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1701 A.D.

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8.5 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 30 critic reviews
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Based on 25 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Aspyr

Developer: Related Designs - Sunflowers

Genre(s): Real-Time Strategy

Players: 4

ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older)

Release Date: October 30, 2006

Summary

(Known as "Anno 1701" in the UK/EU) 1701 A.D. is a unique empire building simulation set in the 17th century. In this third episode of the incredibly successful series, players are immersed in the golden age of exploration and trade, where they set out to discover and inhabit new islands – islands that will soon be home to huge cities. Players are tasked with establishing, expanding and maintaining a flourishing medieval metropolis while interacting with other players through trade, diplomacy or military conflicts. 1701 A.D. presents players with a 3D gaming world bursting with life from the vibrant citizens, to the incredibly varied flora and fauna to detailed animated animals. [Aspyr]

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Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

PC Gameworld

Great game at a great price. Easy to pick up for inexperienced gamers and complicated enough to please the hardcore RTS fan.

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Boomtown

If you've a love for games such as Civilization and Settlers then this is one PC game you can't do without. While not as high-profile as those titles it should not be missed.

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Thunderbolt

An extremely engrossing, in-depth civilisation and military game with simple yet effective visuals and very smooth gameplay.

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Worth Playing

The graphics are amazing and definitely deserve special recognition, as does the sound. The multiplayer seems a bit slow at times, but taken with the pros and cons, the pros definitely win out in this game.

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Strategy Informer

1701 offers a nicely presented and deep strategy for gamers looking to sculpt a Caribbean styled empire, with fantastic artwork and interesting gameplay I would highly recommend this for players in the gaming mood to build, rather than destroy.

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PC Gamer

While not quite a work of staggering genius, and a bit laborious in parts, the brazenly intricate 1701 A.D. handily sails into position as the best empire-builder of 2006. [Feb. 2007, p.67]

Computer Games Online RO

Compared to Anno 1503, the pathfinding has been improved substantially.

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GameZone

It is evident that the designers, Related Designs, put their heart into this game, along with a lot of money. The result is very satisfying and there is a lot of bang for your buck.

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IGN

1701 isn't the best economic sim we've ever seen, but it's one of the best we've seen recently. The level of production values for this title are surprisingly high.

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Play.tm

With a refreshingly simple interface, various scenarios and multiplayer options, Anno 1701 presents one of the most charming experiences in the civilisation simulation genre this year.

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AceGamez

Anno 1701 is an addictive game that's easy to lose yourself in. It's the closest a game has come to emulating the easy, fun and challenging gameplay of The Settlers games while accidentally tripping over its own feet and landing on near enough the same disappointing combat system.

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Yahoo! Games

It's a shame there isn't much in the way of non-military resolutions to disputes, as the game's combat system stands out as its key weakness. Even with that proviso, 1701 AD is a game fans of both the series -- and the genre -- will enjoy.

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Gamer's Hell

The game moves at a leisurely pace, and anyone too intimidated by the demands of the scenarios or the continuous play mode can opt to try the simplified sandbox game.

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Games Radar (in-house)

Even though you've done the whole "construct buildings, connect them with roads and upgrade them" thing before, 1701 A.D. has captured the best of the civilization building genre. It doesn't leave any gaps in gameplay that will allow you to exploit a particular way of playing and serves up a challenging and fun experience that will have you mesmerized for hours on end.

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GameSpy

1701 A.D. seems to have struck a nice balance between strategic depth and user friendliness. The game's challenging mix of building management and trading presents a truly enjoyable challenge.

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Play Magazine

Serious depth, a lush soundtrack and pretty visuals conspire to create a fine new addition to the genre. [Dec. 2006, p.101]

Gamers' Temple

The game’s battles muck up what otherwise would be an enjoyable and lighthearted economic and trading sim.

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G4 TV

Though less challenging than "1503 AD", 1701 AD is a much more engrossing game.

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1UP

Daisy-chaining raw resources to refined goods to end products hasn't been this gratifying in years.

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Game Chronicles

The combat and diplomacy features work well and are involved enough to be interesting but does not dominate over other areas of the game. Overall 1701 A.D. is a very good city building simulation game and very fun to play.

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Gaming Nexus

Just when we thought "fun" in an RTS meant a term paper's worth of learning tech trees and tackling tough-graded assignments, 1701 A.D. comes along and reminds us to Keep It Simple, Stupid. Even without some overblown storyline drama, it's impossible to put this one's single-player campaign down.

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PC Format

Manages to overcome its many flaws with an inspiring warmth. [Christmas 2006, p.100]

GameSpot

Great design and atmosphere make this game about Caribbean colonization one of the better city builders to come down the pike in some time.

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PALGN

A real treat for gamers who enjoy economic simulation games, though depth is minimal and may have you looking elsewhere soon enough.

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PC Gamer UK

If you can relax into the game, get past the learning curve and ignore being hit on by an ugly Scottish man, there's a mass of strategy here. [Dec 2006, p.110]

PC Zone UK

One of the most challenging and addictive city-builders we've played this year. [Jan 2007, p.70]

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Eurogamer

What you've got here is a deep, distinctive game that should satisfy all but the most slaughter-obsessed strategy gamers, and cause deep vein blood clots the size of turtle eggs in all but the most fidgety and small-bladdered.

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GameDaily

Although 1701 A.D. doesn't feature any new gameplay concepts, it remains a solid economic strategy game that's easy enough for most players to pick up and get sucked into.

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Sydney Morning Herald

Building farms, mines and warehouses, converting resources into goods, blazing trading routes and watching your settlements grow into prosperous cities is very satisfying.

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Computer Games Magazine

As is typical of city builders, combat is mainly a hands-off resource sink. An RTS this ain't. [Feb. 2007, p.62]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.5 (out of 10) based on 25 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Kristian L. gave it a7:
It's not as good as 1404 which I've been playing for a whjile now. I never knew of this 1701 game, but it is one of the best city/settler/epic builder games out there. Pretty great graphics too. 1404 which is newer, is of course better in every aspect, but that shouldn't take away any of the greatness of this game. 7 is my vote, because I've tried better games like this, but certainly not many. The Anno series is in the super league of citybuilder games out there.

Sam W. gave it a10:
I've played the original (1602 A.D.) on and off for years. It hit me recently that this game might have a sequel. Well it has a few sequels. I skipped past the 1503 game or whatever it is and bought 1701 A.D. on Steam. This game is amazing. I thought they would screw it up bad, I loved the old 2D, 16-Bit looking graphics one and I figured after all these years, there is no way they could make the game as good. Boy was I wrong, it is actually better! Nothing was taken out from the original, features were only added! I play the game on max settings 1920x1080, and the graphics aren't terrific, but they are far from ugly and fit the game well. This is how all sequels should be, improve the game from the original. Add stuff, don't take stuff out. The best economy game (1602 A.D.) got even better (1701 A.D.).

Amber H gave it a9:
Wonderful. One of the most complex strategy games I've played in a long time, with tons of replayability. I wasn't expecting much because this came from a small German software developer, but I got more than my money's worth.

Ralph M gave it a9:
A fantastic game! The only thing keeping this from a 10 is the military system, a side of the game that could use some more work.

Jeremy T. gave it a9:
This may actually be a ten but I'm a tough grader. Great graphics, lots of thinking and options. Definitely goes beyond AoE in strategy. Lots of fun.

Mac S. gave it a7:
Real improvment in terms of graphics and game play, the basic principle of the serie remains unchanged, if you were a fan of 1503 and 1602, you will not be dissapointed. Personnaly, I found it a little bit boring after playing 2-3 times and the game is bugged, shutting down my computer each 20 minutes (even with everything fully updated).

Matthijs H. gave it a9:
An 78 is an average way too low for this game. I've been playing this game for hours and I'm reviewing it for the Dutch gaming site Gamer.nl, and it's truly worth a 9. The gameplay is excellent, with a good economic balance, and it's extremely addictive. Besides that, it's graphically wonderful. Just zoom in on your settlement and you will see beatiful details. You truly feel the love the developers put into the game, and you can play it endlessly. It's a must-buy for everyone who likes city-building games.

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