Anno 117: Prophecies of Ash

The main pros of the game

• New Deity and Mechanics: The introduction of the new god Vulcan and the volcanic eruption mechanic adds a unique challenge and flavor to the gameplay.
• Expanded Map: The addition of the large island Cinis, which provides a new area for players to build and expand their cities.
• Visual Appeal: Many players praised the graphical presentation of the volcanic eruptions and the overall aesthetics of the new island.
• Potential for New Strategies: The new resource (obsidian) and production chains offer opportunities for creative gameplay, especially for players who enjoy building and managing complex systems.

The main cons of the game

• Limited Content: Many users felt that the DLC lacks substantial content, with only a few new production lines and the volcanic mechanic being insufficient for a full expansion.
• Bugs and Technical Issues: Numerous reviews mentioned game-breaking bugs, crashes, and save file corruption that severely impacted the overall experience.
• Misleading Marketing: Players were disappointed to find that the new island was not actually the largest in the series as claimed, leading to feelings of betrayal regarding the game's marketing.
• Unbalanced Gameplay: The volcanic eruptions can lead to negative effects on cities that some players found frustrating, particularly the long duration of volcanic winter and the impact on happiness and health.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Lack of New Specialists: Users expressed disappointment over the absence of interesting new specialists that could enhance gameplay and strategy, similar to what was available in previous titles like Anno 1800.
• No New Ornaments or Cosmetic Options: Unlike previous DLCs, this expansion did not introduce any new decorative items or building skins, which some players found lacking.
• Complex Production Chains: Many reviews highlighted the need for more engaging and complex production chains that require trade between different regions, which were seen as lacking in this DLC.
• Quality of Life Improvements: Players noted the absence of basic quality-of-life features that were present in earlier games, such as better management tools and UI improvements.

Summary

• Overall, while "Anno 117: Pax Romana – Prophecies of Ash" has some appealing features and potential, it has faced significant criticism for its limited content, technical issues, and unmet player expectations.

Summary generated on: May 8, 2026