The Anno series of strategy / simulation games is very popular in Europe, and the 2006 North American release of A.D. 1701 (why the name change?) enjoyed some popular success (read my GamerDad review here). However, for all but fans of the series the news released over a year ago that a DS version of the game was planned never registered. The game was released in Europe last August, and has finally arrived in North America with the subtitle “Dawn of Discovery” … but at least it keeps the Anno moniker.

I really loved the PC game, and this one is every bit as good. You start right in with a tutorial that loads on skills and information while having you play the game – you learn layer after layer of strategy without feeling either overwhelmed or spoon-fed. There are loads of things to build to grow your fledgling colony – markets, houses, fisheries, sugar plantations, roads, and more. You will also need to man ships for exploration and to transport good between the various ports of the islands you’ll inhabit and populate. But beware, there is combat possible if you run afoul of the natives, and don’t forget that there was plenty of competition in settling the colonies. But the majority of the game is about building, expanding and upgrading your settlements.

One thing that really surprised me was how well the control system worked. After all, this is essentially a real-time strategy game! The game works off of a radial selection menu that is flexible and very simple to operate. You choose what to build and then place the building or connect the road between two points. You use the stylus to select buildings and then a radial menu appears offering plenty of micromanagement options. There are zoom levels that allow you to back off for more strategic control or zoom in to more closely monitor what is happening. Very little seems to have been sacrificed bringing this game to the small screen – there are plenty of feedback options and the game does a great job managing use of both screens.

One thing that is new for the DS version is that you can compete against others over a local WiFi connection using multi-card competitive play. It would have been nice if it allowed for connectivity over the internet, since most people I know with this game are in Europe, but that doesn’t take away from the fun the game offers. This is a great strategy game mixed with economic simulation and world building – is like a refocused Civilization that is easier to share with younger kids. Because the game is more tightly focused on supply economics than the sprawling expanse of Civilization IV, it is easier for kids to get into playing it. Yet there is considerable depth – this isn’t a simple ‘city builder’. It falls somewhere in-between both of those types of game, while having a unique characteristic that makes it appealing.

The ESRB has rated this game ‘E for Everyone’ and only noted ‘Mild Violence’. This is directly related to the potential battles with natives and other military options. Similar to the PC version, you set these up but don’t have any direct control, nor is there anything violent or bloody that happens. In fact, it is only slightly more violent than the average Harvest Moon game or Animal Crossing, and certainly much less so than any of the Civilization series.

Score: 4.5 / 5 Stars.

Tags: Game Reviews