The moment you launch Anno 117: Pax Romana, you face your first major choice — will you rule through the structured Campaign Mode or unleash your creativity in the Sandbox Mode?
This isn’t just a menu selection. It defines whether you’ll experience Ancient Rome as a story-driven narrative or as an open-ended empire-building simulation.
Many players hesitate here, wondering if they’ll “miss out” by choosing one mode over the other. The truth? Both are deeply rewarding — but they cater to very different playstyles.
Whether you’re a curious newcomer or a battle-hardened Anno veteran, this guide breaks down each mode’s strengths, gameplay experience, and ideal audience — helping you choose the best path to power in your Roman journey.
Campaign Mode: The Guided Roman Epic
A Story-Driven Introduction to Empire Building
Campaign Mode serves as the narrative heart of Anno 117: Pax Romana — and the perfect way to learn its complex systems. Set during Emperor Trajan’s reign, the campaign follows Marcus or Marcia, two siblings navigating the turbulent politics and ambitions of Rome.
Rather than overwhelming players with every mechanic at once, the campaign gradually introduces new systems through story-driven progression. You’ll start in the sun-drenched hills of Latium before expanding into the foggy Celtic frontier of Albion, learning to manage trade, culture, and population along the way.
What to Expect from the Campaign Experience
The campaign takes roughly 6–18 hours, depending on your playstyle and how much you invest in city development.
You’ll have freedom to expand your cities between key objectives, but story missions remain the backbone of your journey.
The true strength of Campaign Mode lies in its contextual storytelling: decisions like whether to Romanize Albion or preserve Celtic traditions carry narrative impact and influence character relationships.
That said, don’t expect a branching RPG — the campaign focuses more on teaching Anno’s mechanics through narrative structure than offering multiple endings.
Sandbox Mode: Unlimited Imperial Ambitions
Complete Freedom to Build Your Perfect Empire
If Campaign Mode is your guided tour of the Empire, Sandbox Mode (also called Endless Mode) is your blank canvas.
Here, there’s no story, no predetermined goals — just you, your citizens, and the freedom to forge your Roman destiny.
You’ll set every condition yourself:
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Choose your starting province (Latium’s fertile plains or Albion’s marshy wilds)
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Adjust difficulty, AI behavior, and resource abundance
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Decide whether to include rival governors or rule in peace
The result? A truly custom empire-building experience tailored to your vision.
The Heart of Anno 117’s Replayability
Sandbox Mode shines in its emergent storytelling. Without scripted cutscenes, your empire’s narrative unfolds naturally — through rivalries, economic triumphs, and moments of crisis.
The Hall of Fame tracks your achievements across playthroughs, rewarding experimentation and creative city designs.
Veteran players will feel right at home here. The lack of tutorials means you’re thrown straight into managing complex production chains, diplomacy, and logistics. It’s challenging — but deeply satisfying when your strategies pay off.
Direct Comparison: Choosing Your Path
🏛️ Campaign Mode Is Perfect If...
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You’re new to the Anno series and prefer learning through structured guidance
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You enjoy story-driven experiences with clear objectives
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You want context and character interaction alongside empire management
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You prefer a defined beginning, middle, and end to your playthrough
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You plan to play once and want a complete, guided adventure
⚔️ Sandbox Mode Is Ideal If...
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You’re an Anno veteran who thrives on open-ended strategy
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You love creative freedom and setting your own goals
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You want replayability, experimenting with new strategies each time
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You enjoy emergent stories driven by systems, not scripts
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You want to shape your empire as a trader, diplomat, or conqueror
What Both Modes Share
No matter your choice, the core Anno 117 experience remains identical in both modes:
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Deep economic systems and production chains
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Population management with class tiers and cultural needs
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Discovery Tree for research and technology
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Patron Gods system for religion-based bonuses
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Dual-Province management between Latium and Albion
The difference lies in guidance. The campaign holds your hand through these systems, while sandbox lets you build (or fail) entirely on your own terms.
Advanced Tips for Both Modes
Making the Most of Campaign Mode
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Don’t rush the story missions. Take time to optimize production and experiment with layouts.
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Use downtime between chapters to refine your economy — these lessons will pay off in sandbox mode.
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Focus on Albion’s cultural choice system, as it’s key to mastering advanced gameplay later.
Succeeding in Sandbox Mode
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Start with moderate difficulty until you’re comfortable.
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Master one specialization at a time — food, trade, or military — before aiming for a perfect balance.
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Experiment with province pairings and inter-provincial trade efficiency to maximize your economy.
The Verdict: Where Should You Begin?
For most players — especially newcomers — Campaign Mode is the ideal starting point. It’s the smoothest, most structured introduction to Anno 117’s complex systems, wrapped in a compelling Roman narrative.
Once you’ve completed the campaign, transitioning into Sandbox Mode feels like a natural evolution — you’ll already have the knowledge to build your empire without the emperor’s guiding hand.
For experienced city-builders, Sandbox Mode offers endless replayability, freedom, and self-directed mastery.
Ultimately, there’s no wrong choice — only the path that suits your ambition.
Whether you rise as a story-driven statesman or a self-made emperor, Rome awaits your command.
Your legacy begins now. Which path will you take, Governor?
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