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Anno 1404 A.D.

Thagarr

Thagarr

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Finally! another Anno game! For those of you who are not familiar with the franchise, it started with Anno 1602, followed up by Anno 1503 and Anno 1701. In my opinion, the best of the franchise was 1503. Basically you colonize Islands and build cities while trying to build up a stable economy to support your military and diplomatic endeavors. This franchise is much more well known in Europe than in the US, the original developer was in Germany. Ubisoft has acquired the rights and will publish Anno 1404 world wide in March 2009. The three previous titles were mainly focused on fictitious islands in the Caribbean. 1404's setting is in the Orient.

While this is not technically a Pirate game, if it's anything like its predecessors, most of the military focus is on naval battles and defending your supply and trade routes from Pirates! Judging by the screen shots and the previews I have seen of 1404, this game will kick much butt! If your machine and internet connection can handle it, I strongly suggest watching the High Res trailer, it's worth it!

<img src="http://pcmedia.ign.com/pc/image/article/901/901416/anno-1404-20080820115907437_640w.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<img src="http://pcmedia.ign.com/pc/image/article/901/901416/anno-1404-20080820115920140_640w.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

Full IGN preview here :
<a href="http://pc.ign.com/articles/900/900866p1.html" target="_blank">http://pc.ign.com/articles/900/900866p1.html</a>

Official Ubisoft annoncment here :
<a href="http://www.ubi.com/US/News/Info.aspx?nId=5398" target="_blank">http://www.ubi.com/US/News/Info.aspx?nId=5398</a>

IGN full review of Anno 1503 A.D. :
<a href="http://pc.ign.com/articles/393/393032p1.html" target="_blank">http://pc.ign.com/articles/393/393032p1.html</a>
 
Cool, another Anno! I got hooked on Anno 1602 when it was first released here in the states and have logged more hours playing it than any other game in my library! I also have 1503, but I still preferred 1602. Albiet, the graphics are wonderful, especially the ship models and there were more products to supply and more troop types, but the gameplay was rather flat and it was just too hard to keep the Aristocrats happy. And it is one of my games that has been rendered useless because of the "debugger mystery"! Still though, a great game.

I guess I was really behind the power curve on this one- missed 1701 entirely! Oh well, now I have 2 games to be on the lookout for. Thanks for the tip, Thagarr.
 
1503 was better than 1602, i think, because anno 1602 is so damn easy in comparison. it's just no challenge. however, anno 1503 has a very annoying bug that screws up your automatic trade routes, which REALLY becomes a pain with big cities. every time two ships on automatic trade routes arrive at the same time, one of the trades gets cancelled until you fix it. you spend more time keeping those darned captains in line than developing your city.
 
Yeah Morgan, the trade route bug in 1503 is a real pain. The fact that you can't issue commands, or even look through the help files while the game is paused is annoying as well. They released patches for the German version of the game, and an expansion for the European versions that added extended content and some bug fixes. You can use the UK version of the expansion pack on the US version, but it requires some Windows registry editing. I have never been able to find a retail version of the expansion pack, so I have never been able try it. Still, the game play is some of the best I have ever seen in an RTS. I loved 1602, but at times it was really hard to figure out why your resource buildings weren't working properly, either for lack of a road connection or raw materials. 1701 had fantastic graphics, but in my opinion it lost some of the flavor and game play of the previous two titles. As we have all seen with the differences between Sea Dogs and POTC, eye candy is nice, but game play is the number one priority.
 
well, on terms of city-building, anno 1503 is brilliant. never heard of the expansion before though. the CD's seem to be cursed. i've got 2 1602 CD's and one 1503, and all three of them have a corrupted file.
 
You were able to run 1503 on your wreck, Morgan? <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_mrgreen1.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheeky" border="0" alt="icon_mrgreen1.gif" />
 
<img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5105VJWJF4L._SS500_.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

The 1503 expansion was called ANNO 1503 - Treasures, Monsters, and Pirates. The official expansion pack for 1503 A.D. offers exciting new challenges, additional detailed graphics, optimized game functions, and new adventures. There are three new continuous play games and twelve more single-player scenarios with varying degrees of difficulty. A new battle scenario designed especially for newcomers offers players a quick sense of achievement. Expand 1503 A.D. and set sail in search of treasures in a world of monsters and pirates. I also read somewhere that the expansion was supposed to have had multiplayer, but I couldn't find anything official on that anywhere. This game would be friggin awesome with Multiplayer!!




Link to old Sunflowers forum backup Goneflowers telling how to install the English version of the expansion on the US version of the game :
<a href="http://www.goneflowers.de/archive_1503/t-17416.html" target="_blank">http://www.goneflowers.de/archive_1503/t-17416.html</a>

There are copies of 1503 on sale on Ebay and Ebay.co.uk for around $10-$15 US. I was also able to find 6 copy's of the expansion pack on Amazon.co.uk, but they only deliver to Europe :
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Anno-1503-Treasure-Monsters-Pirates/dp/B0001BDMSK" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Anno-1503-Treasure...s/dp/B0001BDMSK</a>
 
looks nice. however, the corruption on my 1503 cd means that the game crashes once i can build a cathedral. maybe the movie file is busted.
 
What about a CD crack? <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/unsure.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":?" border="0" alt="unsure.gif" />
 
the video files are on the cd when running the game, i think, so it might work. but if they're not, it's no use.
 
I had some corruption on mine as well Morgan, it seemed to be mostly with the background music files for me though. Try copying the music and videos directory's from disk #2 to your hard drive, into the Anno 1503 install dir. Not only will the game run faster because it doesn't have to access the CD to load that stuff, it also seemed to correct my music file problems. You will still need CD #2 in the drive to play though, unless ya take Stallions suggestion. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/unsure.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":?" border="0" alt="unsure.gif" />
 
if you mean that you're not having battle music when fighting at sea, i have that as well. seems like another bug.
 
Here is another preview of Anno 1404 from the German site Areagames.de. So many good games are supposed to come out this year, but this is the one I am most looking forward to playing! I read somewhere that this game might have been delayed till 2010, but I can't seem to find the page again ...I hope I was hallucinating! This was translated using Google Translate.

<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->09.01.2009 16:09
The peace and quiet of the Year title is what many players that probably has the most fascinating. No other game has ever done, for me a similarly idyllic atmosphere for you. Now a new leisurely sailing ship of the developer Related Designs at the port of the PC player and seems to be nicer and bigger than its predecessors. With the new Ubisoft crests on the publisher wants to sail the latest title in the series, Anno 1404, in the late Middle Ages kidnap. It's a totally new culture to discover giant monuments to build and ... oh yes, much to trade.

Anno is in short supply


During our time ever progresses, the developers decide the new Anno, another big leap into the past to make. In the early 15th Century, the player is the first time in the Anno-culture history of a second encounter, similar to the extensive design as its own European, and even then they can play. The people of the Orientals in the game will gradually be discovered and growing interactions allow. What in the expansion "The Curse of the Dragon" for Anno 1701 with the Asian counterparts suggested, in Anno 1404 final approach to the game. The more her about oriental people learn and diplomatic relations with them improved, the more possibilities open up, too. So you can with them not only trade, but with time, their technologies and even her architectural knowledge to use for your buildings. The extraordinary specialty of the morning wiedermal country course as "dummies" for the flennenden "Aristocrats babies" in their own settlements. Whether or goat's milk, almonds and your settlers will be out for the exotic goods and love you with higher taxes done. One of their own desert city is nothing in the way.

But the New Year title is primarily intended to remain true to itself and more on improvements rather than revolutionary innovations set. So if you order the office, road, loggers, fishermen, homes liked, no nasty surprises. Even in Anno 1404, the player starts with a boat and some raw materials on board, look for a nice island and has begun to colonize it. Thanks to a new graphics engine, the whole thing is not only a lot better, but admits the elements on the high seas more power. For example, using the three-dimensional simulation of water and winds from massive natural catastrophes. The engine will also allow the game both on vulnerable computers running, but also that high-end systems of additional securities will benefit.

The Pillars of the Earth

But not only the forces of nature are being revised, but also the appearance of the settlements should be a little change. The edges should be strict dynamic forms soft. The houses of the settlements will be like in the cities of Europe Late grow together, forming canyons houses, simple and wrong be crooked. The motto is: way from block to the chaotic city Overgrown. More than 200 houses in the new models should Anno for a diverse, vibrant cityscape sure. This attention to detail, however small should also get a counter, located in the massive Great is going to raise. Monumental wuselig and the game should be. The game world in the new part is 40% larger than the predecessor. Among the larger islands are also compounded by huge buildings, such as the Kaiserdom, as a symbol of the new large cities can be built. (This size fits greed but also somehow very good at Ubisoft.) During the construction of the Kaiserdoms alone will be more animated workers to be seen, as the settlers of a whole city in Anno 1701. The developers want, but in any case of visually competing title "settlers" sell.

A major criticism of the community was the lack of motivation and long-term employment after a certain point in the game. This should be resolved by that from the beginning a campaign is available and no longer by the need addon later. The player is therefore at the beginning of campaign and endless game to decide. In addition, it will give quests, especially in the advanced play an important role should be. About the size of a city and reached the Kaiserdom built, it will by the emperor himself Orders (Challenges) received. This should guarantee that the game later in the course remains challenging and exciting. Also, the fights will be unlike its predecessors fail. The player will be more with the tactics of his military must make to the battlefields to be victorious.

The entry will be the new Anno unlikely by the distinguished predecessors: Pleasant Island to sail, build nice houses and relaxed trade with its neighbors are driving. The later the game, however, could truly innovative effects. Both quests as well as an enhanced warfare could substantially increase long-term motivation. If this fails, Ubisoft has indeed still a Achivement system, the current all-purpose solution in the sleeve. Whether that is the charm of Medieval Europe and the exotic Orient, and the changes listed are sufficient for players to re-sail to leave, will tell. We set sail ever since Anno 1404 sounds back to distant shores, exciting voyages of discovery and large, winding cities.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Original German site here :
<a href="http://www.areagames.de/artikel/detail/Anno-1404/98058" target="_blank">http://www.areagames.de/artikel/detail/Anno-1404/98058</a>

Original Google Translation here :
<a href="http://74.125.95.100/translate_c?hl=en&sl=de&tl=en&u=http://www.areagames.de/artikel/detail/Anno-1404/98058&usg=ALkJrhgdzlLPpaCDoK8iNsTxJ00yjFUUfQ" target="_blank">http://74.125.95.100/translate_c?hl=en&amp...iNsTxJ00yjFUUfQ</a>
 
If you have the anno1503 expantionpack, the trade routes are no longer bugged becouse they changed the system in the add on
 
Funny game though how they have realistic release then a cartoonish release. I wasnt a big fan of their last version, seemed to generic for me but Im a sucker these games and will try the demo at least.
 
The more I see of this game, the more impressed I am! I just ran across a 10 minute Video put out by Ubisoft.de giving a behind the scenes look at the software design studio. There are also several minutes of actual game footage that look absolutely stunning. Unfortunately it is all in German, but it's worth it to watch the whole thing just for the game footage!

You can find the video here :
<a href="http://www.spieletester.com/news/1/16153/anno-1404-ubisoft-tv-special-online/" target="_blank">http://www.spieletester.com/news/1/16153/a...special-online/</a>
 
This certainly is an improvement over the other versions. The game footage shots come halfway through the video, so stay with it because Thagarr is right, the shots are stunning. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/yes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":yes" border="0" alt="yes.gif" />
 
<img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hi.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":gday" border="0" alt="hi.gif" /> re. Anno..
Had a good look at the new game and it seems to me it's more of the same with addons! I have no problems with german and been reading about 1404 and am a little sceptic! Been playing 1701 for a while and it ended up in the bottom of the drawer and can't see any difference in 1404! Just another arcade game! Hope I'm wrong, but.......
Same with Buccaneer, played the demo on steam, same more arcade! Wish the russians would come out with their pirate games! Man, they're good! All the way back to 2002 and still playing the games warts an' all! Looks like I've to learn russian!! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/keith.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":keith" border="0" alt="keith.gif" />
 
I don't like arcade either. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/no.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":no" border="0" alt="no.gif" />
 
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