HYDERABAD, India (GizTimes) —Anno 117: Pax Romana is located during the peak time of the Roman Empire, while the release date of the first DLC of Anno 117, called Prophecies of Ash, is scheduled for April 23, 2026, along with an expansion in Latium and a volcano system. The update is notable for introducing the largest island in the series’ history and a dynamic environmental hazard that adds both scale and risk to the core city-building experience.
In the DLC, Latium gets extended by a belt of islands in the north comprising five regular islands along with a large continental island known as Cinis. The area’s design elements are based on volcanic eruptions with lava canals, craters, thermal pools, and dark-colored soils. In terms of space, the expansion is a major one and complements the game’s concept of multi-layered regional development.
Cinis stands out as the centerpiece of the expansion. Described by developers as the largest island ever created in the Anno series, it is roughly 13 percent larger than Crown Falls from Anno 1800 and offers more than double the buildable space compared to the base game’s largest islands. Its terrain is segmented by cliffs and rivers, introducing natural divisions that affect city planning while also providing more slots for river and mountain-based systems. The design shifts toward enabling “megalopolis”-scale construction, reducing one of the franchise’s traditional constraints limited space.
This increased liberty, however, comes with the addition of an active volcano around Cinis. As opposed to previous games in which such dangers have been prominent in the center of the city, the location is strategically placed away from the core area so that city building is not hindered but at the same time the danger still exists. Volcanic eruptions can cause destruction of buildings and bring about volcanic winters that affect economic operations. Nonetheless, this does not mean that players cannot eliminate this danger.
This DLC was created for the purposes of working together with all previously existing saves of the game, meaning that players do not have to start from scratch in order to utilize new content. Alternatively, players may decide to simply start from Cinis from the beginning or find it in their gameplay experience. In addition, there is an option of deciding whether AI opponents will be allowed to colonize the island.
A new non-playable character known as Oracle Caecilia is introduced in Cinis. Since she has been a witness to the previous volcanic activity, she helps you with missions which will teach you the reasons for a volcano eruption. She is an optional character to interact with, just like in the DLC.
Moreover, Prophecies of Ash also supports the thematic thrust of the core game, which is all about the ascendency and collapse of Roman civilization. In linking success to environmental volatility, the expansion pack enriches the game play mechanisms through storytelling. The juxtaposition of rapid expansion of cities against unexpected natural phenomena captures an important theme throughout history.
This expansion follows the usual pattern of Ubisoft’s Anno series, whereby the post-launch expansions make the game far more complex and enjoyable than the original game. Unlike Anno 1800, whose seasons ended up being much more complex than the original games, Anno 117 appears to follow the same pattern. Whereas Anno 1800 had innovations such as electricity and skyscrapers, “Prophecies of Ash” can be described by its large-scale mechanics as an innovation.
The trailer announcing this DLC became available on April 9, 2026, on YouTube, allowing players a sneak peek into the volcanic setting and its large-scale building capabilities. The latest entry in the developer’s blog mostly covers the details related to world expansion and island creation, with more information on the volcano to be revealed in the next entry.
The importance of this issue lies in its connection to the development of the Anno series after the release. With the addition of the large island that eliminates spatial restrictions, the DLC breaks one of the basic principles of the game design in the Anno series. Meanwhile, the volcanic system tries to incorporate difficulty into the game again, but not by restricting resources but by threatening players with danger.
Gamers reactions based on comments from r/Games, seems mixed yet enthusiastic. Players seem skeptical about buying the DLC because of fatigue associated with titles that are extensively expanded, but others feel like the DLC is inevitable in ensuring that the game meets its predecessors in terms of depth.
The first player shows reluctance due to the previous experience with Anno 1800, where he or she became tired after spending too much time on the initial levels and extensions. Despite coming back to the game afterward with full season passes available, the individual found it hard to get back into it again. Therefore, the player decides to wait a couple of years before getting their hands on Anno 117: Pax Romana.
The second player counters the criticisms raised about Anno 117: Pax Romana by stating that there is always an element of nostalgia involved when comparing it to Anno 1800. The reason behind this is that Anno 1800 took many updates before achieving its present level of depth; therefore, 117 comes with more systems from the start. Nevertheless, the other player also recognizes the irritation regarding the slow pace of DLC releases.
The third player is more moderate in their stance, pointing out that although they loved Anno 117: Pax Romana, the current game does not yet have the same level of evolution that Anno 1800 possesses. They point out how in Anno 1800, the game changes drastically even during one playthrough from its initial stages involving agriculture to eventually encompassing globalization and all the technological advancements that come with it. Although they are very excited for any future additions, such as Egypt or Asia, they are worried that the game’s period setting might hinder any further development.
Generally, the reaction towards Anno 117: Pax Romana and its expansion “Prophecies of Ash” is both enthusiastic and cautious, combining appreciation for the game’s ambition with wariness regarding its longevity. This reflects a general attitude of careful optimism within a culture that expects games to prove themselves over time through expansions.
The upcoming Prophecies of Ash DLC will likely determine whether Anno 117’s shift toward large-scale freedom and optional challenge succeeds or fails.
