Dawn of Discovery

23.06.2009
Critic 72/100
Users 80/100
Dawn of Discovery (Known as "Anno 1404" in Europe) is a city-building and economic simulation game with real-time strategy elements. Released in 2009, it was developed by Related Designs, produced by Blue Byte, and published by Ubisoft. Though the game centers on a series of fictional events, the overall concept of the storyline is based upon real life aspects of medieval and renaissance history such as the Crusades, advancements in gothic architecture, construction of cathedrals, and hanseatic trade involving the rise of patrician merchants and early forms of capitalism.
The campaign begins when the player is sent to administer a fief granted to him by the Emperor, in the Occident. The Emperor is unwell and Lord Richard Northburgh, cousin and treasurer of the Emperor, is building a magnificent Cathedral to pray for the Emperor's health. Meanwhile, Cardinal Lucius is making preparations for a Crusade against the Saracens of the Orient, aided by Guy Forcas. In the first few chapters of the campaign, the player learns the basics of game-play and the economy by assisting Northburgh and Forcas with supply and construction tasks, as well as meeting some of the other main characters. As the Crusader ships leave the harbour, Northburgh begins to uncover clues to a mysterious plot. He and the player travel to the Orient and befriend the Grand Vizier of the Sultan, Al Zahir, who helps the player to defeat a band of Corsairs and break up a child trafficking scheme. The plot thickens as further clues reveal that a main character is implicated in a sinister conspiracy to overthrow the Emperor himself. Because he comes too close to the truth, Lord Northburgh is captured and the player is tasked with unravelling the mystery. Over the next several chapters, the player must win over new allies, convince the leaders of the Crusade that they are being manipulated under false pretenses, and survive dire circumstances in order to defeat the villains and restore the Emperor to his rightful place. The campaign is divided into eight chapters and each chapter can be played on 3 different difficulties: easy, medium, and hard. Apart from the story elements, the campaign serves as a tutorial to prepare the player for the more rigorous scenarios and continuous game modes. All of the main characters encountered in the campaign are also encountered in the scenarios mode and can be selected as computer opponents in continuous games, although the actions of the characters during the campaign are unrelated to their actions in these modes apart from having similar personalities. Lord Northburgh and Al Zahir act as mentors and trade partners in the other modes, much like they do in the campaign.

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Expansion packs

25.02.2010

Dawn of Discovery: Venice (known as Anno 1404: Venice in Europe) is the add-on to Dawn of Discovery. As the name suggests, the add-on sends you from the Orient to the political most important and economical biggest city of Europe. 15 new scenarios are available in that setting with more than 300 new missions waiting to be accomplished by the player. Although the core game remains the same with the player building up a flourishing trade empire from scratch, a few new elements have been added into the mix. Besides new items, additional achievements and medals, two new types of ships are available featuring very big cargo holds. In addition islands featuring a huge volcano stand ready to be colonized by everyone who doesn't fear the almost inevitable outbreak in exchange for vast amounts of resources. Gameplay-wise one of the biggest changes is the inclusion of the bailiwick, giving the player access to a vast array of statistics including which and how many buildings the player has on one island, what they cost, how many inhabitants there are and much more. The second addition is the council board which allows the player to influence the city council in his or enemy cities even allowing him to conquer an enemy without using any military strength. Of course this features is also available to the enemies so the player needs to make sure he holds at least three of five seats in his city council in order to prevent a hostile take-over. The add-on also adds an all-new multiplayer-mode for up to eight players to the game. The players can either play against each other, form teams or play Coop. Coop is special in that each of the four players on one team has full control over one city and its assets, requiring everyone to work as a team and communicate with each other. Coop can either be played against up to four human players or up to four AI-opponents. Because of the unique way the game is played in this mode, no AI is allowed on a human team.

Part of collection:
Anno (last 3 games)

13.11.2025

In the latest instalment of the award-winning Anno strategy franchise, it’s your destiny to shape the Roman Empire in the year 117 AD. As governor, will you encourage economic growth or expand your rule through dominance? Lead with rebellion or unite a diverse culture? The cost of peace is yours to decide.

16.03.2023

Welcome to the dawn of the Industrial Age. Experience one of the most exciting and fast-changing periods of all time in a rich city-building experience! Discover new technologies, regions, societies, implement your own strategy and build a new world to your design! Play solo or use the online mode to play PvP or co-op modes: How the world remembers your name is up to you.

08.12.2022

Sink into the historical charm of your cities’ old towns with a mix of more than 20 themed ornaments and skins. The Anno 1800 Old Town Pack adds a mix of more than 20 old-town-themed ornaments and skins that allow you to embrace your cities’ history like never before: Change the skin of your workers’ and artisans’ houses to match the charm of old towns. Beautify your old town with the new wall system, build towers, and create small castles. Remind your residents of earlier times with Anno 1404-inspired ornaments. Give a variety of public buildings the ultimate medieval feeling with new skins, including the church, fire station, school, and more.

Could be interesting

23.01.2009

Known as Dawn of Discovery in North America, Anno 1404 is the fourth game in popular city management series.

24.09.1998

It is the year 1602 and you find yourself in command of a sailing vessel, navigating the waters of the uncharted island world of Anker. You have aboard your ship no more than an handful of trusty followers and a limited supply of food and building materials. You are here to begin a new life. As you select which island to settle, your future is already sealed, for each one has its own special characteristics. Your goal is to create a whole new world. Explore, construct, settle, trade and defend - that is the challenge that lies before you! Anno 1602 takes you into the world of construction strategy games. Build a realistic, living world for yourself according to your own ideas; your chosen strategy will decide the development and destiny of your towns and villages. Prove your diplomatic skills in your dealings with natives, your comrades and pirates too. Start by building up farms, plantations and small workshops to produce, then use your business acumen and begin to generate trade with your fellow players. But beware, for with riches and prosperity also comes envy and anger! Train soldiers and build defensive structures to protect your property and wealth, or perhaps it may be wise to put your negotiation skills to use outside of business?

14.05.1994

The New World lies before you with all its peril, promise and infinite possibility. Your colonists anxiously follow you to shore. The treasures of an entire continent await you. Finally, the much-anticipated follow-up to Civilization is here! Sid Meier's Colonization takes you into the Colonial Era to discover, explore and colonize vast territories that promise both danger and reward. Play one of four colonial powers as you set sail to discover the New World. Explore new lands and strategically plant your first colony. Direct its growth, manage its resources and establish lucrative trade routes. Balance economics, political and military strategy to create your own powerful nation. But beware of your enemies! Angry natives and rival powers can encroach upon your territory. You'll have to overcome your foes with superior military strategy and wily diplomacy. Only then can you launch your revolution and declare your independence. Colonization, The newest strategy game from Sid Meier continues the great tradition of Civilization.

26.04.2024

Manor Lords is a strategy game that allows you to experience the life of a medieval lord. Grow your starting village into a bustling city, manage resources and production chains, and expand your lands through conquest. Inspired by the art and architecture of late 14th century Franconia, Manor Lords prioritizes historical accuracy wherever possible, using it to inform gameplay mechanics and visuals alike. Common medieval tropes are avoided in favor of historical accuracy, in order to make the world feel more authentic, colorful, and believable.

16.04.2019

Anno 1800: Lead the Industrial Revolution! Welcome to the dawn of the Industrial Age. The path you choose will define your world. Are you an innovator or an exploiter? A conqueror or a liberator? How the world remembers your name is up to you.

22.02.2008

The city builder strategy game Imperium Romanum is set in the time-honoured Roman Empire and players will marvel in the incredible attention to detail when working on a strategy to build a well organised, prosperous and commanding settlement. As governor of a Roman province, the fortune very much lies in the players own hands. Imperium Romanum is the sequel to Glory of the Roman Empire.

30.03.2001

Cossacks: European Wars is a real-time strategy computer game for Windows made by the Ukrainian developer GSC Game World. It was released on April 24, 2001. The game has an isometric view and is set in the 17th and 18th centuries of Europe. It features sixteen playable nations each with its own architectural styles, technologies and units. Players must avoid famine and engage in army expansion, building construction and simple resource gathering. Mission scenarios range from conflicts such as Thirty Years' War to the War of the Austrian Succession, and the game is renowned for the seemingly unlimited number of units players may control. This ability set it apart from other games of the time such as Age of Empires and Empire Earth. Cossacks is a game which allows the user to gain strategy skills and even pick up some relative history of that period by the inclusion of a comprehensive encyclopedia. This top selling title has won two awards and was positively favoured by a majority of reviewers.

18.02.2014

Welcome to the world of Banished! In this city-building strategy game, you control a group of exiled travelers who decide to restart their lives in a new land. They have only the clothes on their backs and a cart filled with supplies from their homeland. The objective of the game is to keep the population alive and grow it into a successful culture. Options for feeding the people include hunting and gathering, agriculture, trade, and fishing. However, sustainable practices must be considered to survive in the long term.

15.04.2005

Cossacks II: Napoleonic Wars is the fourth computer game in the Cossacks series of real-time strategy games, released in Spring 2005 to mixed reviews.[1] This game focuses exclusively on the Napoleonic era, meaning it has a much shorter time span than others in this series, which spanned several centuries. Therefore, fewer technologies can be researched than in other Cossacks games, and there aren't as many different unit types for each country as before. On the other hand, Cossacks II allows a large number of units to be trained and it has many tactical options and an updated graphical engine.

02.11.1999

Pharaoh is a 1999 strategy game developed by Impressions Games and published by Sierra Entertainment.