Anno 117: Pax Romana is giving strategy and city-building fans a great reason to jump in right now: the game is currently free to play for a limited time. If you’ve been curious about the newest entry in the long-running Anno series, this promotion lets you test the experience without paying upfront and decide later whether it deserves a permanent spot in your library.
First released in November 2025, Anno 117: Pax Romana puts you in charge as a Roman-era city planner and military leader, but the adventure isn’t set in historical Italy. Instead, it offers a fresh setting while keeping the familiar Anno formula of building thriving settlements, managing production chains, expanding trade, and balancing growth with strategy.
The free-to-play window runs from 26 February through 2 March. During that time, the game can be played at no cost on Ubisoft Connect as well as on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles. The promotion also appears to include the Epic Games Store even though it isn’t highlighted as clearly. If you start playing now and decide to buy the game later, your saved progress can carry over, so your weekend effort won’t be wasted.
If you do choose to purchase after trying it, there are discounts available for a limited period. The Standard Edition is currently marked down to $45 from $60 in the Ubisoft Store until 12 March. Keep in mind that this is the Standard Edition and does not include a season pass. There are also physical options for PlayStation 5 buyers, with deals that can drop the price further depending on the retailer. For fans who like premium extras, a Governor’s Edition is also on offer, bundling the Gold Edition with a selection of collectible items.
In terms of gameplay, Anno 117: Pax Romana is widely seen as a strong and polished city-building game with meaningful tweaks to the formula. While it may not overhaul the series as dramatically as Anno 1800 ultimately did after years of post-launch expansions, it still brings interesting changes and a solid foundation for long-term support. A season pass is already available, and an Egypt-themed DLC is planned for release later this year—an expansion that should add new systems and fresh variety for returning players.
If you’ve been looking for a deep, satisfying city-builder with a Roman twist, this free weekend is one of the easiest ways to see whether Anno 117: Pax Romana fits your style—without any risk, and with your progress ready to continue if you decide to buy.
