Anno 1602: Creation of a New World

Anno 1602: Creation of a New World is a construction, management, and business simulation developed by Max Design. It was published in 1998 by Sunflowers Interactive in Europe. In 1999, GT Interactive released the game in the United States, changing the title to 1602 A.D.

With the previous creation of 1869, the Austrian company already had experience with historical sims. However, Anno 1602 was its first big success, with two million copies sold, which avoided the small studio's bankruptcy and started the popular Anno series.

This strategy game takes place in 1602 AD, and the player represents an expanding European nation. The objective is to discover, customize, and manage as many islands as possible.

While other installments would focus the gameplay on constructing weapons to combat other players, this was overlooked in 1602 A.D. This game focuses on improving the nation's technology and economy, not for warlike use, but for internal growth and the satisfaction of its citizens. The latter plays an essential role because people's happiness infers a beneficial feedback process for the player. In essence, a well-maintained colony makes the citizens happy, and their joy ensures they perform better.

On the other hand, the welfare and size of the population do not only have economic repercussions. As the player expands his colony, new options are added to improve and build more massive and imposing buildings. Likewise, as civilization progresses, it slowly takes on a more conquering orientation, with more options for attack. Despite this, the entry does not lose its economic-strategic nature, and the maintenance of these buildings requires constant flows of money.

Although it belongs to a game style that usually does not try to be a breakthrough in the graphics part, 1602 A.D. has its own characteristics that distinguish it. First, it uses more intense colors in contrast to the opacity these titles usually handle. As the town evolves, the green colors of the newly conquered islands gradually disappear and are replaced by warmer ones of the houses' roofs, indicating constant urbanization. Along with this, the stereotypes of white houses with orange, red, and brown roofs, combined with the intentionally used music, continually remind the user that he is in the modern age.

The reception of the critics was excellent. Anno 1602 was a surprising and highly addictive game. With complex systems that would later be used again by many titles of this millennium, 1602 A.D. was considered one of the most influential titles that followed. Max Designed created a sequel called Anno 1503. Still, after that (in 2004), the company ceased to exist. However, the Anno series is still alive, with Anno 1800 released in 2019.

With the classic characteristics of these strategy games, this title is an excellent alternative to take a breath of fresh air and test your business and construction skills with a very different approach.

If you like this game, remember to buy the full version on GOG (see the link at the top right).