is this co op

[Arthur]

as the title says id like to play with a friend is there anyway we can co op or even be on the same map?

[Paul]

You need the Venice Addon to have Multiplayer and Co-Op, but Ubisoft shut down MP Server in 2020. So unless you can play together via local network you will need "Anno 1404 History Edition" which is the latest 1404 built including the AddOn and 4K support, in that you can open a lobby your friend can join and you can pick both the same party and play coop or pick a party charakter each and play the casual Anno multiplayer.