Key information
Publisher Hooded Horse and developer Lion Shield released a significant update for the city-building simulation game Nova Roma on October 15. The title, which tasks players with establishing a new empire following the decline of Rome, is currently available in early access on PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG.com, and the Microsoft Store.
The update introduces a plague system where diseases spread through dense, unsanitary populations, posing a risk of resident mortality. Players can construct clinics to improve health and survival rates. Reflecting historical perspectives on illness, the god Apollo has been added to the game. Players can dedicate temples to his son, Asclepius, to reduce infection transmission and potentially cure the sick. However, failing to appease Apollo may result in divine punishment, causing the god to trigger further outbreaks.
Additional features include the ability to host gladiator tournaments at the Colosseum to alleviate resident stress. The update also adds a map editor for the creative mode, allowing for terrain modification and object placement, alongside a new photo mode.
Nova Roma launched into early access on March 27 and currently holds a "Very Positive" status on Steam. The developer, Lion Shield, anticipates an early access period of approximately one year. The game is currently available at a 35 percent discount for 1937 yen until October 23.
