Sure thing!
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So, 2023 brought this meme out of nowhere—“How often do you think about the Roman Empire?” Sounded silly at first, didn’t it? But turns out, lots of folks can’t stop pondering about it. Weird, right? Anyway, Ubisoft Mainz jumped on the bandwagon with Anno 117: Pax Romana. It’s like they heard everyone’s inner history nerd screaming for something Roman to obsess over. Finally, we can channel that obsession into a game where you literally build your own empire. Talk about dream fulfillment.
Manuel Reihner—yeah, he’s got the creative reins on this baby—was chatting with IGN and said, “Rome’s been on everyone’s wishlist since forever.” Makes sense, I suppose. It’s not just a fan thing; even the devs are apparently all about it. There’s just something about Rome, ya know? It sticks, like gum on your shoe.
Ubisoft Mainz did this flashy gameplay showcase on a Tuesday (I can’t remember which one because, honestly, days blur together). They picked Rome’s Gardens of Sallust for the event—like, why not add some ancient flair, right? Imagine Julius Caesar once owing the place. A bit intimidating, don’t you think?
From what I’ve seen, Anno 117: Pax Romana might just be the highlight of the whole series. Anno 1800 was cool, set in the Industrial Revolution and whatnot. But then their futuristic stuff, like Anno 2070 and 2205—that didn’t hit as hard. So, naturally, they took the historical route once more (rewinding about 1,683 years, but who’s counting?).
One cool thing, they’ve ditched those weirdly strict right-angle grids. I mean, whatever happened to a little creativity? Now you can build things diagonally! Streets twist and turn more naturally—like how cities should look, not some blocky mess. There’s a newfound dynamic vibe in constructing cities with this setup. It’s way less about sticking to the old playbook and more about going with your gut—kinda like life, huh?
Plus, each building now messes with its surroundings, giving your gameplay some depth. It’s not just plop-and-play anymore. Throw in new tech trees, citizen upgrade paths, and you’ve got a game that’s way less predictable. You can grow your empire through combat or sweet-talk your way into expansion. Oh, and there’s faith—another layer in this historical stew. It’s like they layered the game with bits you’ve got to chew carefully or risk a spill. Keeps things fresh, you know?
And if you’re itching to play Roman governor, you won’t wait long. It’s hitting PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X later this year. Until then, just keep thinking Roman thoughts… or not. Whatever floats your boat.
