Step aside, emperors — Nova Roma is inviting players to found a new civilization, command the favor of the gods, and engineer miracles of the ancient world. The free demo is available now on Steam, offering a first look at this Roman-themed city-builder ahead of its Early Access launch next month.
Developed by Lion Shield (creators of Kingdoms and Castles) and published by Hooded Horse, Nova Roma blends classic city-building strategy with mythology, engineering marvels, and looming threats from beyond your borders. The game is also coming to GOG, Epic Games Store, the Microsoft Store, and PC Game Pass when Early Access begins.
Found a New Roman Civilization — From Humble Beginnings
Players begin with a small band of refugees escaping a crumbling empire. Your goal? Build a thriving new Rome on distant shores, balancing expansion, faith, and survival.
In the demo, you’ll:
- Learn the core building, production, and resource systems
- Build on procedurally generated islands
- Guide citizens to farm, harvest, produce goods, and expand industry
Every decision echoes through your settlement — and the gods are watching.
Appease the Gods, Unlock Technology, and Shape Your Future
Nova Roma’s divine system ties religious devotion directly into progression. By fulfilling requests from members of the Roman Pantheon, players earn special currency that unlocks early tech-tree upgrades.
These upgrades open pathways to:
- More efficient food production
- Valuable trade goods
- Critical engineering milestones — including Aqueducts
Divine favor, engineering brilliance, and resource planning all work together to keep your city prosperous.
Roman Engineering at Its Finest
Water is life — and Nova Roma makes it a puzzle of logistics and ingenuity.
Players can:
- Bring water down from higher elevations
- Build specialized towers
- Keep entire neighborhoods supplied
It’s a satisfying challenge that rewards thoughtful urban design.
Defend Your People — But Don’t Forget the Fields
Peace never lasts forever. Pirates and invaders eventually test your city’s defenses, pushing you to organize militias and protect what you’ve built.
But pulling citizens away from their farms carries consequences — neglect the harvest, and prosperity quickly fades. Nova Roma constantly asks players to balance safety with survival.
What’s Coming in Early Access
The Early Access version will expand far beyond the demo, adding:
- Later-game technologies
- Advanced production chains
- Deeper combat systems
- More complex city-building challenges
Everything is designed to offer strategy fans a rich foundation from day one, with more content planned during development.
Try Nova Roma Today
The Nova Roma demo is playable now, giving future governors a head start before Early Access launches on:
If you’re a fan of city-builders, Roman history, or strategic sandbox storytelling, this is a demo worth downloading — and a game to keep firmly on your watchlist.
