Building an empire in the 19th century
Anno 1800 puts you in charge of a settlement at the start of the Industrial Age. You place buildings, set up production chains, and keep your inhabitants supplied so they can advance to new needs. The game spans from smog-filled European cities to a South American continent where you claim the black gold fueling industry. Workforce management is a core part of running factories, and logistics matter as much as construction: trade routes, shipping goods, and planning efficient networks decide whether your economy holds together. You also send expeditions of specialists around the globe for fame and fortune, and you deal with AI rulers through diplomacy, trade, or warfare. A story-based campaign walks you through the era, while a highly customizable sandbox mode lets you shape your own rules and goals.
Playing together with friends
The classic Anno multiplayer experience is included, with online co-op and online PvP. You can share a session with friends and either work toward common goals or compete against each other. Individual AI opponents populate the world alongside human players, so there are always other rulers to trade with, negotiate against, or fight. Multi-session gameplay lets the map spread across several regions, and randomly generated maps keep each session different from the last. Shippable trade goods, items, and changing allegiances give you plenty of ways to interact beyond direct combat, whether you prefer a trade network or a fleet.
What to know before starting
Expect a long, systems-heavy game where economy and logistics take priority over quick action. You will spend time balancing production chains, workforce, and needs rather than reacting in real time, though war is available when diplomacy fails. The campaign introduces the mechanics gradually, and sandbox mode is the place to test bigger ideas once you know the basics. The store lists several editions that bundle season passes and DLC, so check which content is included in the version you have before you and your group start, since expansions add new mechanics and regions.