Developer : Related Designs / Blue Byte SoftwarePublisher : Ubisoft
Release Date : June 2009
Anno 1404 is a real-time strategy and city-building game and the latest installment in the Anno series. The expansion, titled Anno 1404: Venice, which adds multi-player and other features, was released on February 26, 2010.
The campaign begins when the player is sent to administer a fief granted to him by the Emperor, in the Occident. The Emperor is unwell and Lord Richard Northburgh, cousin and treasurer of the Emperor, is building a magnificent Cathedral to pray for the Emperor's health. Meanwhile, Cardinal Lucius is making preparations for a Crusade against the Orient, aided by Guy Forcas. In the first few chapters of the campaign, the player learns the basics of gameplay and the economy by assisting Northburgh and Forcas with supply and construction tasks, as well as meeting some of the other main characters.
Very addictive game! I got it last week and I've been having a blast! Started the scenarios which provide a good tutorial to get you started and learns you the basics of the game.
The maps you play on have a number of different islands, each with resources and the ability to produce certain items. For example, one island can grow cider and hemp, and have 2 stone pits and 1 iron ore mine, while another island can produce wheat, herbs and grapes, with 2 iron ore mines and 2 bear caves. So this gives the opportunity for you to, instead of buying grapes for example from another AI player, to conquer and settle down on one of the other islands, produce the grapes yourself and set up trading routes to ship the grapes to where they are needed. There are also things like spices that can only be produced in the Oriental (which you can either buy or later on settle on one of the Oriental islands and produce yourself).
Trading is very importing as this is a great source of income for your growing city. Although you do receive income via tax paid by your citizens, it's never enough on its own. As your city expands and more people live there, more buildings will become available for you to build. The more 'advance' your citizens get, the more they will demand of you, and the more they need in order to advance to the next level. Peasants have fairly simple needs like food (fish), cider, community and religion (have access to a church building), while later on nobles will require food (fish, spice, meat), cider, beer and wine, access to a church and cathedral, luxuries like books, fancier clothes like leather garments and fur coats, etc.
You can also do missions for the other AI players (provide supplies, escort a ship to safety, safe castaways, etc) which will grant you reputation points and honour. With honour points you can buy certain advantages in the games. High reputation with another player will allow you to set up trade contracts with them.
It is also possible to wage war against some of the other players, with the ability to build warships (that can also escort your own trade ships to keep them safe), keeps (from where you can build other military units), and you can also build defensive walls and watchtowers around your city for protection.
It's great to see your city advance and set up all the trade routes, great strategy, great city building. The graphics are very good and the details excellent! I'm absolutely loving this game! Can't wait to get back home so I can continue building my city!