Is the game good for singleplayer?

[Born to Coom]

Not really interested in multiplayer for this and wouldn't want to drop 50 bucks on a game where multiplayer is a big focus.

Is singleplayer engaging?
does it have enough content?
Is it hard and challenging? (I'm a strategy vet)

Also will I miss out on anything without the cosmetics? Or is there enough to decorate that the cosmetics are a bit superfluous

Thank you

[Gregomoto]

I’d say main focus of the game is indeed singleplayer. It has enough content (also you can add mods to increase content even more). It can be challenging at the beginning. I don’t have any of the cosmetics and i don’t feel like i miss something.

[Chaosium]

Careful though, this isn't a strategy game à la Starcraft or AOE2, it's management/city building. I wouldn't say multiplayer is a big focus for that kind of game, in fact you kinda want to be on your own so that the world is your oyster (and your own only)

[Born to Coom]

Originally posted by Chaosium:

Careful though, this isn't a strategy game à la Starcraft or AOE2, it's management/city building. I wouldn't say multiplayer is a big focus for that kind of game, in fact you kinda want to be on your own so that the world is your oyster (and your own only)

I've played 1404 I know.
I was wondering how much harder it is compared to that if at all.

[Wai]

My first few days in, and it was years ago that I played 1404. I would say they are very similar. My personal opinion, this is a good game for the price I paid, but, no way is it worth the full retail price.

I have not found the tutorial very helpful and the message bubbles can be annoying so I have started again with "less help". So far I think it is easier than 1404, but, I have not played long enough to be sure.

[Born to Coom]

Originally posted by Wai:

My first few days in, and it was years ago that I played 1404. I would say they are very similar. My personal opinion, this is a good game for the price I paid, but, no way is it worth the full retail price.

I have not found the tutorial very helpful and the message bubbles can be annoying so I have started again with "less help". So far I think it is easier than 1404, but, I have not played long enough to be sure.

I heard from my search on this topic that Anno 1800 is more complex as it has more systems.
But i'd like to know from a more veteran player their opinion

[Tankfriend]

Originally posted by Born to Coom:

I heard from my search on this topic that Anno 1800 is more complex as it has more systems.
But i'd like to know from a more veteran player their opinion

1800 is definitely much more complex, and has way more mechanics and gameplay systems than 1404. Especially if you have the gameplay-relevant DLCs enabled.
Let's take one very basic fact about 1800 that illustrates this very well: The maps.

In 1404, you play on a single map that is split into a "Europe" and an "Orient" climate zone.

In 1800 base game, you get the "Europe" and "South America" climate zones. However, these aren't on the same map - each climate zone has its own separate map at least the size as one 1404 map, and including separate buildings, products, population levels, and mechanics as you know it from the 1404 climate zones.
If you add all the DLC, you also get another "Europe" map, an "Africa" map, and an "Arctica" map for a grand total of 5 separate maps. You unlock these through game progression and eventually play on all of them at the same time. Their mechanics are also interwoven with each other to some degree.

Originally posted by Born to Coom:

Is singleplayer engaging?

Definitely. It works quite well in multiplayer both in a competitive as well as a cooperative fashion (it's even possible to share control over the same "player" with other people for a true cooperative game), but imho the game is still very much a great singleplayer game.

oes it have enough content?

The base game can already keep you occupied for 100+ hours if you like squeezing the last ounce of performance out of your empire. If you add the DLCs, I don't know how long you'd take to try out everything.

Is it hard and challenging? (I'm a strategy vet)

There's a lot of things you can change during game setup to make the game more or less challenging for you. If you want a relaxed game to focus on your own stuff only, remove all the AI opponents and the pirates, or only leave 1star AI in the game.
If you want a challenging game, take all the 3star AI and artificially handicap your economy. The choice is yours.

Also will I miss out on anything without the cosmetics?

Imho, you don't miss out on anything. There's already a lot of stuff to build, and the base game also has a host of decorative elements available.

[Spetsnaz]

Tbh, the main problem with mp in this game is that you can't speed up time. Me and my friend got pretty far but it becomes a real slog after the mid game to get everything in large enough amounts. The problem was not really getting the stuff but the upkeep to build everything that was killing us. The thing is expanding other places was not a option because it would mean more upkeep.

Best way is to play singleplayer and fastforward time if needed to get the right amount of stuff rather then keep adding more and waiting.

[florianvoss]

I played all Annos (I'm german) and this is by far the best. And it's much harder than 1404 (just played 1404 last year). Multiplayer - as with all Annos - is an extra ... that I don't use at all. Content is - with all DLC - absolutily stunning, like: holy moly.
Cosmetics are nice and I always need them bc I'm an Anno-artist ...

[ArcticISAF]

https://mod.io/g/anno-1800/m/change-gamespeed For multiplayer speed. Havent tried it myself yet but made by the same person who did combat overhaul so not just a random person.