Nova Roma Early Access release date announced for PC

With Anno 117 launching later this year city-builder fans with a love for ancient Rome already have a feast waiting for them — and the folks at Lion Shield and Hooded Horse are preparing a yummy dessert. Upcoming city-builder Nova Roma is targeting an Early Access release on PC on January 22, 2026. Who said Winter was a time of hardship, eh? We’ll be feasting.

In Nova Roma, players lead a band of refugees who are trying to escape the decadence of the decaying Roman Empire, hoping to get a second chance and an opportunity to revive old glory. Satisfy both the desires of your citizens and the gods and you’ll see New Rome thrive.

Fans of the developer’s previous game, Kingdoms & Castles, will be familiar with the basics of Nova Roma, but Lion Shield is bringing some fresh mechanics to the table that’ll come in handy for the true Roman experience. These include the ability to manipulate the flow of water, which is great for building aqueducts — just keep them well maintained, because the water physics will cause floods, if you can’t contain the stuff.

Also, that thing about keeping the gods happy? That’s meant in the literal sense, because they are real in Nova Roma and you know how it is with wrathful gods in ancient mythology. They’re not nice people.

Players need to consider defensive plans as well, since barbarians – and indeed the empire’s legions – may target New Rome.

Nova Roma will be out on PC on January 22, 2026. It’ll be available as a Game Preview via PC Game Pass as well.

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