Anno 1800

80%
Game Brain Score Based on 7,379 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
Anno 1800 Game Cover
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Anno 1800 is a city-building real-time strategy game set in the industrial revolution. Players must balance economic growth, resource management, and political alliances while developing their own unique empire. With a focus on detailed city-building and intricate trade routes, Anno 1800 offers a rich and immersive gameplay experience for fans of the genre.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 7,379 reviews
gameplay235 positive mentions
stability60 negative mentions
  • Engaging city-building mechanics with intricate production chains and resource management.
  • Stunning graphics and attention to detail that create an immersive 19th-century atmosphere.
  • Highly addictive gameplay that keeps players invested for hours on end.
  • Ubisoft Connect is a frustrating requirement that often leads to authentication issues and crashes.
  • The learning curve can be steep, with a lack of clear tutorials for new players.
  • Excessive reliance on DLCs, which can feel overpriced and necessary for a complete experience.
  • gameplay594 mentions

    The gameplay of *Anno 1800* is characterized by its intricate mechanics and deep resource management systems, offering a rewarding yet challenging experience for players. While the game features stunning visuals and a rich city-building environment, many users note a steep learning curve and a need for better tutorials to fully grasp its complex mechanics. Overall, the gameplay is engaging and immersive, with a mix of strategic planning and economic simulation that keeps players invested for hours.

    • “The game has interesting mechanics, decent complexity, and is beautifully crafted with a lot of attention to detail.”
    • “Being able to buy and sell goods on the global market is an incredibly rewarding and lucrative part of the gameplay loop.”
    • “The gameplay in Anno 1800 strikes a perfect balance between accessibility and complexity.”
    • “It feels like gameplay has been dumbed down to allow more processing power for its impressive animations and graphics.”
    • “The ship battle mechanics also feel a bit unclear to me.”
    • “The tutorial needs to be way more robust; the conditions of defeat are unknown and not divulged to the player, and the mechanics are an exercise in frustration.”
  • graphics460 mentions

    The graphics of Anno 1800 have received widespread acclaim, with many players praising the stunning visuals, detailed environments, and vibrant aesthetics that effectively capture the industrial age. The game's art style, dynamic weather effects, and attention to detail contribute to an immersive experience, although some users noted performance issues on lower-end systems. Overall, the graphics are considered a standout feature, enhancing both the gameplay and the overall enjoyment of the city-building experience.

    • “The graphics are stunning, the gameplay is phenomenally deep, and thus far I have encountered zero bugs (or any issues).”
    • “The graphics are amazing and the old-time aesthetic is really captured quite nicely, and the decorations in-game look beautiful.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, the gameplay is complex and engaging, and the multiplayer aspect adds a whole new dimension to the game.”
    • “The graphics are worse than Age of Empires 2 even when maxed out.”
    • “This is a classic example of why graphics don't make a video game - the graphics in this game are spectacular, but the story and the gameplay is seriously lacking.”
    • “The graphics and audio all look well up to par for this day and age, and zooming in on your citizens is a delight.”
  • story421 mentions

    The story aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its engaging narrative and character development, while others criticize it for being buggy and convoluted. Many users noted that the main campaign serves as a tutorial, providing a basic storyline that can become repetitive and overshadowed by numerous side quests, which often feel trivial or frustrating. Overall, while the game offers a rich world and interesting quests, technical issues and a lack of depth in the main story detract from the overall experience.

    • “The game's visuals and story, and how many layers of gameplay it has, is just awesome.”
    • “The campaign story is really good in each expansion, and the gameplay is both challenging and relaxing at the same time.”
    • “The story is great, and all characters have a voice actor.”
    • “I like the game, but I can't progress anymore because there is a game-breaking bug in chapter 4 where the queen's ship was destroyed carrying the court summons, and a new ship will not appear with another, so I am hard stuck at the 'prosecution' quest with no way of fixing it without just resetting my save completely.”
    • “The story line is rather lame.”
    • “The story of the campaign is a trope, a frequently used storyline that makes it boring and predictable.”
  • music159 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its beautiful orchestration and ability to enhance the immersive experience, with many players noting its calming and atmospheric qualities. While some reviewers mentioned that the soundtrack can become repetitive due to its limited length, the overall quality and thematic fit with the game's setting have been praised as exceptional. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, complementing the stunning visuals and gameplay.

    • “The soundtrack deserves special mention, as it beautifully complements the game's atmosphere, enhancing the historical immersion.”
    • “What surprised me most is the incredible soundtrack; it's beautifully orchestrated and really accompanies you as you're playing.”
    • “The atmospheric and well-composed music along with the ambient sounds of bustling cities, flowing waters, and cawing seagulls augment the immersive experience, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the game.”
    • “Jumping from region map to world map and back to region map can completely mess up the music.”
    • “The whole soundtrack is only 2 hours, which is split among multiple worlds.”
    • “So it quickly becomes repetitive, even though the music itself is pretty good.”
  • optimization108 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its ability to run smoothly on a variety of systems, while others report significant performance issues, particularly in late-game scenarios. Many users express frustration with stuttering, FPS drops, and the impact of Denuvo on performance, suggesting that the game could benefit from better multi-core optimization. Overall, while some players enjoy a seamless experience, a notable portion of the community is disappointed by the game's inconsistent performance and optimization challenges.

    • “This is such an amazing game; the optimization, the customization, and the direction you want to play the game in are simply amazing.”
    • “Great game for those that love city building, optimization, combat, and management!”
    • “The game runs smoothly with minimal bugs or glitches, showcasing a polished finish.”
    • “Unfortunately, I've encountered performance issues with the game.”
    • “This is just poor optimization.”
    • “One really negative thing I have to say about it is the absolutely horrible optimization.”
  • stability67 mentions

    The stability of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with numerous users reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and various bugs that hinder gameplay. Many players expressed frustration with the Ubisoft Connect launcher, citing it as a significant source of issues, including difficulties in launching the game and troubleshooting. While some users noted a smooth experience after extended play, the overall consensus is that the game is plagued by stability problems, making it difficult to recommend, especially given its high price point.

    • “Going to start again; I went bankrupt figuring out the mechanics of the game, but it's totally replayable, so I'm more than happy to do it. Now I know I'll be the greatest! It's my style; I love figuring games out, and it makes me feel like I'm achieving things. No glitches, errors, or gameplay problems 4 hours in.”
    • “First off, this new offering is the best in the series since 1404 (Dawn of Discovery). Wonderful gameplay, gorgeous graphics, fantastic expansion packs, and years later, the game runs great too. This is a must-buy for any fan of PC gaming or city builders.”
    • “The game itself looks gorgeous, plays seamlessly, and has no glitches or FPS drops for me (okay, I have a Ryzen 7 and NVIDIA 1660, so it is as expected).”
    • “I shouldn't need to spend hours troubleshooting launching a game within 2 hours of purchasing a $90 AAA studio title.”
    • “The game is incredibly buggy, crashing often.”
    • “In itself, Anno 1800 is a great game, perhaps even the best in the series... but bugs, freezes, and constant crashes keep you from enjoying this game.”
  • grinding55 mentions

    The reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be a mixed experience; while some players find it tedious and overly reliant on micromanagement, others appreciate the depth and content that keeps them engaged for long hours. Many note that the game can become monotonous, especially in the late stages, with repetitive tasks and resource management, but some also highlight that it avoids unnecessary grind through well-designed mechanics. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as a double-edged sword, offering both rewarding gameplay and potential frustration.

    • “A bit grindy... sometimes.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “Looks nice, but slow and tedious progression.”
    • “Unless you love resource chains and don't mind having to go back and make more of the lower-level chains to support an increasing population needed for larger ones, this game will probably end up feeling tedious.”
    • “After putting in over a hundred hours, I'm thinking of asking Ubisoft for a paycheck because the longer this game goes on, the more micro-managing of tedious supply chains across multiple islands and regions you have to do.”
  • replayability41 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players praising its depth, customization options, and multiplayer mode, which contribute to a high replay value. However, some critics note a lack of variety in gameplay mechanics across sessions, leading to diminished replayability for certain players. Overall, while many find it infinitely replayable, others feel it may not sustain long-term interest.

    • “Wonderfully complex, but easy to get the hang of, they've really done something special with this infinitely replayable game.”
    • “There is a lot of content here, lots of replayability, great variation on playstyles and strategies.”
    • “All in all, this game has an ungodly amount of content, depth, and replay value especially if you get all the DLC that has come out thus far and is still to be released.”
    • “I haven't found the game to have much replay value - you'll be building the same buildings and progressing the exact same way on every playthrough, but I suppose that's just the nature of the genre.”
    • “Bad gameplay loop, poor replayability, always online features cause the game to lag during single-player play, and excessive DLC.”
    • “Campaign mode has low replay value.”
  • atmosphere27 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its immersive historical setting, particularly reflecting the charm of the industrial revolution. Players commend the stunning graphics, detailed environments, and a well-composed soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. The combination of these elements creates a lively and engaging atmosphere, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “The soundtrack deserves special mention, as it beautifully complements the game's atmosphere, enhancing the historical immersion.”
    • “The atmospheric and well-composed music along with the ambient sounds of bustling cities, flowing waters, and cawing seagulls augment the immersive experience, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the game.”
    • “Set in the industrial age, this game has an amazing atmosphere, beautiful music, great gameplay, and gorgeous graphics. All these add to a wonderful experience in the city-building, resource management, and simulation genre.”
    • “Unfortunately, the controls are a little hard to pick up at first, and its lack of a save scumming feature often means that one mistake usually results in a catastrophic cascade failure that renders the art and atmosphere moot, because if you actually want to win, you are going to be going over spreadsheets and planning optimization calculations instead of enjoying the game.”
    • “The atmosphere and soundtrack are also done very well.”
    • “The game's stunning graphics meticulously recreate the era, with detailed architecture and a lively atmosphere.”
  • monetization12 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism, with users expressing frustration over mandatory Ubisoft account creation, intrusive ads, and aggressive DLC promotions. Many feel that the game, while solid, is marred by a cash grab mentality, as it pushes players towards additional purchases and data collection practices that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the monetization approach is seen as exploitative, overshadowing the game's quality.

    • “Forcing you to create a Ubisoft account so they can steal your data and give you ads is very annoying to say the least.”
    • “Overall, avoid this cheap cash grab.”
    • “You buy a full price title and get ads for season passes on day one without them being announced before release.”
  • humor11 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of dry wit, amusing character interactions, and quirky one-liners that elicit genuine chuckles. Players appreciate the comedic elements, such as pirates sending money out of affection and characters with funny accents, although some feel that the humor can be hit or miss, with occasional glitches detracting from the experience. Overall, the game offers a lighthearted tone that complements its strategic gameplay.

    • “Even the pirates start sending you money because they love you so much, that's so funny.”
    • “The characters pop up every now and then with some hilarious one-liners which do make you chuckle...”
    • “They basically have a funny accent and then yell a single word at you over and over again (queen! duty! islands! etc.) - characterization nailed!”
    • “The humor in the game feels insignificant and often relies on glitches that aren't funny.”
    • “I found the jokes to be flat and lacking any real wit or creativity.”
    • “The attempts at humor often fall flat, making the experience more cringeworthy than entertaining.”
  • emotional7 mentions

    Players express a deep emotional connection to games like Anno 1800, highlighting the impact of its soundtrack, art, and cooperative gameplay on their experiences. Many describe moments of joy and frustration that evoke strong feelings, making the game memorable and meaningful. However, some users also share negative emotional experiences related to technical issues, leading to frustration and disappointment.

    • “It's like the game has its own emotional soundtrack that fits perfectly with the ups and downs of building your empire.”
    • “Makes me want to cry because I can't win in a single siege.”
    • “The music, the details, the artwork... it is amazing - my boyfriend and I play it together and those hours where we build and visit each other's island are just the most wholesome hours of our evenings.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

16hMedian play time
112hAverage play time
6-70hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 76 analyzed playthroughs

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