Anno 117's Pax Romana's Hidden Gem Is a Breathtaking First-Person View.

Hold on — were you aware gamers have the option to enjoy Anno 117: Pax Romana using a first-person camera? Should that be your response, you’re just as shocked compared to my initial response upon finding out this secret option. I must temporarily abandon my empire’s management, leave it in a capable deputy, borrow a cart, and take a spin through Ancient Rome.

Unlocking the First-Person Mode

Being a city-building title, the game Anno 117 usually operates from an overhead perspective. Yet, when you input a hidden code — for example “Ctrl,” “Shift,” and “R” on a keyboard or “Up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B/Circle, A/X” with a gamepad — you gain the ability to walk your domain as a common citizen. Because an analogous secret appeared in Anno 1800, I looked forward to try it out in Ubisoft's newest game, yet I had doubts it would operate before I discovered myself stuck in a Celtic building (which probably wasn’t intended — this feature tends to be a little buggy at times).

Exploring the Ancient Streets

Upon freeing myself, I walked the bustling streets across my settlement and explored markets, breweries, floral patches, and seafood collectors — it felt magnificent to witness my diligent efforts through a fresh lens. I noticed numerous fine points I wouldn’t have spotted when viewing from overhead: Front door decorations, an ass transporting a floral pail, poultry scattering about, citizens lounging on their terraces… Even just observing the shape of a window sill and the paint layers on a column becomes engaging to modern individuals unfamiliar with ancient life.

Beyond Simple Strolling

But there’s more to Anno 117’s first-person mode beyond simply walking the paths. I became extraordinarily excited the moment I learned that I could not just look upon agricultural plots, but also access them. And even though I thought interiors would be restricted, I was able to enter mud extraction sites, explore a prestigious Grammaticus building during active classes, and invade personal courtyards. Don’t try to open any doors (not even the creators allocated resources for that), yet it's completely feasible wander through a grain field, watch folks shoveling and carrying sacks, and glance into any tiny hut provided the entrance is missing.

Graphics and Ambiance

While I was completely ready to observe my settlement depicted in PlayStation 1 graphics, excluding a few unpolished motions and the occasional civilian resting within a bench as opposed to atop a bench, first-person mode looks much better than expected. The intricately designed surfaces (notably masonry elements) are unexpectedly excellent for a title that remains primarily overhead. You won't necessarily notice specific hair details, however, you can observe wall inscriptions, fiery particles from lamps, discoloration of masonry, iris elements, and conifer needles. Evening, with glowing light sources and distant stellar illumination, generates a uniquely immersive environment, and feels much less frightening relative to the previous game, given that the populace appears unlike nightmarish entities these days.

Experimentation and Customization

Since Anno 117’s super-secret first-person mode lacks official documentation, I decided to experiment a bit, and quickly discovered the functions for jumping, dashing, and changing perspective — with the latter allowing me to switch between first and third-person views and return. I then decided to hit some number buttons and learned I could modify my character’s appearance. Golden robe? Red toga? Azure and violet outfit? Or — maybe superior — complete battle gear? You might hold a weapon and defense, or, personally chosen, equip a shooter's costume; if you hit the interaction button, you shoot flaming projectiles upward. Should you be curious, eliminating citizens cannot be done (not that I attempted, naturally).

Humor and Citizen Interactions

Yet, I didn't want to damage my population, as they're remarkably entertaining. Only seconds after I landed the immersive perspective, I overheard a father telling his child that “You cannot keep a fox as a pet and if you feed it one more chicken, your elder will punish you.” Appropriate response, paternal figure. One lovely local Celt then began complimenting my outstanding integration methods by calling it the “Best of both worlds,” meanwhile a grumpy senior female chose to intimidate me: “Say that one more time, and they’ll never find your body.”

The Fun of Vehicle Use

At the moment I believed I had found everything available in Anno 117: Pax Romana’s first-person mode, I found the joys of joyriding in Ancient Rome. Entirely by accident, I selected a carriage and was promptly seated on the box. Oxen, donkeys, even people-powered transports; you can drive them all at your leisure. The donkey-powered transport, notably, is pretty fast, though you shouldn’t imagine Grand Theft Auto-style mischief — impacting citizens or additional vehicles cannot occur (again, not saying I’ve tried).

Combat Limitations

The sole aspect that let me down within the immersive perspective was finding out I couldn’t partake in combat situations. Equipped in warrior attire, I charged toward adversaries during active combat and endeavored to damage them, yet was completely overlooked. The front-row seat was still rather spectacular, and watching the enemy run, their appendages thrashing around, felt highly gratifying, though it might have been amazing to effectively strike targets with my burning arrows.

{Conclusion: More to Discover|Final Thoughts: Additional Exploration