I loved the previous incarnation of "Anno", called 1503 AD, The New World. I also loved Simcity 4. In my mind, these are both very similar games, especially when you play in continous mode. I found 1503 had a very steep learning curve (that is, it was hard to figure out how to avoid running out of funds). It was very...persnickety, I suppose. 1701 is much less so, and a lot more fun as a result. Just building roads correctly in 1503 was maddening! (That road is CLOSE to the farm, but it's not touching the right part of it---grrr.) None of that silliness here. And boy howdy is it GORGEOUS! I'm running it on a system that barely meets the minimum requirements, and it is smooth as silk, with the best 3D graphics I have yet seen in any PC game. I tried the demo of the much-anticipated Casesar IV, and found the interface very clunky; the graphics sub-par. Quite a disappointment, after waiting all these years. 1701 is the best "Anno" so far, by far. Try the demo, and see for yourself. This is the city builder you were looking for. Have a ball!

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This is, by far, one the the best "city-building," manage an economy, games ever created. You'll find yourself constantly busy either exploring new islands in which to gain resources, or building the necessary resource-gathering,or production buildings necessary to upgrade one's housing (which leads to even more items you'll need to obtain in order to keep your population happy). Though the military aspect of the game may dissapoint some players, the game is really meant for those who enjoy building a healthy enough economy to sustain a large community, which, if you choose, will equipt you with the necessary resources to overtake and destroy your competition - the other AI computer players/opponents. The graphics on this latest edition are breath-taking, and the game runs smoothly without any problems. This installment, following 1602, and 1503 AD (a very underated game in itself) wasn't voted IGN's Economic Similation game of the Year 2006 for nothing. I highly recommend this game to anyone who enjoys the challenge of managing a growing economy, within a city-building style of game.

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I purchased this product after having 1602 for so long. It's a great game and I am pleased that I purchased it.

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It took me awhile to get used to this game, as it differs a lot from 1602 A.D. but once I got the hang of the new interface, I realized how awesome this game really is. I really enjoy the graphics and the interaction with the computer players. I reccomend this game to anyone who loves 1602!

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Not overly complicated, but complex *enough*, with updated graphics. Zoom out for a wide-view, or zoom in to count the freckles on a woman in the market; you can see highly-detailed activities everywhere. Also, by far the best tornadic simulation in a game I've ever seen. Lots to do, lots to explore, with pirates to fight or avoid and other colonists with whom to trade, trick, or fight... or even ignore.

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Without getting too long winded, let me say that this game is very well done and offers some truely addictive gameplay not often seen in most PC games. Anyone not familiar with the ANNO series should seriously consider this their first chance to experience one.

Presentation, execution, and style are through the roof on this game. It performs very well, even on low end machinery, and doesn't have any bugs to slow things down.

Overall, this is a must-have for City-Building or Sim fans, you can't go wrong with this title!

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Firstly, the graphics are quite good. One could be entertained by just watching the graphics without getting involved in the game.

This game requires a fair amount of experimentation to score well. The player can control multiple aspects of the game to play on levels of increasing difficulty. I have been playing it nearly daily since I bought it and I feel I have easily gotten more entertainment value from it than the what it cost me.

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I played this on my Mom's computer when visiting....use to have 1601 version...very addictin, great graphics

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This game is not very much changed from the previous versions of the game. It does have better graphics. If you like city building games, it is worth having in your library of games.

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My brother is an avid war gamer and has even designed some of his own games. He loves this game and is really enjoying it.

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1701 A.D. is an awesome game. Having played the board game on which it is loosely based (Settlers), I found the game play easy, strategy engaging and the graphics and sound both enjoyable and entertaining.

Sadly, I had to copy the entire disk to my drive, as the key code would not work on any of my three PCs, as long as the game was in the drive. I have found, in the past, that installing games from a directory on my drive would eliminate the software protection errors I have received in the past. Certain schema for copy protection have errors when attempting to install games using a number of CD, CD/RW, DVD, and DVD/RW drives. I suspected this was the case and copied the disk to my HD before installing it on my gamer PC system. Once installed, the game was a blast to play.

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Every little detail seems to have been thought through in this game. It starts with the perfectly designed eocnomic system and ends with the tender loving care given to the tiniest models and animations. Not to mention this has to be one of the most stable games to ever grace my high-end computer. People who will love this game:

- economic sim fans

- folks who enjoy interacting with a virtual world at a more leisurely pace

- owners of computers with high-end grpahic cards (the gfx are beautiful and you'll miss them without a good video card)

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I haven't played the previous Anno series but this one is superb. The graphics and game play are awesome to experience. 1701 A. D. is fully 3D and fun to play as well as a real challenge. If you like 'city builder' type games this is the top of the line, IMHO, and all set in the year of 1701.

Object is to inhabit an island and start a civilization. Not all resources are available on this island, (food, cloth, wood, bricks, etc.), so you have to set up trade ships and trade with the other islands all while maintaining a budget. You may also find another island of your own and set up shop there for your own resources.

I highly recommended it and the price is well worth it.

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1701 AD is the best and most addictive game I have played in years. The interface is beautifully done and entertaining while being intuitively easy to use. While there is some aspect or possibility of combat and defense, it is not strictly a part or requirement of the game. In fact, one of the challenges of this game is to build your influence without resorting to violence. Great fun for all ages.

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You have to like city builder games to appreciate this game. the graphics are good, I only wish it had a long senario to play and finish, but mostly this game is free play. My best game is the set up of big Islands, all People and then make it last person standing!

it's a Major time waster this game! I can't even begin to tell you how many hours I have lost to this game!

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