Developed by Ubisoft Mainz, Anno 117: Pax Romana is the newest chapter in the acclaimed Anno franchise. Set during the peaceful era of the Roman Empire known as the Pax Romana, the game combines deep city management, complex economic systems, diplomacy, religion, exploration, and strategic expansion.

As governor, every decision matters. You decide whether to embrace Roman traditions or local Celtic culture, how your citizens live, which gods they worship, and whether your empire grows through peaceful diplomacy or military strength.

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Game Story

The Roman Empire has entrusted you with governing distant provinces.

Your mission is to transform undeveloped settlements into prosperous cities while maintaining the loyalty of your people. Every province presents new opportunities and difficult decisions that shape your civilization.

Will your empire become known for culture, prosperity, military power, or diplomacy? The future of Rome rests in your hands.

Gameplay Overview

Players can:

• Build detailed Roman cities
• Manage citizens
• Develop production chains
• Expand across islands
• Establish trade routes
• Govern multiple provinces
• Research new technologies
• Build fleets
• Wage war or negotiate peace
• Choose religious beliefs
• Develop infrastructure
• Play solo or multiplayer

Main Features

Build the Roman Empire

Construct thriving settlements featuring:

• Residential districts
• Markets
• Farms
• Harbors
• Temples
• Roads
• Government buildings
• Industrial districts

Every structure contributes to your city's economy and population growth.

Govern Your Provinces

Your leadership influences every aspect of society.

Choose whether to:

• Preserve local traditions
• Promote Roman culture
• Expand peacefully
• Conquer neighboring territories
• Focus on trade
• Develop military power

Every decision creates different long-term outcomes.

Deep Economic Management

Success depends on balancing:

• Food production
• Resource gathering
• Manufacturing
• Imports
• Exports
• Tax income
• Workforce management
• Supply chains

Efficient planning creates prosperous cities capable of supporting large populations.

Religion and Faith

Each island allows you to dedicate worship to different Roman deities.

Religion provides valuable bonuses while influencing your citizens' happiness and productivity, adding another strategic layer to city management.

Trade and Diplomacy

Expand your influence by:

• Creating trade routes
• Negotiating alliances
• Establishing commerce
• Managing diplomacy
• Trading valuable resources
• Building prosperous ports

Economic strength often proves more valuable than military conquest.

Warfare

When diplomacy fails, command Roman forces to defend your provinces and expand your empire.

Manage:

• Armies
• Naval fleets
• Defensive structures
• Military logistics
• Territorial expansion

Military power complements your economic development.

City Building System

Design beautiful Roman cities featuring:

• Organized neighborhoods
• Aqueducts
• Public buildings
• Agricultural districts
• Coastal harbors
• Industrial zones
• Decorative monuments

The flexible building tools allow highly customized city layouts.

Population Management

Different citizen classes require:

• Food
• Housing
• Entertainment
• Religion
• Employment
• Luxury goods
• Security

Meeting their needs allows your civilization to grow stronger.

Multiplayer

Play with friends through:

• Online co-op (2–4 players)
• Online multiplayer (up to 16 players)
• Cross-platform multiplayer
• Cooperative city development
• Competitive empire building

Multiplayer adds endless replayability for strategy fans.

Graphics and Audio

Anno 117: Pax Romana features:

• Beautiful Roman architecture
• Detailed environments
• Dynamic lighting
• 4K Ultra HD support
• HDR10
• Ray tracing
• Atmospheric soundtrack
• Realistic environmental effects
• Dolby Atmos support

The game recreates the grandeur of ancient Rome with exceptional visual fidelity.

Controls

Players can:

• Build cities
• Rotate structures
• Manage citizens
• Create roads
• Control armies
• Issue trade commands
• Navigate provinces
• Use keyboard and mouse support on Xbox

The interface has been designed for both controller and keyboard players.

Beginner Tips

• Build stable food production first.
• Expand gradually instead of growing too quickly.
• Maintain efficient supply chains.
• Monitor citizen happiness.
• Create profitable trade routes.
• Balance military and economy.
• Keep warehouses close to production areas.
• Upgrade buildings regularly.

Advanced Strategy Guide

Experienced governors should:

• Optimize production chains.
• Build specialized industrial districts.
• Expand to multiple islands.
• Exploit regional resources.
• Use diplomacy before warfare.
• Maximize religious bonuses.
• Balance workforce distribution.
• Develop efficient shipping networks.

Why Players Love Anno 117: Pax Romana

Players appreciate:

• Beautiful Roman setting
• Deep city-building mechanics
• Flexible governance choices
• Rich economic simulation
• Large-scale strategy
• Excellent multiplayer
• Multiple approaches to victory
• Relaxing yet challenging gameplay
• Outstanding replay value
• Highly detailed world

Many players and reviewers praise its accessibility, refined city-building systems, and historical atmosphere while still offering meaningful strategic depth.

Strengths

• Outstanding city building
• Deep economic systems
• Flexible diplomacy
• Rich Roman atmosphere
• Multiple playstyles
• Excellent production chains
• Beautiful graphics
• Online multiplayer
• Strong replay value
• High strategic depth

Things to Consider

• Supply chain management becomes increasingly complex.
• Large cities require careful planning.
• Military campaigns demand strong economies.
• Long-term planning is essential for success.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Anno 117: Pax Romana?

Anno 117: Pax Romana is a historical city-building strategy game where players govern Roman provinces through city management, trade, diplomacy, religion, and warfare.

Can I choose diplomacy instead of war?

Yes. Players can expand their influence through diplomacy, trade, alliances, or military conquest depending on their preferred strategy.

Does the game include multiplayer?

Yes. It supports online co-op for 2–4 players and multiplayer for up to 16 players with cross-platform functionality.

Which platforms support the Xbox version?

The game is available for Xbox Series X|S and supports Xbox Cloud Gaming, Xbox achievements, cloud saves, and keyboard and mouse input.

What makes Anno 117 different from previous games?

It introduces Roman-era governance, cultural choices between Roman and Celtic traditions, a faith system, land warfare, and enhanced city-building tools while maintaining the series' signature economic depth.

Similar Games

• Anno 1800
• Civilization VII
• Manor Lords
• Frostpunk 2
• Cities: Skylines II
• Age of Empires IV
• Tropico 6
• Pharaoh: A New Era
• Imperator: Rome
• Against the Storm

Final Verdict

Anno 117: Pax Romana is one of the finest historical city-building games available, combining sophisticated economic management, beautiful Roman architecture, meaningful political choices, and deep strategic gameplay. Whether you prefer peaceful expansion through trade or military conquest across the empire, every decision shapes the destiny of your provinces. For fans of strategy, simulation, and city-building games, Anno 117 delivers an immersive Roman experience with exceptional replayability.