Nova Roma (video game)

Nova Roma
DeveloperLion Shield
PublisherHooded Horse
PlatformWindows
Release
GenresCity-building, management
ModeSingle-player

Nova Roma is an upcoming city-building and management video game developed by Lion Shield and published by Hooded Horse.[3][4] The game is planned to launch in early access on 26 March 2026.[1][2]

Gameplay

Nova Roma is a city-building game in which players establish and expand a new settlement while managing production and logistics.[3][5] Coverage of the game has highlighted water management systems—such as dams and aqueducts—and the possibility of flooding when infrastructure fails or water flow is mishandled.[4][5][3] The game also includes interaction with Roman deities: players can build temples and complete objectives tied to divine favour, with disasters presented as a risk of displeasing the gods.[5][3]

Development and release

Nova Roma was revealed during the PC Gaming Show 2023 as a project from Lion Shield and publisher Hooded Horse.[6][4] PC Gamer described the project as following Lion Shield's earlier city builder Kingdoms and Castles and emphasised disasters as a gameplay focus.[7]

A free demo was released on Steam on 5 December 2025.[8][9] In October 2025, PCGamesN reported the game was scheduled for release in January 2026,[5] but by January 2026 the Steam store page and PC Gamer's 2026 release calendar listed 26 March 2026 as the planned early access date.[2][1]

PCGamesN also reported that the game would be available via PC Game Pass as part of an early access launch window,[9] and Microsoft Store/Xbox storefront listings describe the title as a "Game Preview" release for PC.[10]

Reception

Ahead of its early access release, coverage of the public demo generally emphasized Nova Roma's focus on disaster mitigation and infrastructure planning. PCGamesN highlighted the tension between expansion and the risk of provoking the gods, describing disasters tied to divine displeasure as a notable part of the demo experience.[9] CivFanatics similarly described the game as combining conventional city-building and resource management with environmental manipulation and mechanics related to pleasing the gods.[11]

References

  1. ^ a b c PC Gamer staff (1 November 2025). "New 2026 games: Our release date calendar". PC Gamer. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  2. ^ a b c "Nova Roma". Steam. Archived from the original on 28 January 2026. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  3. ^ a b c d Rodriguez, Jason (19 December 2025). "Nova Roma tasks you with building an eternal city that stands the test of time". Epic Games Store (News). Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  4. ^ a b c Gardner, Elliot (11 June 2023). "Nova Roma is a Roman city builder with colorful catastrophes". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on 11 December 2025. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  5. ^ a b c d Allsop, Ken (24 October 2025). "Roman Empire city builder Nova Roma will test your disaster management, from flooded aqueducts to the wrath of the gods". PCGamesN. Archived from the original on 23 October 2025. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  6. ^ PC Gamer staff (11 June 2023). "Every game at the PC Gaming Show 2023". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on 14 November 2025. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  7. ^ Bolding, Jonathan (17 June 2023). "Kingdoms and Castles gets a nice update as devs announce new Rome-based city builder". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on 11 December 2025. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  8. ^ "Nova Roma Demo". Steam. Archived from the original on 16 January 2026. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  9. ^ a b c Allsop, Ken (7 December 2025). "I'm bothering the gods in Roman Empire city builder Nova Roma's new demo, and it might not be the best idea". PCGamesN. Archived from the original on 5 January 2026. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  10. ^ "Nova Roma (Game Preview)". Xbox.com. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  11. ^ "Nova Roma – new historic city builder (with demo)". CivFanatics. 6 December 2025. Archived from the original on 15 December 2025. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
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