Anno 1404

88%
Game Brain Score Based on 399 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • story
Anno 1404 Game Cover
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In "Anno 1404," also known as "Dawn of Discovery," players build and expand their own medieval/ Renaissance empire through construction, trade, diplomacy, and combat, with the added element of exploring the culture and technologies of the Orient. The game offers a high level of customization, including a customizable interface and the ability to create and share personalized adventures. It is designed to be accessible for beginners while also offering options for advanced players, making for a thrilling campaign.

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Reviews

88%
Audience ScoreBased on 399 reviews
graphics28 positive mentions
grinding4 negative mentions
  • Anno 1404 offers a deep and rewarding city-building experience with complex production chains and resource management.
  • The game features beautiful graphics and a charming atmosphere, making it visually appealing even years after its release.
  • It provides a satisfying blend of strategy, exploration, and trade, allowing players to create and manage their own empires.
  • The combat mechanics are considered clunky and not the main focus of the game, which can be disappointing for players looking for a more action-oriented experience.
  • Some players find the user interface unintuitive and the tutorial lacking in clarity, leading to confusion about game mechanics.
  • The game can become repetitive over time, with some players feeling that it lacks depth in certain areas compared to other strategy games.
  • graphics62 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beauty and detail, with many reviewers noting that they have aged remarkably well and still hold up against modern standards. The visuals are described as stunning, with intricate designs and a charming aesthetic that enhances the gameplay experience. While some mention minor performance issues compared to newer titles, the overall consensus is that the graphics contribute significantly to the game's appeal and timelessness.

    • “The graphics are gorgeous, the trade routes are addictive, and there’s something immensely satisfying about watching your little villagers run around like busy bees.”
    • “This new civilization also gives us all the opportunity to admire another architecture made of white facades, domes and cupolas with thin and elegant towers, bazaars of colorful fabrics in the middle of palm trees... at the release date, Anno's graphics engine was simply a wonder and quite simply offered the finest details ever seen in a management game.”
    • “By far the best strategy/simulation I have ever played, largely because of the stunning graphics.”
    • “The graphics can be choppy especially when compared to more graphically impressive rivals.”
    • “Cons: average graphics running on a very poorly optimized game engine.”
    • “While the game is made with some love for graphical details, it simply misses the depth of any build-up strategy game before 2000.”
  • gameplay49 mentions

    The gameplay of this title is praised for its depth and complexity, particularly in city-building, exploration, and trade mechanics, which remain engaging even years after its release. While the controls are generally easy to learn, some players find certain mechanics poorly explained, leading to confusion. Overall, the game offers a rich and immersive experience, though it can sometimes feel slow or overly complicated.

    • “Despite its age, this game remains a standout in the Anno series, proving that classic gameplay can still hold its ground against modern releases.”
    • “The meticulous city-building mechanics are a delight for fans of the genre, and the game’s emphasis on exploration and trade provides a rich, immersive experience.”
    • “Gameplay is well constructed, and the controls are easy.”
    • “It's so close to being a really good game, but lacks the proper managing tools to safely set up economies, so the player is forced to constantly adjust production chains, which really slows down the gameplay.”
    • “The game has a supposed tutorial, but it doesn't explain all of the cryptic mechanics.”
    • “Some 'obvious'/basic game mechanics are not explained very well, which can lead to confusion.”
  • story48 mentions

    The story aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it poorly constructed, childish, and filled with bugs that hinder the experience. Others appreciate the campaign's ability to serve as a tutorial while offering engaging quests and character interactions, though many feel that the missions can be tedious and overly reliant on repetitive tasks. Overall, while the narrative has its merits, it struggles to resonate with all players, particularly those seeking a deeper or more polished storytelling experience.

    • “The story is very interesting and original.”
    • “The game features a fantastic story-line in the campaign which also functions as a tutorial, with great characters each having a unique personality, and a brilliant and exciting plot twist at the end.”
    • “I have played through the first few story scenarios and find them entertaining, if a bit slow to progress.”
    • “The plot is silly, childish, and naive.”
    • “Lazily written and executed singleplayer campaign, which can only be completed properly if the player has previous knowledge of all the bombs the game will throw at him, especially the 6th and the 8th (last) missions.”
    • “The voice over and missions are terrible and very annoying.”
  • music20 mentions

    The music in the game is consistently praised as "best in class," with many reviewers highlighting its ability to create a relaxing and immersive atmosphere. The soundtrack is described as beautiful and well-composed, complementing the game's visuals and enhancing the overall experience. Players appreciate the attention to detail in both the music and sound design, contributing to the game's lasting appeal.

    • “Its just one of those gems you hold onto for years, very well made, music is sweet to the ears.”
    • “The kind of game that never gets old, music, graphics, gameplay everything is made to last.”
    • “So much attention to detail went into the visuals, the music fits, and the game is a really enjoyable city-building/management with great voice acting to boot.”
    • “Visually overly rich, with so many effects... and don't get me started on the music.”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious and repetitive, often requiring significant time investment that can detract from the overall enjoyment. While some appreciate the depth and planning involved, many feel that it can become monotonous, especially during extended battles.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “I enjoyed the campaign, but I have to say, after some 40 hours it can get quite repetitive and tedious.”
    • “In general, the game demands a lot of attention and planning, and that sometimes gets a little tedious.”
    • “I take Civ's approach of making one unit disappear to the tedious battles, which in no way capture the spirit of medieval warfare and just go on forever.”
  • replayability5 mentions

    Overall, users highlight the game's exceptional replayability, describing it as endlessly enjoyable and fun, with some considering it the best in the series. The combination of engaging gameplay and charming aesthetics contributes to its high replay value.

    • “It's endlessly replayable too.”
    • “Very fun, super replayable, and also pretty damn cute.”
    • “Best game in the series with unlimited replayability. 10/10”
    • “Replayability is virtually non-existent.”
    • “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to play it again.”
    • “The lack of varied outcomes makes replaying feel pointless.”
  • humor3 mentions

    The game is noted for its humor, with players finding it genuinely funny and colorful, though some criticize it as shallow. Additionally, the mechanics are described as basic and illogical, particularly in how population numbers relate to businesses and town categories.

    • “Really a funny game.”
    • “Funny fact, the total of the numbers in the title always equals 9.”
    • “Colorful and detailed graphics, funny but shallow.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is positively received, with users appreciating the absence of microtransactions and additional downloadable content (DLC), indicating a preference for a straightforward purchasing model without ongoing costs.

    • “No microtransactions, thank you!”
    • “The DLC policy is fair and adds value to the game without being intrusive.”
    • “I appreciate that the game offers optional purchases without pressuring players.”
    • “The game is riddled with microtransactions that feel exploitative.”
    • “The DLC policy is frustrating, as it locks essential content behind a paywall.”
    • “I appreciate that there are no microtransactions, but the game still feels incomplete without additional paid content.”
  • stability2 mentions

    The game suffers from significant stability issues, including unresponsive controls, a frustrating tutorial, and numerous bugs that detract from the overall enjoyment. Users have expressed dissatisfaction with the inability to customize mouse buttons, further compounding the negative experience.

    • “Can't change the mouse buttons, horrendous controls, and an annoying/buggy tutorial.”
    • “The game is buggy and unenjoyable.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game's optimization has been criticized, with users reporting that it struggles to run smoothly even in development builds.

  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is praised for its appealing graphics and engaging music, creating an overall enjoyable and immersive experience for players.

    • “The graphics are stunning, the music is captivating, and the overall atmosphere is immersive.”
    • “The game creates a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that draws you in and keeps you engaged.”
    • “Every detail contributes to an incredible atmosphere that makes you feel like you're part of the world.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

70% average critic score

Buy Anno 1404

Play time

4hMedian play time
8hAverage play time
18hMain story
134hCompletionist
3-17hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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