Anno 1800 Console Edition Review

Anno 1800 is a city-building simulation game developed by Ubisoft Blue Byte and released for PCs in 2019. The game takes players on a journey through the 19th century, where they must create a city by utilizing the technological advances and events of the era. The game revolves around meeting the needs of the population and helping them level up, unlocking new needs and buildings along the way. Players must manage their resources carefully and expand to new islands to gather more resources.

Now in 2022, Anno 1800 has made its way onto the PS5 and Xbox Series. With complex gameplay systems and a series that has remained primarily a PC exclusive, the challenge of bringing its popular gameplay to console players was a mighty task. The developers have risen to the challenge and proved that there is nothing to fear. The game’s intricate gameplay mechanics, which revolve around managing resources, building cities, and engaging in diplomacy and warfare, translate perfectly to the console.

AT A GLANCE
TITLE: Anno 1800
GENRE: Simulation, Strategy
DEVELOPER: Ubisoft Mainz
PUBLISHER: Ubisoft

One of the most impressive aspects of Anno 1800 is the level of detail put into the game’s visuals. The graphics are stunning, with intricately designed buildings and landscapes that are a joy to look at. The game also has a great soundtrack that captures the feel of the time period perfectly.

While the game primarily focuses on building and managing a thriving city, it also has a storyline that unfolds as players progress through the game.

The story begins with the player taking on the role of a budding entrepreneur in the late 18th century, seeking to establish their own empire in the New World. The player must navigate the complexities of trade, politics, and diplomacy as they work to expand their influence and grow their economy. Along the way, they encounter various characters and factions, each with their own agendas and motivations.

As the game progresses, the story becomes increasingly complex, with political intrigue, international conflicts, and personal relationships all coming into play. Players must make tough decisions that will impact their reputation and alliances, and ultimately determine the fate of their empire.

The narrative is well-crafted and engaging, with characters that are fully fleshed out and memorable. The story also serves to give players a sense of purpose and direction, as they work towards achieving various goals and objectives.

Players also have the option to play in Sandbox mode, which is a non-linear, open-ended gameplay mode that allows for more creative freedom and experimentation. In this mode, players have complete control over their starting conditions, including the size of their island, the starting resources, and the AI opponents they will face.

The Sandbox mode is perfect for those who want to play the game at their own pace and experiment with different strategies without worrying about any limitations or restrictions. Players can focus on building and expanding their empire without any pressure from the game’s narrative or objectives. They can also adjust the game’s difficulty settings to make it more challenging or easier based on their preferences.

Gameplay-wise, Anno 1800 is a deep and engaging experience. The game has a strong emphasis on resource management, and players must carefully balance the needs of their city with the demands of trade and industry. The game also features a variety of different factions to interact with, each with their own unique strengths and weaknesses. The game’s diplomacy system is also interesting and challenging, as players must navigate complex political relationships with other factions.

Anno 1800 manages to grab players with its collection of secondary objectives and never let go. These missions involve everything from obtaining goods to finding objects and people for your citizens. Anno 1800 is a game that requires strategy and planning, and it offers hours of engaging gameplay.

While the game may seem simple in concept, there are many variables at play, such as limited space on the island and the need to explore new territories. The game’s attention to detail and historical accuracy is impressive, and the graphics are stunning. Anno 1800 is a visually stunning game that allows players to create and manage a city based on the events and advances of the 19th century.

Anno 1800 presents an engaging gameplay loop that continually challenges players to adapt and strategize with each new advance. As you progress, the game introduces various dangers that will inevitably arise, including competing NPCs who may transition from peaceful trade partners to hostile foes that threaten your fleet. Even minor oversights, such as neglecting the needs of your citizens, can spark fires and riots, requiring immediate attention and remediation. This dynamic gameplay loop keeps players engaged and constantly reevaluating their approach, making Anno 1800 an immersive and rewarding gaming experience.

Anno 1800 has done an excellent job of converting the keyboard and mouse controls into a controller scheme. The game’s vast menus loaded with resources, management tables, and dozens of different buildings, which were previously controlled with a keyboard and mouse, can now also be accessed easily through a well-designed control scheme making the game feel right at home for console players.

The interface has also been completely revamped, making it easier to navigate through menus and manage resources. The gamepad controls are designed to be user-friendly and come equipped with various shortcuts to allow players to access important features quickly.

The left trigger focuses on the shortcuts for building roads, warehouses, and the option to copy and move buildings, while the right trigger is used for everything else. This system can be customized based on building classes, citizen tiers, or available resources. Overall, Anno 1800 has done an outstanding job of adapting its controls to a controller scheme, making it easy and comfortable for players to enjoy the game on any platform.

This new control scheme provides a comfortable and streamlined experience, making Anno 1800 a great addition to console gaming.