Unfortunately the actual quality of the game is completely redundant - this is another case of Ubisoft going out of its way to screw paying customers.

Issue 1: Denuvo
I don't think I need to say much more here. Denuvo objectively hinders game performance in return for not stopping piracy whatsoever.

Issue 2: Uplay
Or connect or whatever they call it these days. Again, the only actual function of this is to make pirated copies function and perform better than legitimate copies.
If you play this game without buying it, you get to avoid:
Logging in to your Ubisoft account repeatedly
Loading a launcher that doesn't always work, especially hindering on SteamDeck
Instantly losing your game progress because your Internet cut out
Uplay Offline mode still requires semi-regular log in and Internet connection for literally no reason whatsoever.

Issue 3: DLC DLC DLC
seriously guys I would spend more money on this if you would put some real time and effort into the extended content. Charge more money for it, go back to the days of 2070 where you released actual expansions.

All in all I was hyped for this game for years. Long time Anno fan, love the setting of this and the gameplay is (mostly) improved on previous installments.
But the above issues are way too much to ignore.
Remember, none of this stops piracy. All of it actively encourages piracy. I don't know how Ubisoft gets off complaining about pirates while simultaneously bunging their games up with pointless bloatware, extra log in steps and a soft always online requirement.

Please do not buy this for the sake of this industry.

Unfortunately the actual quality of the game is completely redundant - this is another case of Ubisoft going out of its way to screw paying customers. Issue 1: Denuvo I don't think I need to say much more here. Denuvo objectively hinders game performance in return for not stopping piracy whatsoever. Issue 2: Uplay Or connect or whatever they call it these days. Again, the only actual function of this is to make pirated copies function and perform better than legitimate copies. If you play this game without buying it, you get to avoid: Logging in to your Ubisoft account repeatedly Loading a launcher that doesn't always work, especially hindering on SteamDeck Instantly losing your game progress because your Internet cut out Uplay Offline mode still requires semi-regular log in and Internet connection for literally no reason whatsoever. Issue 3: DLC DLC DLC seriously guys I would spend more money on this if you would put some real time and effort into the extended content. Charge more money for it, go back to the days of 2070 where you released actual expansions. All in all I was hyped for this game for years. Long time Anno fan, love the setting of this and the gameplay is (mostly) improved on previous installments. But the above issues are way too much to ignore. Remember, none of this stops piracy. All of it actively encourages piracy. I don't know how Ubisoft gets off complaining about pirates while simultaneously bunging their games up with pointless bloatware, extra log in steps and a soft always online requirement. Please do not buy this for the sake of this industry.