Colonization in the future is going to involve some pretty harsh environments, and that's a big focus in Anno 2205. Previously, we've seen that the city-building strategy series will let players found lunar colonies (where they'll have to worry about food, oxygen and meteor showers), but as the Gamescom trailer reveals, there's a step between Earth and the moon that's only a little less inhospitable. Before expanding into space, you'll need to colonize the arctic, where you'll mine (among other things) the super alloys and other rare resources needed for a successful space program. And the cold won't be the only danger you'll face.
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As your scrappy corporation expands to new territories, you'll face resistance from the Orbital Watch, a group of commandos out to halt your progress. In practical terms, this means you'll be confronted with Crisis Sectors - optional military battles that let you mobilize a fleet of ships around your Earth colonies. Players who want to take a strictly peaceful path can avoid these encounters, but sailing in and coming out the victor is a faster path to rare resources and experience points.
Sporting a new game engine and letting players simultaneously manage multiple interconnected colonies, Anno 2205 represents a huge expansion of the franchise's gameplay – and those who preorder will get access to an exclusive command ship and corporation emblem with it arrives on PC on November 3.
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