Anno 1404 - PC Game Review

Anno 1404 is a real-time strategy city-builder that was released in late June 2009 by Ubisoft, publishers of popular titles such as Assassin's Creed and Far Cry. Maybe you haven't heard of this game yet, or maybe you've heard it referred to as Dawn of Discovery. This is the more popular title given to Anno 1404 exclusive in North America, but don't be confused - Anno 1404 is the same game as Dawn of Discovery.

Anno 1404 is the sequel to Anno 1701, but I will be reviewing it as if you've never played the original, because to be honest I have never played it.

Storyline

The cool thing about this game is that there really is not a set story-line. While you can certainly play through the scenarios designed to teach you the basics of the game, there is a storyline in which you are to assist The Emperor's cousin, Lord Richard Northburgh, in setting up a cathedral on his island. The Emperor is not feeling well and Lord Richard Northburgh intends to use the cathedral to pray for him.

These scenarios, I'll call them tutorials from now on because that is basically what they are, are designed to teach players the basics of this very in-depth city-builder. Lord Northburgh will assign you tasks such as gathering a specified amount of goods and delivering them to his island via trading ship so that he can proceed with building his cathedral.

These tutorials do a great job, but the game is so in-depth that I found myself confused at times. However, playing through all of the tutorials will ensure that you'll be prepared to do well in continuous mode.

Gameplay

This is one of the best city-builders I've ever played and the reason I feel this way is because of the mechanics. Every decision you make will directly affect your population's happiness and living situation. Some key aspects of this game are setting up trade routes between islands. You can trade between allies, bounty hunters, or just set up shipments between your own lands. The success of your civilization relies heavily upon efficient trade routes.

This brings me to resources - the key to making money and expanding your civilization. There are dozens of different resources such as coal, iron, wood, brine, glass, gold, copper, etc... Also more exotic resources are offered by the nomads to the south such as coffee, spices, mosaic, and so on. There are seriously a lot of different resources, and I don't feel like listing them all, but hopefully you get the idea.

People who really like city-builders will simply be amazed by this game. With that being said, this game might be a little TOO in-depth for the casual player. I am not a huge fan of city-builders, though, and I ended up putting many hours into this game.

The continuous mode offers players to play without following any sort of storyline and limitations. While you can set winning conditions, some may choose to play just to see how prosperous they can become. There are missions offered by the computer players, but you don't even have to do them, although I would advise to accept them once in a while to get some gold pieces and increase reputation and honor, which you can use to buy special items from your allies.

Graphics/Sound

The models and animations in this game are very detailed for a city-builder. You can zoom in and out of the overview mode, which is crucial for missions where you have to find particular people in your city. The sound is excellent, providing suitable music and fully voiced dialogue. Overall I am impressed by the graphics and the sounds that Anno 1404 has to offer.

Conclusion

There is a battle aspect of the game where you can command a navy of ships, but this is the most lacking aspect of the game as it just seems too slow and unoriginal. Building your cities and managing your population definitely makes up for this, though.

If you love city-builders this is most definitely the game for you. You will most likely spend many, many hours building up your cities, but be careful when it comes to upgrading your citizens to nobles, as they are very needy! On the other hand, if you are a casual fan of city-builders, you still might dig this game as it is quite the rewarding game.