Anno 117: Pax Romana's Top Secret Is a Impressive First-Person View.
Wait — did you know gamers have the option to enjoy the game Anno 117 from a first-person viewpoint? If you're thinking that, your surprise matches as my own reaction upon finding out this hidden feature. Allow me to briefly leave overseeing my civilization, delegate it to a trusted assistant, borrow a cart, and enjoy a ride across the Roman world.
How to Access the First-Person View
In its role as a city-builder, the game Anno 117 is normally experienced from a bird's-eye view. However, if you input a hidden code — such as “Ctrl,” “Shift,” and “R” using PC controls or else “Up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B/Circle, A/X” with a gamepad — you gain the ability to walk the realm as a regular inhabitant. Since a similar easter egg appeared in the earlier game Anno 1800, I was eager to experience it in Ubisoft's newest game, though I was uncertain it would work prior to being chin-deep in a Celtic floorboard (likely not meant to happen — this mode tends to be somewhat unstable occasionally).
Exploring the Ancient Streets
Once I crawled out, I strolled the lively avenues of my city and toured stalls, alehouses, flower fields, and seafood collectors — the experience was splendid to observe my diligent efforts using an entirely new viewpoint. I noticed all kinds of details I wouldn’t have spotted when viewing from overhead: Entryway ornaments, a donkey carrying a flower bucket, chickens running loose, citizens lounging on their terraces… Merely examining the design of a windowsill and the coloration on a post proves fascinating to modern individuals unfamiliar with ancient life.
Further Than Mere Wandering
Yet, the experience extends to Anno 117’s first-person mode than strolling along the road. I was especially delighted when I found out that I could not just look upon agricultural plots, but also access them. And even though I thought interiors would be restricted, I managed to access mud extraction sites, investigate a respected schoolhouse during active classes, and even trespass into people’s gardens. Don’t try to open any doors (not even the creators have the budget for that), but it’s entirely possible wander through a grain field, observe people digging and transporting bags, and take a peek inside any small shack as long as the door is absent.
Visual Quality and Atmosphere
While I was completely ready to witness my city rendered with outdated visual quality, besides some crude animations and the occasional civilian resting inside seating rather than on a bench, first-person mode looks considerably improved over predictions. The meticulously crafted materials (especially stone surfaces) are unexpectedly excellent for a title that remains primarily overhead. You won't necessarily notice any individual strands of hair, yet you will notice wall inscriptions, flames emitting from lights, fading on bricks, eye details, and conifer needles. The night, featuring dancing flames and stars shining in the distance, is especially atmospheric, and feels much less frightening versus the earlier title, given that the populace appears unlike nightmarish entities now.
Experimentation and Customization
Since Anno 117’s super-secret first-person mode has no guided tutorial, I decided to experiment a bit, and quickly discovered the options to jump, sprint, and zoom in or out — the last option enabling me to alternate between immersive and external perspectives and revert. I subsequently tried pressing some number buttons and learned I could modify my avatar's look. Golden robe? Red toga? Sapphire and amethyst dress? Or — perhaps even better — full armor? You might hold a weapon and defense, or, preferably, wear an archer's uniform; if you activate the engage command, you shoot flaming projectiles upward. In case you’re wondering, eliminating citizens cannot be done (not that I attempted, naturally).
Humor and Citizen Interactions
However, I had no desire to injure my people, because they’re way too funny. Only seconds after I landed the immersive perspective, I overheard a father telling his child that “Owning a fox is prohibited and if you offer additional fowl, your gran will have your head.” Understandable stance, father character. One lovely local Celt then began complimenting my excellent cross-cultural strategies by calling it the “Best of both worlds,” whereas an irritable elderly woman opted to menace me: “Repeat that statement, and your disappearance will be permanent.”
The Fun of Vehicle Use
Just when I thought I’d discovered all there is to discover within the game's immersive perspective, I encountered the delight of riding in Ancient Rome. Completely unexpectedly, I clicked on a wagon and quickly occupied the transport. Bovines, equines, even human-pulled carts; you may operate any of them freely. The donkey cart, in particular, moves quite quickly, although you shouldn't expect open-world vehicular chaos — colliding with pedestrians or other carts is impossible (once more, not admitting any attempts).
Battle Constraints
The only thing that disappointed me in Anno 117’s first-person mode was finding out I couldn’t partake in combat situations. Equipped in warrior attire, I approached opposing forces in the midst of battle and endeavored to damage them, yet was completely overlooked. The front-row seat was still rather spectacular, and observing foes flee, their limbs waving wildly, proved very satisfying, but it would’ve been cool to effectively strike targets with my burning arrows.
