Anno 117's Pax Romana's Hidden Gem Reveals Itself as a Stunning First-Person Mode.
Hold on — were you aware it's possible to experience the game Anno 117 from a first-person viewpoint? If that’s your reaction, you’re just as shocked compared to my initial response when I discovered this hidden feature. I must temporarily abandon overseeing my civilization, delegate it to a trusted assistant, take a wagon, and go for a joyride around the classical city.
Unlocking the First-Person Mode
Being a city-building title, the game Anno 117 is normally experienced from a bird's-eye view. But, should you press a covert button sequence — including “Ctrl,” “Shift,” and “R” using PC controls alternatively “Up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B/Circle, A/X” on console — you gain the ability to walk the realm as a regular inhabitant. Since a similar easter egg was included in Anno 1800, I felt excited to experience it in Ubisoft's newest game, though I was uncertain it would work prior to being stuck in a Celtic building (possibly an unexpected bug — this mode is somewhat unstable occasionally).
Discovering the Roman Cityscape
Upon freeing myself, I strolled the bustling streets of my city and visited stalls, alehouses, floral patches, and cockle pickers — the experience was splendid to observe the fruits of my labor using an entirely new viewpoint. I noticed a variety of intricacies I might have missed from above: Doorway embellishments, a beast of burden holding a blossom container, poultry scattering about, folks chilling on their balconies… Simply noticing the form of a ledge and the coating on a pillar is quite interesting to modern individuals unfamiliar with ancient life.
More Than Just Walking
Yet, the experience extends to the first-person feature in Anno 117 than strolling along the road. I was especially delighted the moment I learned that not only could I observe agricultural plots, but also step into them. And even though I thought interiors would be restricted, I could walk onto clay pits, explore a prestigious Grammaticus building while lessons were in session, and even trespass into people’s gardens. Don’t try to open any doors (not even the creators planned for that functionality), however, you can definitely wander through a grain field, observe people digging and transporting bags, and take a peek inside any small shack provided the entrance is missing.
Graphics and Ambiance
While I was completely ready to witness my city rendered in PlayStation 1 graphics, apart from certain rough movements and the occasional civilian resting in a bench instead of on a bench, first-person mode looks much better than expected. The meticulously crafted materials (especially stone surfaces) are unexpectedly excellent in what is still, essentially, a top-down game. You may not see any individual strands of hair, yet you will notice wall inscriptions, flames emitting from lights, discoloration of masonry, pupils, and conifer needles. Nighttime, with its flickering fires and celestial bodies twinkling afar, generates a uniquely immersive environment, and also a lot less scary versus the earlier title, given that the populace appears unlike terrifying apparitions now.
Discovery and Modification
Since Anno 117’s super-secret first-person mode doesn’t come with an instruction manual, I opted to try different commands, and immediately located the options to jump, sprint, and zoom in or out — the last option enabling me to switch between first and third-person views and revert. I then decided to hit certain numeric keys and discovered that I could change my character’s appearance. Amber garment? Red toga? Azure and violet outfit? Or — perhaps even better — full armor? You can wield a blade and protection, or, personally chosen, equip a shooter's costume; if you hit the interaction button, you launch incendiary bolts heavenward. Should you be curious, it’s not possible to kill civilians (not that I’ve tried, of course).
Humor and Citizen Interactions
Yet, I didn't want to damage my population, because they’re way too funny. Shortly after I activated first-person mode, I overheard a father telling his child that he “Can’t have a pet fox and should you provide another poultry, your elder will punish you.” Understandable stance, father character. A friendly native Celtic person then started applauding my excellent cross-cultural strategies by describing it as “Ideal combination,” while some cranky old lady opted to menace me: “Repeat that statement, and your disappearance will be permanent.”
The Joy of Joyriding
Just as I assumed I uncovered all possible content in Anno 117: Pax Romana’s first-person mode, I found the joys of joyriding in Ancient Rome. Completely unexpectedly, I selected a carriage and quickly occupied the transport. Oxen, donkeys, even people-powered transports; you may operate any of them freely. The donkey-powered transport, notably, is pretty fast, but don't anticipate Grand Theft Auto-style mischief — you can’t drive into people or other wagons (again, not saying I’ve tried).
Battle Constraints
The single feature that frustrated me regarding the first-person view was learning about my exclusion from in battle encounters. Equipped in warrior attire, I approached opposing forces during active combat and attempted to attack them, but was entirely disregarded. The proximate observation was nonetheless magnificent, and observing foes flee, their appendages thrashing around, seemed enormously rewarding, though it might have been amazing to actually hit something with my burning arrows.
