Anno 2205

If you are at all on the fence on finding a game which can deliver a rich experience and dozens of hours of gameplay with a great mix of resource management, city building, and RTS combat: this just might fit the bill.

70%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

replayability, grinding

69% User Score Based on 2,744 reviews

Critic Score 72%Based on 12 reviews

Platforms

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About

Anno 2205 is a city-building and economic simulation game set in the future. Players must manage production chains, balance resources, and expand their cities on a global scale, from arctic environments to tropical islands. The game features strategic urban planning, research and development, and real-time combat against AI-controlled factions.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

69%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,756 reviews

story87 positive mentions

replayability40 negative mentions

Stunning graphics and beautiful environments that enhance the gameplay experience.
Engaging resource management and city-building mechanics that keep players invested for hours.
The introduction of multiple regions (temperate, arctic, lunar) adds depth and variety to gameplay.

The combat system is repetitive and feels disconnected from the main gameplay, often becoming a chore.
Lack of multiplayer and sandbox modes limits replayability and player creativity.
Uplay integration can lead to frustrating login issues and technical problems, detracting from the overall experience.

story
668 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
75%
12%
The story in Anno 2205 is generally viewed as linear and underwhelming, often reduced to a series of repetitive fetch quests and combat missions that lack depth and engagement. While some players appreciate the futuristic setting and the integration of missions into the gameplay, many criticize the narrative for being shallow and disconnected from the core city-building experience, leading to a sense of monotony. Overall, the campaign serves more as a tutorial for gameplay mechanics rather than a compelling narrative journey.
- “What truly sets Anno 2205 apart is its compelling futuristic storyline, immersing players in a captivating narrative.”
- “The story is delivered through assorted tasks, which simultaneously act as a sort of 'tutorial' for unlocking new blueprints.”
- “I love the futuristic vibe and the story and world is interesting as well.”
- “The story is boring and outright unnecessary - the story provided a very basic idea of what the goal was to 'completing' the game, but dragged it along with a few forgettable characters and annoying supporting characters.”
- “The combat missions are a bit repetitive but overall the concept and gameplay capture my imagination and I am pleased to have spent the money.”
- “The main story is sort of average, with no huge twists or surprises.”
gameplay
507 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
70%
6%
The gameplay of Anno 2205 has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its streamlined mechanics and simplified resource management compared to previous titles in the series. While the multi-region gameplay and unique environmental challenges add depth and variety, some fans feel that the removal of complex systems and combat elements has led to a more casual and less engaging experience. Overall, the game is praised for its beautiful graphics and accessibility, but criticized for lacking the depth and challenge that long-time fans of the series expect.
- “Each region has its own unique challenges and resources, making the gameplay varied and interesting.”
- “The gameplay mechanics are both accessible and complex, catering to both newcomers and seasoned fans.”
- “The combination of finely tuned city-building and economy-management gameplay makes for an addictive experience that is impossible to put down.”
- “The core logistics management gameplay loop is recognizably Anno, but otherwise 2205 is a completely experimental departure from every previous game in the series I've played.”
- “The gameplay is a way too far downhill from the other Anno games.”
- “The military missions are much more explosive with the much more arcade style of gameplay, with improvements in the effects, etc. Large bridges extend and connect islands in the temperate region.”
graphics
401 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
34%
2%
The graphics in Anno 2205 are widely praised for their stunning detail and vibrant aesthetics, with many reviewers highlighting the impressive environments, intricate building designs, and dynamic landscapes that enhance the overall experience. While the visuals are often described as a standout feature, some players note that the game's simplified mechanics and gameplay may detract from the depth expected in a city-building title. Overall, the graphics are considered top-notch, making the game visually appealing, though opinions vary on whether they compensate for other gameplay shortcomings.
- “The game’s visuals are stunning, with detailed environments and beautifully designed buildings that make your cities come to life.”
- “This installment brilliantly combines intricate city management with stunning visuals, creating an immersive experience that transports you to a vibrant, high-tech world.”
- “The graphics are beautiful, the music is soothing, and the general city building and logistics are very well executed.”
- “1800 is 1404 with fancy graphics.”
- “As hyped for space Anno as I was, I couldn't bear how simplistic it was; it turned into one of those mobile games just with fancy graphics.”
- “But aside from pretty graphics, Anno 2205 is so bad that I'm deliberately finding out where the review section is to warn others about this game.”
replayability
133 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
56%
30%
Overall, the game exhibits very limited replayability, primarily due to its lack of random map generation and fixed environments, which leads to repetitive gameplay after the initial campaign. While some players find enjoyment in revisiting the game periodically, many express disappointment over the absence of multiplayer options and diverse challenges that could enhance replay value. Despite its engaging mechanics, the consensus is that the game falls short in providing a compelling reason to replay once the main storyline is completed.
- “The different environments definitely make the game much more interesting and replayable.”
- “Still a great strategy game with lots of replayability.”
- “These scenarios were very interesting and provided much replay value.”
- “The game doesn't offer a ton of replay value; once you're into the end game, it gets very dull very quickly.”
- “Overall, the game has very little replay value as it has no random content and is hence very limited.”
- “It was rather enjoyable in the first couple of hours, but it quickly descended into a tedious and boring drag with no replay value.”
grinding
88 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
97%
The reviews highlight a pervasive sense of tedium and repetitiveness associated with grinding in the game, with many players expressing frustration over the lack of a global market, tedious quest systems, and resource management. While some appreciate the removal of certain micromanagement elements, the overall experience is often described as mindless and lacking in challenge, leading to a grind-heavy gameplay that detracts from enjoyment. Many players feel that the game becomes a chore rather than a rewarding experience as they progress.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “First of all, you cannot trade with the global market which is a huge pain as that means you are left to produce every single item yourself. This makes the game even more shallow but at the same time more tedious and slow.”
- “The experience ends up being very grindy and repetitive and is, frankly, more of a box to tick off on a to-do list so you can get back to the part of the game that's actually good.”
- “It was rather enjoyable in the first couple of hours but it quickly descended into a tedious and boring drag with no replay value.”
optimization
60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
60%
20%
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues regardless of their hardware capabilities. While some users have experienced smooth gameplay, others have noted frame rate drops and poor optimization, particularly in terms of resource management and logistics mechanics. The visuals are praised, but the lack of effective optimization detracts from the overall experience, leading to frustration for many players.
- “The main draw of this game - and the best-developed mechanic - is cost optimization.”
- “Game does not 'end' as you can always improve on your optimization.”
- “A lot of reviews are claiming it's been dumbed down, but it is fact simply better optimized to remove a lot of the nitpicky micromanaging that got so tedious late in the game.”
- “Gone are optimized city layouts or industry layouts that rely on proximity to delivery carts or services, instead opting for global pools of 'logistics' and expansive ranges on many items.”
- “The game is not optimized well; I have a 4790k processor, MSI Gaming GTX 970 4G GPU, and 16GB of RAM, and running at ultra settings I was getting poor FPS.”
- “A lot of reviews are claiming it's been dumbed down, but it is simply better optimized to remove a lot of the nitpicky micromanaging that got so tedious late in the game.”
music
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
31%
6%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its calming and immersive qualities that enhance the overall atmosphere. While some players find the soundtrack to be beautiful and well-composed, others feel it falls short compared to previous entries in the series, describing it as less memorable or even disappointing. Overall, the music is generally regarded as a strong aspect of the game, contributing positively to the experience despite some criticisms.
- “Moreover, the game’s soundtrack and sound design perfectly complement the futuristic setting, enhancing the overall atmosphere and immersion.”
- “Its so calming playing this game and the music is so relaxing; I hope you guys keep up the great work with these games. I'll be getting the next one whenever it comes out.”
- “Music is amazing, gameplay is very enjoyable, story is much better than previous Anno games, and it's overall just a great experience.”
- “The soundtrack is poor and could have been a lot better; the gameplay is great at first but then slowly goes downhill.”
- “But with Anno 2205 all of that is gone, and I'm not saying that lightly; there is no story, it looks like Anno 2070, and its soundtrack is a failed attempt.”
- “The graphics are decent; the music isn't all too noteworthy.”
stability
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
3%
64%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting frequent freezes, crashes, and various technical glitches that hinder gameplay. While some players have noted that the game runs well and is visually appealing, others have expressed frustration over the buggy launcher and performance issues, particularly during combat and when loading new areas. Overall, the game's stability appears to be inconsistent, with some players experiencing a relatively smooth experience while others face significant problems.
- “Better than 1800 as it's well designed and bug free.”
- “Worth noting (even though it should be pretty normal): first game published by Ubisoft I've seen in a while that is bug free from launch!”
- “The game runs bug free so far for me, it looks gorgeous and is easy to pick up and play even if you are not a veteran without dumbing it down.”
- “Frequent freezes and crashes to desktop result in a highly frustrating gaming experience.”
- “I'm sure the game is great... but I can't get past the terrible Uplay barrier and after many troubleshooting steps (about 2 hours) I just gave up and requested a refund.”
- “This is a buggy broken mess.”
atmosphere
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
8%
17%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its relaxing and immersive qualities, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack and impressive graphics. Players appreciate the hopeful outlook on humanity and the engaging interactions with NPCs, making it a visually stunning and calming experience, despite some concerns about pacing and repetitiveness in gameplay. Overall, it is recommended for those seeking a casual city-building game with a strong atmospheric focus.
- “Moreover, the game’s soundtrack and sound design perfectly complement the futuristic setting, enhancing the overall atmosphere and immersion.”
- “The atmosphere is relaxing and calming.”
- “Last but not least, I must mention the atmosphere this game has to offer; the interactions (or better the monologues) of the NPCs are very entertaining.”
humor
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
92%
25%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag; while some players find it genuinely funny and recommend it for its lightheartedness, others feel that the humor is overly simplistic or inconsistent. There are moments of comedic relief, particularly in player interactions and creative ideas, but the combat system lacks humor and can become repetitive. Overall, the game's humor is appreciated by many, though it could be improved.
- “It's where fun and interesting, and it's pretty funny, so I recommend it.”
- “I don't have to say much, but it's so funny!”
- “Some of the ideas for future products are creative and humorous.”
- “The humor in this game feels insignificant and often relies on glitches that aren't funny.”
- “I found the jokes to be flat and lacking any real wit, making the humor fall completely flat.”
- “The attempts at humor are so forced that they detract from the overall experience.”
monetization
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
30%
50%
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism, with players expressing frustration over the presence of ads and additional costs for content that should have been included at launch. Many feel that the game resembles a mobile title with microtransactions, despite lacking them, and are disappointed by the push for a season pass and DLC shortly after release. Overall, players perceive the monetization approach as greedy and deceptive, detracting from the overall experience.
- “This game feels astonishingly like a mobile base building game; yet without microtransactions.”
- “Compared to the freemium game, the game has no microtransactions and you do not have to wait for buildings to be built.”
- “I paid for the product; I don't want to see ads for even more of your products.”
- “Now after taking my money, advertising that I'd get proper content for it later on, Ubisoft gets greedy and wants me to pay even more for features that should have been in the game from day one.”
- “Dumbed down gameplay, microtransactions for resources, a Bejeweled-esque partner app, and a season pass advertising specific DLC only weeks after release makes this latest Anno game a complete letdown.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a lack of emotional investment in the game, feeling isolated despite the presence of other companies. The experience is described as solitary, leading to a disconnection from the game's emotional engagement.
- “I mainly play with myself and the AI, but this game made me feel like it was just me solo in the game, even though there are other companies; they aren't in the systems.”