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Anno 1602

1998 Max Design City-building / strategy Updated 26 Jul 2026

Anno 1602 is a 1998 city-building and strategy game developed by Max Design, released in North America as 1602 A.D. Set in the age of discovery, players colonize islands, build thriving settlements whose citizens advance through population tiers as their demands are met, establish sea trade routes, and engage in diplomacy or naval and land conflict with computer rivals.

Its blend of economic simulation, exploration, and gentle strategy created an accessible yet deep experience that became a huge commercial success, particularly in German-speaking Europe. The satisfying loop of settling new islands, each with different resources that force reliance on trade, and developing largely self-sustaining economies gave it broad, lasting appeal across casual and dedicated players alike.

Anno 1602 launched a long-running and acclaimed franchise that continues to this day, and it stands as the foundational entry that established one of the most respected city-building series in gaming.

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Modern alternatives to Anno 1602, with the devices they run on and their price. Ordered editorially by how well each one stands in for the original, with community votes weighted in as they accumulate.

Prices, platform availability and Steam Deck compatibility can change at any time. Always check the store page before buying.

Modern alternatives to Anno 1602 compared: price, Steam Deck rating and the devices each one runs on.
Alternative	Price	Steam Deck	Runs on
Anno 1800	€ 59,99 + in-app purchases	Steam Deck Playable	PC, PlayStation, Xbox
Ostriv Indie	€ 24,99	Steam Deck Playable	PC
Patron Indie	€ 19,99	Steam Deck Unsupported	PC
Anno 1602: History Edition	€ 14,99	Not on Steam	PC
Anno 1404: History Edition	€ 19,99	Not on Steam	PC