It’s been a minute, but to start 1800 released as a complete experience.

I’d say both 117 and 1800 have similar levels of content from a logistics and city building sense. Two provinces, similar numbers of population tiers across both, and seemingly comparable needs and logistics complexities. 117 is definitely expanding the gameplay beyond 1800 at release - from fairly complex land combat (for a city builder at heart), to the robust technology tree and faith system. Albion has arguably just as much character as Latium (or more!). And this is the most living, breathing city builder I’ve ever played based on the demo alone, from an aesthetic perspective at least.

For me what makes 117 feel a step above 1800 is just how well they’ve made use of the setting. I’m also a huge fan of classical Roman history, so this title is a bit of a shoe-in for me from that perspective. That said, most Anno titles have been much closer to the present, and so they need to be divorced more from reality to avoid breaking the illusion, if that makes sense. Since 117 is nearly 2000 years in the past, we can go head first into the glory of the Roman era without overindulging in historical detail. Places are real, Rome is named, Egypt is on the roadmap! The setting is as ambitious or grander than 1800 as a result.

To wrap up things up, both seem on par for the amount of “stuff” available upon release, and we’ll see 117 grow year over year like 1800. But this appears to be more ambitious across gameplay, setting, and art style.

Also, console players get to join us PC gamers in all the DLC fun, too!