Our release guide for Anno 117: Pax Romana brings you all the important details on gameplay, editions, new features, and upcoming DLCs.
With Anno 117: Pax Romana, Ubisoft Mainz returns to the Roman Empire. The newest entry in the city-building series blends classic construction mechanics with cultural choices, strategic progression, and a dynamic campaign. Here’s a complete rundown of the release date, gameplay systems, and DLC plans.
Release: When does Anno 117: Pax Romana launch?
Anno 117: Pax Romana will be released on November 13, 2025. Advanced access — even with the higher-priced Gold Edition — will not be available.
Which platforms will it be available on?
On PC, Anno 117 will be available via the Ubisoft Store, Steam, and Epic Games Store. Console and cloud versions are coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Amazon Luna. There won’t be a dedicated Game Pass release, but Ubisoft+ subscribers can access the Gold Edition — including all content — for €18 per month.
Which editions are available?
At launch, you can choose between two main versions:
- Standard Edition (ca. €60/ $60 / £50 ): Includes the base game and the Builder Pack.
- Gold Edition (ca. €90/ $90 / £70 ): Adds the Year 1 Pass with three DLCs and extra ornaments.
Collectors can also opt for the Governor’s Edition, which features exclusive physical goodies such as a 3D amphitheater puzzle, artbook, coins, lithographs, and digital bonuses.
What are the system requirements for Anno 117?
Minimum (Full HD, Low Settings)
- OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)
- CPU: Intel Core i7-7700 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 (6 GB) or AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT (6 GB)
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage: 117 GB free SSD space
Recommended (Full HD, High Settings)
- OS: Windows 11
- CPU: Intel Core i5-9600K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 (8 GB) or AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT (8 GB)
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage: 117 GB free SSD space
Enthusiast (WQHD, Very High Settings)
- OS: Windows 11
- CPU: Intel Core i5-10600K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti (8 GB) or AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT (12 GB)
- RAM: 32 GB
- Storage: 117 GB free SSD space
Ultra (4K, Ultra Settings)
- OS: Windows 11
- CPU: Intel Core i7-13700K or AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Super (16 GB) or AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX (24 GB)
- RAM: 32 GB
- Storage: 117 GB free SSD space
Anno 117: Pax Romana supports ray tracing for global illumination and realistic reflections, along with 4K resolution and ultra-wide monitor support. A powerful setup is highly recommended, as the game’s demands increase over time, and frame rates can dip in late-game cities.
Anno 117 Release: What’s new in the gameplay?
Set during the Pax Romana, Anno 117 puts you in the role of a Roman governor. You can play as either Marcus Naukratius or Marcia Tertia — each with their own storyline and social challenges. The campaign is divided into two major chapters and transitions into a sandbox mode after completion.
For the first time, you can start in one of two regions:
- Latium: The Roman heartland with a Mediterranean setting, classical architecture, and familiar production chains.
- Albion: The Celtic north, marked by swamps, rain, and dense forests. Expect new production lines for resources like eels, reeds, and wattle-and-daub materials.
How do Latium and Albion differ?
While Latium will feel familiar to long-time Anno fans, Albion delivers a completely different experience. Buildings are constructed on stilts above swamps and connected by wooden walkways — a mechanic that adds both visual flair and strategic complexity. Resource consumption is higher, as bridge construction costs wood and limits building space.
Another key element is cultural choice: you can guide your people toward Romanization or help them preserve their Celtic identity. This decision affects production chains, architecture, the look of your city, and even citizen behavior.
How does the culture system work?
In Albion, you begin with the Wanderers — Celtic settlers whose basic needs are food and clothing. Once those are met, you face a crucial choice: promote them to Smiths who preserve Celtic traditions (requiring beer, cheese, and drinking horns) or develop them into Mercators who embrace Roman customs (requiring bread, sausages, and amphorae).
At the third tier of advancement, your population diverges even further. Smiths evolve into Elders who uphold Celtic traditions and demand goods such as Latium wine, chariots, and political buildings like the Council of Elders. Mercators, meanwhile, ascend to Nobles, fully Romanized citizens who expect togas, theaters, and aqueducts as hallmarks of their elevated lifestyle.
These cultural paths don’t just affect citizen needs — they also shape your cities visually. Romanized settlements favor grand central layouts and monumental architecture, while traditional Celtic towns remain decentralized, integrated with their natural surroundings.
What role do NPCs and factions play?
The world of Anno 117 is populated by characters whose attitudes shift based on your cultural policies. One such figure is Voada, a Celtic rebel inspired by Boudicca. She becomes your enemy if you enforce Romanization but can also become an ally if you honor Celtic traditions.
Manx, a neutral trader, offers goods and quests but distrusts cultural assimilation, fearing the loss of identity. Another character, Athr Iorgwyn, is a rival architect who claims land and builds fortresses regardless of your decisions. These NPCs add depth, variety, and strategic options — whether through trade, rivalry, or diplomacy.
What new gameplay features are included?
Additional new features include:
- Tactical real-time land and naval battles
- Modular ship customization
- Religions with six gods influencing your population
- Three-branch research tree (Economy, Civic, Military)
- Marshland system to drain swamps and expand buildable land
What DLCs are planned for Anno 117 after release?
The Year 1 Pass includes three major expansions coming in the first year after release:
- Prophecies of Ash: A volcanic island featuring new cultural encounters and a new deity.
- The Hippodrome: Adds an arena inspired by the Circus Maximus, complete with chariot races.
- Dawn of the Delta: Introduces a new region near Egypt’s border with its own production chains and challenges.
Each expansion adds new regions, storylines, and mechanics to enrich the core experience.
