Building a Roman city is easy to imagine. Keeping its citizens happy while satisfying an emperor is another matter entirely. Fortunately, Anno 117: Pax Romana is free to play on the Epic Games Store from November 5 to 9, 2026, giving PC players a chance to experience Ubisoft’s historical city-builder before spending any money.
This is an especially useful opportunity for anyone unsure whether the game’s combination of urban planning, political decisions and military strategy is right for them. Moreover, a 40% discount is available for a limited time, and players who purchase the game can retain their trial progress. However, there is one important distinction: this is a temporary free weekend, not a permanent giveaway.
Anno 117 is free to play until November 9 with a 40% discount
According to the official Anno 117 free weekend listing, access runs from November 5 through November 9, 2026. During this period, Windows PC users can try the game without buying it. Once the promotion ends, continuing to play requires purchasing a copy.
The difference matters because Epic also distributes games that users can claim and keep permanently. Anno 117 follows a different model. Instead of adding a lasting free license to your library, the promotion provides a limited opportunity to explore the experience and decide whether it deserves a place in your collection.
Here are the essential details to check before starting:
- Free trial dates: November 5–9, 2026.
- Platform: Windows PC through the Epic Games Store.
- What’s included: Temporary free access to Anno 117: Pax Romana.
- Discount: 40% off for a limited time, as announced on Epic’s official free games page.
- Saved progress: Trial progression carries over if you purchase the game.
- Minimum operating system: Windows 10 64-bit.
- Minimum processor: Intel Core i7-7700 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600.
- Minimum memory: 16 GB RAM in dual-channel configuration.
- Minimum graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 6 GB or AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT 6 GB.
- Storage and graphics API: 117 GB of available space, SSD recommended, and DirectX 11.
Developed by Ubisoft Mainz and published by Ubisoft, the game carries a PEGI 12 rating. Before installing it, however, make sure your computer has sufficient free space. The 117 GB storage requirement is a significant consideration for a promotion lasting only a few days.
Anno 117 lets you discover whether ruling Rome is worth the investment
Rather than simply constructing attractive buildings, players take responsibility for provinces during the height of the Roman Empire. Every settlement needs careful planning, but its inhabitants also have expectations. Meanwhile, imperial authorities demand results, creating a constant tension between local prosperity and political obedience.
Two very different regions help establish that challenge. Latium represents the Roman heartland, while Albion introduces Celtic territories with their own traditions. As governor, you must decide whether to respect local customs or impose Roman ways of life. Consequently, expansion involves more than finding suitable land for another city.
There is also considerable attention to everyday activity. Children run after dogs along busy streets, while enormous crowds gather to watch events in the arena. These details are not merely decorative attractions for players who enjoy watching their cities grow. They also help convey the scale and atmosphere of the settlements being managed.
Beyond construction, diplomacy and trade offer ways to strengthen your position. Alternatively, land battles and naval combat allow you to pursue a more aggressive approach. You can even challenge the emperor, although defiance carries consequences. The result is a strategy experience where political choices and territorial ambitions sit alongside urban development.
Anno 117 has demanding PC requirements worth checking before downloading
The most practical question surrounding this promotion may have nothing to do with Rome. Can your PC comfortably handle the game? With 16 GB of dual-channel RAM required and a relatively substantial graphics card listed as the minimum, players should compare their hardware against Epic’s specifications before committing to a large installation.
Storage deserves particular attention. A 117 GB requirement can make a spontaneous download less convenient, especially on a nearly full drive. Although an SSD is recommended rather than explicitly mandatory in the minimum specifications, checking available capacity beforehand can save time during the short promotional window.
For strategy enthusiasts, the trial also presents an opportunity to assess the game’s priorities firsthand. Some players may be drawn to elaborate city layouts and population management. Others might prefer political decisions, commerce or military expansion. Testing these different activities is a more reliable way to judge personal enjoyment than buying solely because a discount is available.
There is an interesting comparison with Stronghold 4’s upcoming Early Access release. Both appeal to players who enjoy constructing and managing historical settlements, although their settings and strategic priorities differ. Anno emphasizes Roman provincial government, while Stronghold places particular importance on medieval castles, their economies and military defense.
Epic Games also offers Flotsam and Idle Champions for free this week
Anyone looking for something they can claim and keep should pay attention to Epic’s other promotions. Flotsam and Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms are available as giveaways until November 12, 2026, providing a different option from the limited Anno trial.
Flotsam is particularly relevant for players interested in managing settlements. Instead of governing Roman provinces, its premise revolves around building and maintaining a floating community. Battle4Play has more details in its coverage of Flotsam’s free Epic Games Store promotion.
Therefore, players have two distinct opportunities this week. They can claim the available giveaways before their deadline and separately use the Anno trial to explore a more demanding historical strategy game. Keeping these promotions separate avoids the common misunderstanding that every free offer on Epic grants permanent ownership.
Ultimately, Anno 117 free trial access is most valuable as a buying decision tool. You can experiment with provincial planning, see how Roman politics influence your choices and assess performance on your own hardware. If the experience proves convincing, the temporary 40% discount and saved progression make continuing easier. Otherwise, you can simply enjoy the free access period without committing to a purchase.
Creator of the website, Pokemon trainer by nature. Trying to report on everything related to the world of video games, series and movies. Yu-Gi-Oh is my weakness, collecting cards since the dawn of time.
