The fourth week of March saw a deluge of new titles hitting Steam, for better or worse. We saw the launch of 'Reunion', the latest in the 'Life is Strange' series, and 'Mega Man Star Force Perfect Collection', both landing with 'Very Positive' receptions. Meanwhile, the city bus simulator 'The Bus' has officially exited early access, whereas the Korean shooter 'Special Force Remastered' is currently languishing in 'Mixed' territory. Amidst this, one title stood out: 'Nova Roma', which launched its early access campaign on the 27th.

As the title suggests, Nova Roma is a city-builder focused on reconstructing Rome. Following the decline of the once-great Roman Empire due to systemic corruption, you lead a group of survivors on a quest to establish a 'Nova'—a new—Rome. Your goal is to build a thriving metropolis from the ground up on a desolate island and restore the glory of the empire.

You start your journey on a remote island with nothing but a ragtag group of slaves, prisoners, and disgruntled citizens. Your first task is to build a logging camp and turn timber into housing. If the gameplay feels familiar, that is because it carries the DNA of 'Anno 117: Pax Romana'. You will find yourself carefully managing road networks to ensure buildings function, juggling resources to keep citizens happy, and constantly fretting over the ever-present threat of fire.

Your citizens are not mere statistics; they have evolving needs regarding health, life satisfaction, and longevity. Initially, providing basic sustenance like bread, fruit, fish, and meat will keep them content, but as your city grows, so do their demands. Before long, they will be clamouring for pottery, luxury goods, and religious fulfilment, requiring you to expand temples and build forums for public discourse.

Every time you satisfy these needs, your population grows, allowing you to assign more workers to essential roles such as architects, farmers, priests, tax collectors, and fishermen. Managing happiness is vital, as you need a steady stream of labour to keep the production chain moving.

Water management is equally critical. With the island surrounded by seas, rivers, and lakes, you must design irrigation canals to feed your vineyards, wheat fields, and clay pits. If a river is not nearby, you will need to construct massive reservoirs and dams to transport water across the city—and there are far more pressing reasons to do so than just crop irrigation.

Perhaps the most intriguing mechanic in Nova Roma is the role of the gods. Temples are not just for show; they actually house deities like Jupiter, Vulcan, Ceres, and Neptune. Each god issues tasks that, if completed, grant you significant bonuses and upgrade points—for instance, Neptune can provide a substantial buff to your fishing industry.

However, failure has consequences. Should you neglect these divine missions, you will face the wrath of the gods in the form of cataclysms. Fail Neptune, and you risk devastating floods, which is why your irrigation planning needs to be spot-on. Anger Vulcan, and you will find your city engulfed in flames, potentially reducing your hard work to ash.

Nova Roma layers on further depth with seasonal changes and natural disasters. You must prepare for harsh winters where citizens can perish if not properly cared for. Additionally, a trade system exists for dealing with unseen nations across the sea.

You will also need to raise a military to fend off barbarian raids. Your militia will usually be busy with civilian work, but they can be conscripted when the drums of war sound. More dangerously, your former Roman homeland may send regular armies to tax or plunder your settlement, so stay vigilant.

Nova Roma is currently sitting at a 'Very Positive' (97% positive) rating on Steam. Players have been sharing their experiences: "Make sure to build your residential district below the reservoir unless you want to suffer like I did," "It feels like a more casual Anno series," and "I cranked up the difficulty and faced the wrath of three gods in my first year; they are so demanding!" While it is still in early access, many agree it is worth the wait.