Anno 2205

 PC
  • Publisher: Ubisoft
  • Release Date: Nov 2, 2015
User Score
6.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 332 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 147 out of 332
  2. Mixed: 83 out of 332
  3. Negative: 102 out of 332
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  1. Traslogan
    Nov 3, 2015
    3
    By any other name this would be a nice city-sim game, but as an Anno game this has simply just went on a 10-mile hike out of its comfort zone in the worst possible direction. We've lost our random-maps, story-mode is mandatory, no sandbox, the AI is now completely non-existent as an actual opponent (100% story and menu based), the few features that have been kept from the previous gamesBy any other name this would be a nice city-sim game, but as an Anno game this has simply just went on a 10-mile hike out of its comfort zone in the worst possible direction. We've lost our random-maps, story-mode is mandatory, no sandbox, the AI is now completely non-existent as an actual opponent (100% story and menu based), the few features that have been kept from the previous games haven't even been explained by the extremely lacking tutorial / story.

    I don't even know how a developer could see this as the next logical step in the series, even if it was serving as a reboot (which it isn't, judging by release times and the fact that it's simply continuing the naming conventions of the previous games).

    For anyone who wanted more of the same, you're better off scouring for mods for the previous games (Anno 2070 has one or two big mods out there if you can find them).

    Aside from its severe issues actually being an Anno game, it brings its own serious host of issues:

    The in-game economy is extremely volatile. Without extensive pre-planning you are simply screwed over every time because the game fully expects you to max-optimize all of your buildings before they are really usable.

    The AI that pops up as dialogue (Not like it pops up anywhere else now) is extremely spammy and even if you try to cancel its pop-ups, it barely gives you a minute before the spam continues.

    In general bugs, there isn't too many and that area seems okay, other than the time I got my ship to sail through islands because obviously the pathfinding simply did not care.

    The loading times are pretty bad too for the new multi-map mechanic. I'm running Anno 2205 on SSD with an i7 skylake and a 980Ti in my rig, but I still wait 20-25s for a map to load, and many times it ends up with a story cinematic over it and the game simply will not run smoothly and I end up with a jittery cinematic as if I'm trying to run this on a 20-year-old PC

    To note, the lead-developer of this Anno installment is the same one working on the previous 3 titles. The same person who knew the success formula to Anno has managed to completely override it into this strange product that no longer relates to its predecessors. It's as if Call of Duty decided its next installment would be better with RPG stats and isometric 3D.

    This is no longer Anno. If you want Anno, you're out of luck.    … Expand
  2. JackPaladin
    Nov 3, 2015
    4
    Great graphics. Above average sound and music. Greatly simplified game mechanics. And they have removed multiplayer; conflicts and battles with other AIs; Trade routes; diplomacy; random maps; and all buildings can now magically be moved to any other location without cost or penalty. It's a tablet version of the game for the casual crowd.
  3. Randomehro
    Nov 5, 2015
    3
    Unfortunatelly, Anno 2205 is a big disappointment. I was expecting a game similar to Anno 1404 or rather 2070 with expanded features. The game was changed radically. Here are main problems with this game:

    - The mechanics of this game has been massively simplified, and is a real offense to the IQ of every Anno series fan. The game is boring, there are no enemies on the map, no threat, no    Unfortunatelly, Anno 2205 is a big disappointment. I was expecting a game similar to Anno 1404 or rather 2070 with expanded features. The game was changed radically. Here are main problems with this game:

    - The mechanics of this game has been massively simplified, and is a real offense to the IQ of every Anno series fan. The game is boring, there are no enemies on the map, no threat, no need to transfer resources between islands, unlimited resources, less freedom to construct harbors, no need to carefully plan the structure of your city, no need for careful balancing of the resources.

    - No mutliplayer! I loved to play Anno 1404 Venice and Anno 2070 with my friends on custom randomly generated maps.

    - No sandbox mode.

    - No factions! Really?! WTF! The whole complexity and depth of the game was destroyed.

    - Overpriced. This game should cost $15 for what it offers.

    + The only good side is improved graphics.    … Expand
  4. MoonStorm
    Nov 13, 2015
    4
    I'm trying hard to find another game in this genre that is similarly bad in terms of simulation in this day and age. Most of the time you'll find yourself watching the needs bar, applying the formula supply >= demand. A few more twists when it comes to the coverage of a few buildings, but I'm not talking about industry here. With the exception of the arctic region, you can place theI'm trying hard to find another game in this genre that is similarly bad in terms of simulation in this day and age. Most of the time you'll find yourself watching the needs bar, applying the formula supply >= demand. A few more twists when it comes to the coverage of a few buildings, but I'm not talking about industry here. With the exception of the arctic region, you can place the industry wherever you want. Stick a building on the other side of the map and in an instant, your citizens will be happy and the demand will be met. There are no fluctuations, no time in transit for the goods to reach their destinations, no traffic worries, nothing about how the workers will reach their factories, no shops for the population to purchase the goods.

    The stupid side missions and the passable but completely unwanted mini combat games which take place in a separate isolated environment, together with the nice graphics, have all helped me progress in the game. But the problem still remains. This game is not pulling me in, and the cities seem lifeless from high up there where I'm watching the income and the needs bar. Playing in multiple regions having slightly different rules is a nice refreshing twist, but Ubisoft Blue Byte has unfortunately missed the ball with the dumbed down simulation.    … Expand
  5. zeleniy
    Nov 15, 2015
    2
    Bad optimization. Not interesting quests. The new combat system filed a miserable arcade. Too easy economically. For 3-4 days the game comes a time when there is nothing to do in the game. Sad funeral of ANNO series
  6. DeyvsonCaliman
    Jul 25, 2016
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game has a new approach to this franchise, the market is simplified, we don't control trade routes by sea anymore. It had some advantages, since it had become boring, to some extent, to deal with all those details and micromanagement issues. In this game we build 3 kinds of cities, normal ones, ice ones and space colonies. Each one produces what the other need, so we have to develop them and trade what they make with what others make.

    If in other games of the seires we suffer with micromanagement issues as our empire grows. In this one it is too oversimplified, everything seems too previously calculated. But It was good to some extent, as we could expend more time building and expanding. I had a really good time playing the game, but it got a little boring before it should. Even so it doesn't change the fact that it is a very good game.    … Expand
  7. marqpas
    Jan 23, 2016
    2
    First: every other Anno is better. And while pretending to also be a lunar citybuilder, it shows (from earth) the moon moving in the sky from right to left !!! Incredible. Even games like Railroad Tycoon 3 and Simcity 5 got this right. Then the atrocious gameplay: You are the CEO of MegaCorp, so (yeah sure) take crate A from B to C and crate D from B to C. Do this twice and help Doctor EFGFirst: every other Anno is better. And while pretending to also be a lunar citybuilder, it shows (from earth) the moon moving in the sky from right to left !!! Incredible. Even games like Railroad Tycoon 3 and Simcity 5 got this right. Then the atrocious gameplay: You are the CEO of MegaCorp, so (yeah sure) take crate A from B to C and crate D from B to C. Do this twice and help Doctor EFG to get crates H/K. Then click once to build a prebuild building, and haul more crates from all over the map to other places on the map. Now talk to the CFO from UltraCorp and haul crate L to place M. The CFO also lost crates at N,O and P. Please haul these crates behind your truck ( it's 2205, so you have to click and click and click again to hook the crates to your vehicle) Now talk to the board of directors, who seem to have lost some crates..... ah.... reinstalling Anno 1404 will hopefully make me forget this... not a game, but what... tour of mindnumbing duty. The music is substandard (all movie music you ever heard in a blender and respawned), but the graphics are nice!… Expand
  8. bobant92
    Nov 18, 2015
    6
    i was very hyped for this game, but it turned out to be far less than i expected.

    it looks great, and still takes some micromanagement skills, but comparing it to 2070, it feels like a downgrade. no shipbuilding, trade routes feel simplified, and after setting up the basics, there is really nothing to do, but build even more production and build even more dwellings, and then do the    i was very hyped for this game, but it turned out to be far less than i expected.

    it looks great, and still takes some micromanagement skills, but comparing it to 2070, it feels like a downgrade. no shipbuilding, trade routes feel simplified, and after setting up the basics, there is really nothing to do, but build even more production and build even more dwellings, and then do the same on the moon. that pretty much kills all replayability.

    not the most economy management game i played, but i expected more from this franchise.    … Expand
  9. Oloorin
    Dec 8, 2015
    5
    This is what a missed opportunity looks like. The chance to expand the series and improve upon the core features has been thrown by the wayside. There are positives to this game, I won't deny that. The biomes are pretty cool, and the graphics are pretty. Compared to previous instalments in the series however, I can't recommend purchasing this game for those who have enjoy those. WhereasThis is what a missed opportunity looks like. The chance to expand the series and improve upon the core features has been thrown by the wayside. There are positives to this game, I won't deny that. The biomes are pretty cool, and the graphics are pretty. Compared to previous instalments in the series however, I can't recommend purchasing this game for those who have enjoy those. Whereas before, there was actually some process to becoming more familiar with the amount of resource buildings needed for your population, that is gone. Instead, you've got an easy to use menu that displays how much of a resource you are gaining or losing, and takes out all the guesswork. It is simply stupidly easy, and there isn't any re- playability value. You are going to absolutely love this game if you're one of those people that didn't like the previous games because they were 'too hard'.
    The combat, while pretty and full of explosions, is arcadey in nature, and has pretty much absolutely no bearing on your success. Whereas in ANNO 2070, you would be required to build up a fleet and engage in battles to protect your trade routes and smite your enemies, your only motivation now is for rare resources that you can't seem to get rid of fast enough. Quests keep on being spammed at you constantly, making you mildly tempted to tear out your hair at times. No multiplayer or scenario mode, basically make this a one-time play through game, which is infinitely poorer than previous instalments, so you may as well start with those. To reiterate, this game doesn't really belong in the same series as the rest, and should only be picked up by the casual crowd who like stupidly boring games after a long day at work.    … Expand
  10. Robinjhoe
    Feb 14, 2016
    5
    I like Anno 1701. I love Anno 2070 with its depth and its Scifi setting. So I was already on the Hypetrain when they seriously shocked me with the trailer from Anno 2205 at E3. I really looked forward to this game. I imagined it to have the same economy system like 2070 but with the Moon and even further in the future.

    What did I get? A dumbed down casualized Anno game. Dont get me    I like Anno 1701. I love Anno 2070 with its depth and its Scifi setting. So I was already on the Hypetrain when they seriously shocked me with the trailer from Anno 2205 at E3. I really looked forward to this game. I imagined it to have the same economy system like 2070 but with the Moon and even further in the future.

    What did I get? A dumbed down casualized Anno game. Dont get me wrong the visuals are awesome and the first time you get to the moon is just awesome. But.... thats all? There is no endless mode.... in an Anno game... they removed everything unique about the Anno games and dumbed it down! Factories teleport their stuff everywhere. No logistics! There is actually only the story over and over again. You could ognore it. But sometimes you have to do it or else you can not advance.

    As always disappointed to the core.    … Expand
  11. towerofpower256
    Jul 23, 2017
    10
    Very good game.

    The Good: - Faster pace than other Anno games, less waiting around (except quests) - Easier layouts, as most production buildings stack as either a box or a column - Multiple maps at once, keeps regions and resources interesting - No trading between islands in the same region - Most resources just use supply/demand, not "how much do I have in storage" (balance the    Very good game.

    The Good:
    - Faster pace than other Anno games, less waiting around (except quests)
    - Easier layouts, as most production buildings stack as either a box or a column
    - Multiple maps at once, keeps regions and resources interesting
    - No trading between islands in the same region
    - Most resources just use supply/demand, not "how much do I have in storage" (balance the demand and you're good)
    - Incentives to enter combat

    The Bad:
    - No multiplayer
    - Story is pretty lacklustre
    - AI contacts can be like spammy pop-ups, reminding you to do things
    - Quests can "drag on" as you wait for you command ship to go from one place to another, often just feels monotonous and time-wasting    … Expand
  12. guilhermefdias
    Feb 19, 2016
    0
    Disappointing. I have been an Anno fan for a while, and while this is a serviceable city builder, it is NOT an Anno game. No logistics, no defending your home turf, the characters have no character, no production difficulties, and no open custom maps. It opts for the "balancing jobs with workers" dynamic, that pretty much every other city builder is already doing better. In short, thisDisappointing. I have been an Anno fan for a while, and while this is a serviceable city builder, it is NOT an Anno game. No logistics, no defending your home turf, the characters have no character, no production difficulties, and no open custom maps. It opts for the "balancing jobs with workers" dynamic, that pretty much every other city builder is already doing better. In short, this game does to Anno, what C&C4 did to the Command and Conquer series.

    If you are not an Anno fan, but like shiny, easy, city builders, buy it when it hits a good sale.

    If you are an Anno fan, avoid 2250, cry, save your money and go fire up a custom map on 2070    … Expand
  13. barkogy
    Nov 6, 2015
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I was waiting for this game, but what I have is far from what was expected. Most of the original Anno features are changed or removed. These features made Anno games unique and preferred. Removing or simplifying the original functions just killed the game.

    Anno 2205 is more like a spin-off from the original Anno games. I do not consider it part of the sequel. Now it is just one of the many city builder games with nice graphics.

    Money makers at Ubisoft, it does not work like this. In Anno 2205 I was expected "Anno 2070 with moon race". Ships not only on the sea but spaceships, space trade vessels, space harbors, laser defences in the spaceports, unique gadgets to find on the moon, space laboratory, space station....a lot of inventions...

    Sure it will be discounted in a couple of weeks....    … Expand
  14. tehace
    Nov 5, 2015
    8
    Fisrt of Im not a diehard fan of previous Anno titles therefore Im not noticing lack of features. I've read the negative opinions most of them are from players that were expecting the same. Im not saying the changes are good nor bad but for me it played pretty decently.

    I enjoyed building my corporation, buying competitors and expanding to their lands, Im not the fan of the RTS element    Fisrt of Im not a diehard fan of previous Anno titles therefore Im not noticing lack of features. I've read the negative opinions most of them are from players that were expecting the same. Im not saying the changes are good nor bad but for me it played pretty decently.

    I enjoyed building my corporation, buying competitors and expanding to their lands, Im not the fan of the RTS element of it, but I played it 3 times to get some starting resources and than never touched it again, so far I never lacked the materials they provide. Several hours in the game starts to be a bit more complex, oh well not complex the game is rather easy going. I started knowing nothing, I ran into debt after quite a while as I've build a **** of unnecessary architecture, once I did I got a bailout with interest and rather easily figured out whats what, the game doesnt punish you at all as I quickly moved things around and disable production in all production facilitates that were producing excessive goods. From than on the game mostly orbited around chilly city building. I really enjoyed that aspect of building 'good looking' city instated of min-maxing everything with ugly looking most optimal builds. The arctic is kind of exception from that rule but I liked that those regions have a different feeling to them, like logistic seems to be a **** in arctic region mostly due to you being limited in usable space and having to cover long distances between your mines, the moon is rather expensive on the other hand, you have more freedom but it cost quite a bit, once you upgrade the starport so it can transmit energy it also opens up additional ways of managing your resources.

    My opinion is a bit biased because Im playing this game in 3d and it looks really well (apart from some issues with rendering that I can live with), mines are super good looking as is the skyline of the mix with more advanced buildings or massive crop fields / facilities you eventually have to build. The ability to relocate freely really gives you freedom to build 4fun. People that are looking for a challenge might be disapointed. I almost completely disregarded the campaign if there is any, I'm not sure I havent noticed :) for me it feels like a sandbox, very chilly, you dont seem to be pressured by anything, so you should keep that in mind if you're looking for something else.

    Lastly I havent noticed any performance issues, I mean the game is not running in 120fps all ultra (im using an old 680/i7-3930k combo) but I can set the settings relatively high and still enjoy city building in 40+ fps its not the kind of a game that requires twitch reflex. The loading times are barely noticeable, the first 10-15% seems to be getting a bit than it just swirls and is gtg I usually check / adjust trade routes in that time so I dont notice it that much at all. I suppose if you dont enjoy the game at all you will boil inside for all the extra time you need to keep up with the game ;p maybe you should just stop playing than? There is really no point in torturing yourself thinking you will change the game to be somethign else with the power of your imagination.

    Im not sure about replay value but I expect it to be minimal, wihtout 'factions' per say and it seems like you can buy-out all the regions from your competitors during one playtime so there would really be very little incentive to start over than just to have a different start place and maybe expand differently like maybe go fast on corporate levels and money to buy out one of the earth competitors before going to the arctic I have no idea but there might be one reason to play it again, not sure if there is more. I wouldnt buy it at full price, it was like half the price on greenmangaming and its not that bad of an offer.    … Expand
  15. Gcritics
    Nov 4, 2015
    6
    En los últimos tiempos han aparecido varios juegos de gestión de ciudades, sin duda la sorpresa fue Cities Skyline. En el caso de Anno, se presenta una perspectiva diferente que en si no llena a los jugadores mas críticos. El juego es parcialmente bueno, sin embargo aveces resulta un tanto aburrido, dando la impresión que todo es sumamente monótono y no existe una verdadera libertad paraEn los últimos tiempos han aparecido varios juegos de gestión de ciudades, sin duda la sorpresa fue Cities Skyline. En el caso de Anno, se presenta una perspectiva diferente que en si no llena a los jugadores mas críticos. El juego es parcialmente bueno, sin embargo aveces resulta un tanto aburrido, dando la impresión que todo es sumamente monótono y no existe una verdadera libertad para el jugador, eso si ni hablar de las batallas navales considerando que no es lo mejor del juego . El veredicto final sobre este juego es que es divertido a ratos pero no es para jugarlo ni mucho menos la revelación del año.… Expand
  16. kant10
    Nov 9, 2015
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. What a disappointment!

    Anno 2205 a highly anticipated yet. A logical continuation of the excellent Anno 2070 would have been welcome. Lot is lost in Gameplay, too, no doubt. The concept was planed at all levels, management, strategy, diplomacy. Once apprehended game mechanics we finish the tutorial scenario partly fifteen hours ... then politely asked to determine a goal to reach 1 million. And this is the end. No different scenario. No sandbox. No new map. If you replay the game you retype the same scenario, and especially the same map. No more random map.

    Fini also the management of warehouses, since the system is automated. Fini management or trade routes had to build its own merchant vessel fleet, there also is automated and shortened to a simple exchange of goods on the world market or in its own territories.

    Fini also trees productions, there you have a groin 50 goods to produce in all (3 territories) against the triple see double in previous games including Anno 2070 where we had with each of the three factions full production trees .

    Fini tax management which sometimes saved us from bankruptcy. Again this is automated.

    And diplomacy then? ... Nonexistent.
    Bon bah trade then? We'll see in a few days or weeks the limits of the global market system ...

    So visually beautiful, it has more the feeling of the hands a beautiful empty shell. We already feel coming 3 to 4 or 5 dlc 15/25 euros each, that will make the full game Anno 2205 it should have been at launch. In made if you want to get in Anno 2205, know that it will cost you 100 euros in a groin and several months of waiting for a full game.

    It also feels that Ubisoft is on the wrong track, already the last 2 assassin's creed was not a success (me being taken in by marketing AC unity I have not bought the last AC syndicate), whereas now he sabotages us the Anno series with the help of blue byte ...

    Anno 2205, a game made for trailer pretty but empty of its essence ....    … Expand
  17. AAnimanga
    Nov 8, 2015
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I can really feel the ambition on this game but the sacrifices that has been done may well be its downfall.
    To be honest i didn't play much before come here and search for reviews curious what the others has to say. And sadly i will agree to them.
    Breathtaking scenarios, outstanding graphics and the experience to travel to moon are for sure the positives of the game. But there is no Anno in them.

    -No Hard-trading decisions. That system along with the use of the warehouses is almost obliterated from the old series.
    - No danger in each section with no battles.
    -No Drastic environment, environmental changes or checking the climate feature that was in Anno 2070. Sad that this wasn't included in the game.
    -Ships really feel that there is no use of them.
    -Fun enjoyable quests missing from the game.
    -Strategic resources are no more strategic. You can farm anything, anywhere, in any island. You lose the need to search for taking an island just for its resources.
    -Mission maps are like a mini game which reminded something from the 90's. I found it poorly made and repeating.

    To be honest as much as I anticipated for the game feels like i didn't get a reward. I am sure that the expansion that follows (always does) can be a great improvement to a game, that has a potential, but not the proper quality for the Anno series. How much we must wait and see...

    If not for the graphics and the moon experience the score would be even lower...    … Expand
  18. BlackMagix
    Nov 5, 2015
    8
    As someone who was introduced into anno at 2070, I'm really enjoying this game. It brings the aspects of what I loved about 2070 (city building, resource management, and map development) and greatly expanded upon it.

    I love that once I finish with one map, it retains it's resources and I can come back to it to help influence my other colonies in other parts of the world. The military    As someone who was introduced into anno at 2070, I'm really enjoying this game. It brings the aspects of what I loved about 2070 (city building, resource management, and map development) and greatly expanded upon it.

    I love that once I finish with one map, it retains it's resources and I can come back to it to help influence my other colonies in other parts of the world.

    The military portion of the game feels tacked on however and more of a chore than an enjoyment. If it weren't for the military portion, I'd rate this game higher.    … Expand
  19. MariaMaria
    Nov 6, 2015
    10
    For those who make some ridiculous and absurd claims in order to only downrate the game, inform yourself next time, before make any preorders or unwanted purchases.

    Some facts: It was announced a year ago that Anno 2205 won't have a multiplayer mode, that skirmishes won't have any weight and be limited to certain campaign chapter. The global market will have an massive overall, with    For those who make some ridiculous and absurd claims in order to only downrate the game, inform yourself next time, before make any preorders or unwanted purchases.

    Some facts:

    It was announced a year ago that Anno 2205 won't have a multiplayer mode, that skirmishes won't have any weight and be limited to certain campaign chapter. The global market will have an massive overall, with simplified and intuitive management. That the sandbox mode will be rather a continuous mode with certain goals and working population; that demands raw materials, interaction, and better environment etc.

    So haters, **** off.    … Expand
  20. knarkworst
    Nov 4, 2015
    1
    Many changes... But unfortunatly not in a good way.

    Really Anno.... The future again? And this is what you came up with? Really dissapointing.... This game is a mistake, and not worth a Anno title, it destroyed what made Anno great. Tips for next game: Go back in history (1910) would be great. Bring back the military aspect with fleets and bring back AI players. DONT DUMB down    Many changes... But unfortunatly not in a good way.

    Really Anno.... The future again? And this is what you came up with? Really dissapointing....
    This game is a mistake, and not worth a Anno title, it destroyed what made Anno great.

    Tips for next game:

    Go back in history (1910) would be great.
    Bring back the military aspect with fleets and bring back AI players.
    DONT DUMB down the resource aspect anymore.

    Anno 2205 is in my opinion a huge mistake.    … Expand
  21. SirSponge
    Nov 4, 2015
    8
    Having currently clocked just over 10 hours on Anno 2205 I am not even close to the end of my first corporation however I have experienced most of the elements which are on offer and would currently give the game an 8 out of 10. I have previously played Anno 2070 I would have to agree with the overall consensus that Blue Byte has tried to adapt the series to cater to more casual players,Having currently clocked just over 10 hours on Anno 2205 I am not even close to the end of my first corporation however I have experienced most of the elements which are on offer and would currently give the game an 8 out of 10. I have previously played Anno 2070 I would have to agree with the overall consensus that Blue Byte has tried to adapt the series to cater to more casual players, removing areas such as diminishing resources and taking out the coop aspects entirely.

    That being said what is on offer is still grounded in traditional Anno concepts, you still have to manage trade between multiple regions to advance your population, with each new population level demanding a vast array of products to grow. The new Arctic and Lunar settings bring to light areas which city sims are yet to really explore and do so in a way which makes each development site feel unique and burdened with their own problems for you to solve. For me personally trying to grow your moon colony whilst supporting it from Earth with resources and also balancing your economy is when the game is at its best.

    The visuals and sound are great, with the graphics really having a colorful flare to them which ever increases the games futuristic feel. Each building is beautifully designed and animated with Anno 2205 also adopting the module building expansions from Sim City, allowing you to personalize your industry buildings and further expand them without having to build an entirely new one.

    The game does fall of the rails a bit when it comes to combat, with the ship battles being comparable to that of a mobile game. Basically you will be granted access to these external missions whereby you control a small fleet and attempt to destroy a rival corporations infrastructure and resources. With the combat revolving around using special abilities and spam attacks. I've never really understood why combat was needed in Anno games, when the focus is predominantly on city management and trade and for me this mode felt a bit rushed and ultimately pointless.

    Overall I do feel that this game is a step forward, Anno 2205 still retains the core features that made the original games great (if somewhat simplified) and also brings new elements to the table with the additional regions to settle. I do understand where some people are coming from by expressing their annoyance with its simplification but I do believe that if you enjoyed previous Anno games or city sims in general you should at least consider looking into Anno 2205 as it is at least trying to innovate in areas, even if that means taking a few steps backwards in others.    … Expand
  22. alefou
    Nov 6, 2015
    3
    All that made an "Anno" game has diseapered. This is like a smartphone game developped on PC. No strategy, no diplomacy, no gestion, this is a shame. I have the same feeling when i played the reboot of simcity.
  23. Sjalka
    Nov 6, 2015
    8
    This game is both - very awesome - and also very disappointing.

    One tends to be quite conservative when it comes to long time franchises. There is a certain and very specific expectation of "what the game should be like" - which acts counterproductive to progress. With that said ... the new Anno is in many aspects - a very new game. The look and feel of the UI and how you approach it    This game is both - very awesome - and also very disappointing.

    One tends to be quite conservative when it comes to long time franchises. There is a certain and very specific expectation of "what the game should be like" - which acts counterproductive to progress.

    With that said ... the new Anno is in many aspects - a very new game. The look and feel of the UI and how you approach it is the same or at least very similar - but it kind of lacks some core mechanics. But lets start with the positives... :

    The game looks very good and runs very well even on medium computers. Design and style fits very nicely into its near futuristic outlook. It is not over the top "Star Trek"- like in terms of city design and technology (aside from flying cars) ... there is still a good balance of beauty and industrial design that kind of comes in an "Apple"- look ... sort of. (meaning, everything is a bit too sterile, too white, too smooth - but design-wise in a positive way)

    The terrain looks amazing (at a great cost - which i ll get to in the negative things) - and the feeling of tranquility - which i value highly for Anno games is present. Yes - it is real time ... and yes - there are opponents (or meant to be... ) you are still given a lot of time - and the game mechanics do have patience and forgive all but the gravest mistakes. (a little too much forgiving for many people i daresay)

    But wait - there are negative sides, too ... :

    Firstly - my beloved "Endless mode" kind of misses. I have to admit - i do not care for the Anno story ONE BIT - i consider them about as tedious as a tutorial to a game that is not too complicated to understand. With the absence of the endless mode comes (or at least i guess that is a consequence) no random maps. As pointed out in the positives - the terrain looks great ... but not random - rather re-designed. And while the more recent Anno titles used predefined islands rather than tile based seeds anyway - here the entire world is kind of "set". So ... yea - it is a bit like Sim City on a fixed area map.

    Then there is the lack of any urgency. I did point out that the tranquility is a very nice aspect of Anno - but it never felt like a total absence of enemies. While Anno enemies may not have tried to conquer and invade the players sand castles - there had always been a kind of competition over the resources of the various islands ... a kind of "he who comes first..." - along with a grudge of the ones that were only second.

    One reason i can see for that is that the game is not really "existential" anymore. By that i mean ... in the "past" Anno titles - it was all about imperialism, independence and autonomy - even at the cost of living at the edge of starvation. In the last "future" Anno, it was about survival against nature on a mostly hostile planet (i think we can consider water to be hostile to humans for the most part). The latest Anno however never made me feel like there was any real threat at all.

    Other than that ... comparing the game to city builders like "City Skylines" or even "Sim City" ... i kind of feel a little disappointed by the geometry of building. I realize that it allows the game to probably run much better on lower end computers - but i still wish it would allow me to build my settlements other than in 90 degrees square designs. While it made sense on the tile based Anno titles - the new maps simply are so much more organic - yet the cities we build do not match it. This is but a small nitpick though.

    All in all - it is a solid 8/10 from me - a worthy successor that is daring enough to depart from the old anno roots. While i may not agree with all the changes - i fully agree with change by principle. Buuuuut .... personally - i kind of (still) prefer to play Anno 2070 - if i want to play an Anno game that is.    … Expand
  24. MaxHestings
    Nov 8, 2015
    10
    Great game!

    The sandbox mode is now at the end of the campaign and you can do multiple sessions and combine them together. I have played all the Anno games over the last 20 years and this is another great Anno game. Don't get thrown off by within few hours, the game has a huge endless mode that starts after the story stuff is done. Improved controls, improved graphics and some    Great game!

    The sandbox mode is now at the end of the campaign and you can do multiple sessions and combine them together. I have played all the Anno games over the last 20 years and this is another great Anno game.

    Don't get thrown off by within few hours, the game has a huge endless mode that starts after the story stuff is done. Improved controls, improved graphics and some awesome new features make up for no coop and a lack of map generator.    … Expand
  25. jiang
    Nov 12, 2015
    0
    boring game. not anno anymore.
    no pros

    cons only
    -no MP
    -resource management is no longer needed
    -stockpiling of resources and controlling the market is no longer do able because of the new feature of how resource production works.

    Basically not ANNO any more
  26. Kojot93
    Nov 4, 2015
    0
    I don't know hat happened to this game. I am great anno fan I have played every anno game of anno series and i'm totally disappointed. That game is totally not an anno game. Don't know why it gets so good reviews (well some aren't that good). The thing is its more like some puzzle game that should be available on mobile. There are no ai opponents like in previous anno games, militaryI don't know hat happened to this game. I am great anno fan I have played every anno game of anno series and i'm totally disappointed. That game is totally not an anno game. Don't know why it gets so good reviews (well some aren't that good). The thing is its more like some puzzle game that should be available on mobile. There are no ai opponents like in previous anno games, military aspect is almost non-existent, and economy management is nothing in comparison to previous anno titles.

    The main core of anno series was great balance between city builder and rts, and that is what made this series so awesome and uniqe. In previous titles you could not just grow your city but you had to take care of possible threats. What we have now is some simplified puzzle game with maybe great graphics but who cares if you have nothing to do after like 15 hours of gameplay. I hope they will fix this game in expansion because it really is not worth your money. You can buy it at -75% discount but not for full price.

    Actually don't buy it even on discount unless they will fix gameplay in some expansion and i still hope they will.    … Expand
  27. terminatahx
    Nov 7, 2015
    2
    Extremely disappointed in the game. Basically the depth of the game is removed and there is no sandbox mode. Instead you get a 3 tiered pseudo campaign. In game options are a shell of what Anno 2070 provides. Gameplay seems disjointed and nonsensical. Theres no sense of challenge or accomplishment. Graphics are the only positive. This is essentially Ubisoft trying to capatilize onExtremely disappointed in the game. Basically the depth of the game is removed and there is no sandbox mode. Instead you get a 3 tiered pseudo campaign. In game options are a shell of what Anno 2070 provides. Gameplay seems disjointed and nonsensical. Theres no sense of challenge or accomplishment. Graphics are the only positive. This is essentially Ubisoft trying to capatilize on the "trust" that previous Anno Titles have earned. Not work buying.… Expand
  28. hrsr0
    Nov 8, 2015
    2
    Anno 2205 , all they (ubisoft or bluebyte we the customers will never know who the hell destroyed the franchise with anno 2205 being and utter disgrace) had to do is do a sequel to anno 2070, they failed :

    Random map generator removed THrill of getting to the first big island and colonizing it before ai removed Battles vs as opponents for islands/resources on same map removed Eco    Anno 2205 , all they (ubisoft or bluebyte we the customers will never know who the hell destroyed the franchise with anno 2205 being and utter disgrace) had to do is do a sequel to anno 2070, they failed :

    Random map generator removed
    THrill of getting to the first big island and colonizing it before ai removed
    Battles vs as opponents for islands/resources on same map removed
    Eco score removed
    Warehousing , and other quintessential anno* franchise features removed
    Building defenses vs pirates/ai to defend your island removed
    Continous game removed ( even though campaign can be played ad infinitum its pointles its the same map over and over. )

    Essentially ubi$cam destroyed anno franchise it removed EVERYTHING THAT MADE an ANNO* game an anno game, what a goddamn disaster and shame incredible one of the oldest franchises on pc dies at the hands of ubi$cam, it had a good run though anno 2070 was stellar, not an perfect game but still an 200% anno game not like this anno 2205 wich is -125% anno its an pos city builder wich isnt that good anyway if i WANTED TO BUY A DAMNEd city builder i would of purchased cities skylines not anno

    Graphics are outstanding
    Attention to detail amazing best in series other than that its dead what a shame.    … Expand
  29. Rick_Terminal
    Nov 6, 2015
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Spoiler alert:
    This game is POINTLESS, and you WILL BE BORED AFTER 6 HOURS. (*Assuming you have played 1404 and 2070 to death already). Hope I didn't ruin the surprise.

    1/10 seems a harsh score, but considering the £60 fee I paid for this, it feels justified. I have played this for 2 days and I have no wish to return until the DLC is released. Why would I bother, there is nothing left to see?

    I'm probably just reiterating what others have said, but here is the pro and con list:

    Pro: Um... I've not thought of a pro yet. It looks OK in UHD, I suppose?
    Con: £60??! (with season pass) Come off it Ubisoft
    Con: It is soul-less and monochrome in nature. Even Germans want to funk up Wagner sometimes!
    Con: Dull. So very dull. It's like watching files copy from one directory to another.
    Con: A better tutorial is needed for newer players. Flashing icons to show what to click, perhaps?
    Con: No replay value. Islands are set in stone, and there is no multiplayer.
    Con: No random maps (see above)
    Con: Feeble rewards for finishing missions. A light show? Really? 4 hours work for a poxy light show?
    Con: Missions are unrewarding, dull, and are designed to waste as much of your time as possible.
    Con: You cannot actually win or lose, because you cannot lose your islands
    Con: The "enemy" is actually totally impotent, as is the player. As I said you can't win or lose.
    Con: No invade or being invaded - the "competition" only serves to offer you missions (see "dull" above).
    Con: You cannot see what the competition is doing - you either outrank them or you don't.....
    Con: ....But so what anyway? You can't win or lose, remember? (Oh, have I said that before?)
    Con: No apparent "end game"... Things just stop happening. That's pretty anti-climatic.
    Con: One dimensional characters - couldn't care less about any of them, and they don't matter at all.
    Con: Only 8 ships??! What the...? No upgrades apart from "rank"?!
    Con: This game sucks of being forced in to publication early after a huge cut in features. Blame the d***head in charge who project managed the game or forced a premature release.

    It breaks my heart to see the series come up with this. No doubt it will sell a load because of the fan base, so Ubisoft will assume it's a trick worth repeating, but this is a terrible game.

    In summary: AVOID! Try buying 1404+Venice or 2070 instead (if you have not already).    … Expand
  30. RogalDorn01
    Nov 9, 2015
    9
    I can certainly see why people are divided about this game. If the thing that excited you about the previous Anno games was multiplayer or ship combat or a story plot than this definitely isn't going to go well for you. if you, like me, played the previous games strictly single player and relished the balancing act of growing your cities and balancing the trade network between them thenI can certainly see why people are divided about this game. If the thing that excited you about the previous Anno games was multiplayer or ship combat or a story plot than this definitely isn't going to go well for you. if you, like me, played the previous games strictly single player and relished the balancing act of growing your cities and balancing the trade network between them then you are IN LUCK! It would seem that Blue Byte put 99% of their development budget into making this game for you. This is a seriously fun city builder and it is immensely satisfying to keep everything going smoothly. Disclaimer: I have only played the game on the hardest difficulty settings, so keeping your budget balanced is actually tough and there are no bailouts. I flirted with bankruptcy a few times getting my Arctic region up and running, but by the time I started my moon colony I was totally unprepared for how expensive it would be.

    Overall, I rate it a 9. But I think this one is going to be Love / Hate for fans of the series with very little middle ground.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

44
#44 Most Discussed PC Game of 2015
42
#42 Most Shared PC Game of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 45 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 45
  3. Negative: 1 out of 45
  1. Pelit (Finland)
    Mar 31, 2016
    81
    Doesn’t reach the stars but will get you to the moon. [March 2016]
  2. PCWorld
    Jan 19, 2016
    80
    Anno 2205 is polished, clever, and Tages-free, but falls prey to the same repetitive, micromanagement-heavy end-game grind that's always plagued the series.
    Read full review
  3. CD-Action
    Jan 12, 2016
    70
    After initial delight and ten hours of fun Anno 2205 became a bit boring. [13/2015, p.40]
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