I've never played an Anno game but wanted to, so I've been hoping they would come to GOG -- and now three of them! Yay!! ;-)

(More to come, do you think? 1404 and maybe 21-whatever ?!)

Okay, my question: Is there a preferred order to play these in? Or a recommended place to start?

I guess it doesn't really matter where you start, 1701 is the most modern one available so far and has pretty much anything you might want (campaign, tutorial, endless game, scenarios, gorgeous graphics and music).

I'm pretty sure that 1404 + Venice expansion is going to make it to GOG as well but 2070 is pretty unlikely due to its annoying online components.

Only played 1602, 1404 and 2070 so far, really looking forward to play 1701 now, although 1404 is said to be harder in general and more motivating in later stages of the game.

Thanks for your thoughts, ShadowOwl. Much appreciated. :-)

So, I like the worldview of 1602 -- Elizabeth R. and William S. and all that -- so maybe I'll start there.


Edited to add:
I didn't realise 2070 was an online game. That's a pity, because I'd like a chance to build futuristic cities, and I was intrigued by the graphics of 2070 I'd seen in screenshots. Oh well.

I've been considering jumping into the Anno games a while. Been keeping an eye on a disc containing 1404 gold + 2070 gold for about $20, but have been steering clear mainly because of the online thing with 2070 and though patches should've removed DRM on 1404, it's never stated if it still has a disc check I'd have to cope with.

But now I'm curious, what is the online component of 2070? As far as I could tell when it released, the online-component was DRM only, but no actual gameplay impact, but maybe this is completely wrong?

Also am I the only one who find it...interesting, that UbiSoft released a city builder which required a persistent online connection to play single player without too much uproar. Then EA released Sim City which seemed to have more actual online features and were cussed into oblivion for it?

Much as I don't like EA I just find it curious how UbiSoft have always pioneered bad DRM practices and EA's taken the blame once they jumped on board after Ubi. I always chalked it up to the fact that UbiSoft often make compelling fun games, and EA often doesn't, but maybe there's another reason?

There is an offline mode but it isn't the same as the online mode which just kills the entire game for me. Haven't played 2070 for ages since I quit playing rather shortly after buying it. Take a look at this thread: http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/626105-anno-2070/61266337

Steam version of 1404 does contain TAGES files but they are not in use anymore. If you want to be safe you can download the game files and delete them before game starts installing ( "TagesClient.dat" and "TagesClient.exe").
Source: https://steamcommunity.com/app/33250/discussions/0/624076027753288346/?insideModal=1 and personal experience.

Also, anyone interested should get the 1404 Gold (1404+Venice).

I really, really hope 1404 is going to make it to GOG. The boxed version used Tagès, which got removed by a later patch. The 1404 Venice expansion introduced it again for whatever reason with no later removal.

I thought it was the gold edition (including venice) which got the patch removing the DRM.

Also thanks a lot for that gamefaqs link. Quite illuminating. Didn't know there were daily quests, I guess that answers why it can't ever really show up on gog. Seems games with daily challenge/quest/stuff tend to be cut down when arriving here. Sadly.

Hopefully Galaxy might change that a bit for newer games

'Preferred' is a matter of personal preference. Personally, I prefer to play in CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER (starting with 1503).

Color me 'Quirky'. I played 1503 until 3AM last night. Today, I'll try out 1602. 1602 was released a year or more before 1503, so the graphics (and maybe gameplay) will be a little more crude.

Good gaming to you!
Proteus

Yes, that is correct, 1404 either without or with the expansion no longer has any DRM with the latest patch. Always get the expansion, then you can get the really nice unofficial patch that fixes a couple of annoying gameplay things and cleans up the translation.

1404 is the best, it's probably one of my top games of all time. The graphics are also a beautiful work of art. The music for the game is also amazing as well.
2070 is pretty good too, probably more complex as there is an additional faction to juggle around. It's pretty much as good as 1404, I just prefer 1404's setting.
You can't go wrong with getting both, unless the online aspect for 2070 really annoys you that much.

Makes sense. ;-)

(As t turns out, I haven't had a chance to really get into any of them yet. I'm hoping this weekend I can crack them open.)

Thanks for your response, mate. Good gaming to you as well!