Definitely a must-buy from any strategy/simulation and history-related games fans. I have been a loyal Paradox fan throughout the years and this is the only game that can compete with Paradox's offerings. First, the graphics, if you do own a powerful computer (as of 2009), will blow your mind. The German developers did a good job in recreating the isles world balancing out a cartoonish yet realistic look. The postcard mode (F1) will be most useful to players that love taking pictures of their work. Managing the intricate and complex economical system is rewarded with a nifty city-building interface. Customization and specialization of your different colonies will reward any gamers with a sense of accomplishment. The game even lets you embellish your cities with various (but costly) props like trees, wells and statues. Don't be surprised if you are sucked in the Anno 1404 universe and waste several productive hours playing it. The game will, from time to time, tell you that you might want to stop playing and pay attention to your physical needs. The only areas that would need improvement are the diplomatic and war aspects of the game. Waging war against an AI with an endless supply of resources is quite tiresome and at times, downright not entertaining. I would advise players to avoid wars and simply pay of your AI rivals if it keeps you from being dragged into a costly and distracting conflict. The game is available from the get-go in English, French, German and Spanish if I'm not mistaking. I do advise everyone to play the demo and see for yourself.

Better than Anno 1701 in every way :) Thats it! However there is NO multiplayer, at all. There is just a website to upload and share your screenshots and savegames to (why anyone would want to do that). Also, when playing continous games (the free or "skirmish" mode), you can only choose up to 3 computer opponents, even on Large or Huge maps. This however isnt as bad or boring as it sounds due to the fact that each computer player is much improved, and they expand very rapidly. In my first game playing on a Large map with 3 easy opponents, two of them had colonized the orient before i even thought about doing that lol. Also there are tons of neutral, stuff, in the world. There are small outposts on certain islands that you can either destroy, or trade with to gain different resources or advantages. Such as trading with a mountain village on an island in order to gain access to their silk or whatever. Also the pirates are long gone, but replaced by Corsairs. Basically orient pirates. When you first encounter them they sometimes actually ask you for a set ammount of gold to sign a cease fire treaty with you. Much easier than in the previous games to get on good terms with them, at least it seems that way as i never tried it or spent my gold that way yet :) Overall a superb game, as expected. The few opponents on the maps may put off some, but after all this is a game best enjoyed by building up YOUR empire, dont let the lack of MP bother you, this is a game well worth its price.

'Anno 1404' is a great blend between construction, trade and diplomacy. As I'm new to this 'Anno' series of games, I would say that it is a cross between the base building aspect of 'Age of Empires 2' and the trading aspect of 'The Guild 2'. 'Anno 1404' also includes a lot of sailing, as is included in the expantions of both of those other games I mentioned. In my opinion, this series introduces a new, exiting blend. Some key elements are more realistic than what have been seen in the simplest strategy games. That makes it harder to master the game, even though it is easy to get into. 'Anno 1404' requires more thoughtfulness and planning than many other games, and that makes it more fun to play and more addictive! Ye be warned! :-) The obvious purpose for the player's actions, is to ever expand his influence. At the same time, however, everything the player does, affects other things for better or for worse. As soon as the player starts building a base, he also starts fighting a constant battle against bankruptcy. He's just got to stay in financial balance. That's the key element of survival and progress in this game, and it's not so easy to master without steadfast plan and purpose. In his search for resources and riches in the new colonies, the player often stumble upon other players. Thus new question pop up: Will the player make use of his eloquence and diplomatic skills to develop flourishing friendships with new players, or will he choose isolation, bitter rivalry and maybe open war? Maybe he will ally one and fight another? Even in the most peaceful times, unexpected events tend to occur at the least convenient monments. Let me give you a rather embarresing example of that: A fire suddenly brakes out in the wealthiest part of town, which also happens to be the remotest... Then, take into concideration that the player really didn't want to pay for that fire station ten minutes ago. So now, our hero has some urgent choices to make. (And this is the really neat thing, you can solve the problem in many different ways!) So, will he spend all of his last resources to build a fire station in order to put that fire out for good? Or maybe he will trade his way out of the situation? Or maybe he will simply pretend he didn't see it in the first place, hoping that the villagers will manage on their own? Different choices inevitably lead to different results and different consequenses. This makes the whole gaming experience more realistic. The least good thing about 'Anno 1404', may be the military elements. They exist, but they are few and not very exciting: There are some towers, there are some war ships and thera are some green health bars. Unfortunately, that's not enough. The sea battles remind me of the pirates' plunderings in 'The Guild 2: Pirates of the European Seas': A lot of predictable math and little chance is to be found. This makes me say that 'Anno 1404' is not a typically