions.