Anno 2205

Anno 2205 is a city-building and economic simulation game developed by Blue Byte and published by Ubisoft. Released on November 3, 2015, it is the sixth installment in the Anno series. The game is set in a futuristic world where players manage a corporation's expansion across Earth, the Moon, and the Arctic. Unlike its predecessors, Anno 2205 focuses on a more streamlined experience, omitting multiplayer features to allow players to concentrate on their cities. The game was made available on Microsoft Windows and distributed through platforms such as Ubisoft's Uplay and Steam.

In Anno 2205, players oversee the growth of their corporation by establishing cities in various biomes, including temperate zones, the Arctic, and the Moon. The game introduces a session-based system, enabling players to manage multiple regions simultaneously. Players must balance resources, satisfy citizens' needs, and develop advanced technologies to progress. The game's economy is driven by production chains and trade routes, while its narrative centers on combating global warming and achieving corporate dominance. The absence of combat mechanics, except in specific missions, marks a departure from earlier entries in the series.

To promote Anno 2205, Ubisoft showcased the game at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2015, highlighting its futuristic setting and expanded gameplay. The game was announced with a Season Pass, which included additional content such as the Tundra and Orbit expansions. Players who pre-ordered the game received exclusive in-game bonuses, including a unique command ship skin. Despite initial plans for a closed beta, Ubisoft canceled it and instead offered the aforementioned bonuses to pre-order customers.

Upon release, Anno 2205 received mixed reviews from critics and players. While the game's graphics and animations were praised, some reviewers criticized its simplified gameplay compared to previous titles. The lack of randomly generated maps and limited combat options were noted as drawbacks. Additionally, the game's emphasis on microtransactions and the absence of a multiplayer mode were points of contention among the community. Despite these criticisms, the game maintained a dedicated player base and continued to receive updates and expansions.

The game's expansions, including Tundra, Orbit, and Frontiers, introduced new regions and gameplay mechanics, such as space station management and additional production chains. However, the release of the Frontiers expansion outside the Season Pass led to some backlash from the community, as players felt it should have been included in the original content. Ubisoft responded by incorporating the Frontiers content into the Season Pass in subsequent updates.

In the years following its release, Anno 2205 has been considered a significant entry in the Anno series, despite its mixed reception. The game's ambitious scope, combining city-building with futuristic themes and space exploration, set it apart from other titles in the genre. While it may not have achieved the same level of acclaim as some of its predecessors, Anno 2205 contributed to the evolution of the series and remains a noteworthy example of futuristic city-building simulation.