Anno 117’s New Hippodrome DLC Is More Fun Than It Has Any Right to Be
Anno 117: Pax Romana’s Hippodrome DLC exceeds expectations for mid-season content. Historically, mid-cycle DLC expansions for Anno games tend to underperform compared to seasonal launches, yet this addition proves surprisingly substantial and engaging despite its focused scope.
The DLC introduces a single monument-class building—the Hippodrome—accessible through a new research branch. Rather than serving as mere decoration, it delivers meaningful gameplay contributions. The design draws on historical authenticity: in ancient Rome and Byzantium, hippodromes held profound political and social significance far beyond entertainment venues.
These structures hosted chariot races that brought nobles and commoners together in shared spaces, reflecting the empire’s complex social hierarchies. More crucially, hippodromes functioned as centers for imperial power, hosting ceremonial events, state proclamations, and executions that shaped political life. Anno 117 captures this multifaceted historical role, suggesting the DLC offers strategic depth rather than superficial additions.
This DLC challenges preconceptions about mid-season content quality in the Anno franchise. By delivering a monument with substantial mechanical integration and historical grounding, it demonstrates that well-designed buildings can drive engaging gameplay experiences regardless of release timing. Rather than representing typical mid-cycle filler, the Hippodrome offers meaningful value to players.