Anno 1503 vs Anno 1602: Creation of a New World
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Anno 1503 lets players establish and expand bustling settlements in the New World, balancing production, trade, and diplomacy. With detailed city‑building mechanics and a vibrant historical setting, you’ll guide your colony from humble beginnings to a prosperous empire.
Anno 1602: Creation of a New World lets players colonize uncharted islands, manage resources, and develop thriving economies in the Age of Exploration. With deep simulation mechanics and strategic depth, the game offers both single‑player campaigns and multiplayer competition.
- Deep economic simulation
- Rich historical atmosphere
- Extensive building variety
- Engaging single‑player campaign
- Deep economic simulation
- Rich historical atmosphere
- Robust multiplayer modes
- High replayability
- Steep learning curve for newcomers
- Limited multiplayer options
- Graphics feel dated by modern standards
- Steep learning curve for newcomers
- Graphics are dated by modern standards
- Limited AI difficulty options
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Anno 1503
View all →Build colonies and trade across the seas in a historic RTS adventure
Alternatives to Anno 1602: Creation of a New World
View all →
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataAnno 1602 is the safer default for multiplayer enthusiasts, whereas Anno 1503 offers a dedicated single-player campaign and explicit pricing ($49.99). Both share dated graphics, steep learning curves, and historical strategy roots.
Key differences
- •Multiplayer: Anno 1602 supports both single-player and multiplayer modes (co-op and competitive), while Anno 1503 is strictly single-player with limited multiplayer options.
- •Pricing: Anno 1503 has an MSRP of $49.99, whereas Anno 1602's exact pricing is listed only as paid (one-time) without a specific dollar amount.
- •Campaign and Content: Anno 1503 specifically highlights an engaging single-player campaign and extensive building variety, while Anno 1602 features a detailed 17th-century technology tree, weather/seasonal changes, and historical ships from the 1600s.
- •Publishers: Anno 1503 was published by Electronic Arts and Sunflowers, while Anno 1602 was published solely by Sunflowers.
Gameplay & fun factor
Both offer deep economic simulation, colony building on multiple islands, and supply chain management by Max Design.
Platform availability
Anno 1602 lists PC in its tags, while platform availability for Anno 1503 is not specified.
Price & value
Anno 1503 has a concrete MSRP of $49.99 and a critic score of 80/100, whereas Anno 1602 lacks explicit pricing and review scores.
Multiplayer / co-op
Anno 1602 features robust multiplayer supporting co-op colony building and competitive economic warfare, unlike Anno 1503 which is single player.
Content & replayability
Both boast high replayability, rich historical atmospheres, and deep economic simulation, though Anno 1503 notes an engaging single-player campaign.
Difficulty & accessibility
Both share a steep learning curve for newcomers and hold a PEGI 3 age rating.
Graphics & performance
Both games share the exact same con regarding graphics: they feel dated by modern standards.
Choose Anno 1503 if…
Strategy enthusiasts looking for an engaging single-player campaign with a known critic score of 80/100.
Choose Anno 1602: Creation of a New World if…
Players who want multiplayer co-op and competitive colony building with historical 1600s ships.
Common questions
Can I play multiplayer with friends in either game?
Yes, Anno 1602 supports multiplayer for both cooperative and competitive play. Anno 1503 is strictly single-player with limited multiplayer options.
How much do these games cost?
Anno 1503 has an MSRP of $49.99. Anno 1602 is listed as paid (one-time), but a specific dollar amount is not specified.
Who developed both games?
Both games were developed by Max Design.