Nova Roma Cover Art

Nova Roma

Roman City-Builder / Management Sim

starstarstarstarstar_half(15 Ratings)

$29.99

Nova Roma is a high-fidelity, agent-based Roman city-builder from the creators of Kingdoms and Castles. Set in a world where players lead survivors to establish a 'New Rome' on untamed shores, the game emphasizes complex hydraulic physics, polytheistic religious management, and logistical density. Unlike traditional city-builders that use abstract zoning, Nova Roma simulates the individual routines, pathfinding, and resource consumption of every citizen. Success depends on mastering the flow of water via gravity-fed aqueducts, appeasing the capricious Roman pantheon through temples and festivals, and managing intricate supply chains where every resource must be physically transported by workers or ox-carts.

Nova Roma

Nova Roma Thumbnail
starstarstarstarstar_half(15 Ratings)$29.99Roman City-Builder / Management Sim

Nova Roma is a high-fidelity, agent-based Roman city-builder from the creators of Kingdoms and Castles. Set in a world where players lead survivors to establish a 'New Rome' on untamed shores, the game emphasizes complex hydraulic physics, polytheistic religious management, and logistical density. Unlike traditional city-builders that use abstract zoning, Nova Roma simulates the individual routines, pathfinding, and resource consumption of every citizen. Success depends on mastering the flow of water via gravity-fed aqueducts, appeasing the capricious Roman pantheon through temples and festivals, and managing intricate supply chains where every resource must be physically transported by workers or ox-carts.

business Dev: Lion Shieldprint Pub: Hooded Horseevent Rel: update Upd:
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Build a PC for Nova Roma

Get expert PC build recommendations at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K resolutions — with exact CPU, GPU, and RAM specs for smooth 60+ FPS gameplay.

✅ Free expert recommendations 📊 3 build tiers 💻 Laptop alternatives included

Themes

AntiquityUrban ResilienceEngineeringMythology
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Nova Roma Key Specifications

Key Specifications for Nova Roma
Specification Detail
Developer Lion Shield
Publisher Hooded Horse
Release Type Early Access
Steam Rating 97% Very Positive
Modes Story Campaign, Sandbox, Creative

info_outline Note: Nova Roma is heavily CPU-bound due to individual citizen pathfinding. Performance impacts occur as the population scales regardless of GPU power[cite: 534, 1821].

laptop_windows Laptop Performance Note: Ensure 'High Performance' power profiles are active to prevent CPU throttling during peak pathfinding calculations in high-population cities[cite: 535, 1831].

info_outline GPU TGP: Low impact; 60W+ is sufficient for the stylized visuals[cite: 1827].

info_outline Cooling Thermals: High CPU usage requires effective thermal management to avoid stuttering[cite: 535, 937].

info_outline CPU Power Limits: Standard PL1/PL2 limits on mid-range laptops may struggle past 5,000 citizens[cite: 937].

info_outline MUX Switch Optimus: Not critical given the CPU-bound nature of the simulation[cite: 1821, 1831].

build Optimization Note: DLSS and FSR are supported to maintain framerates in Fidelity Mode[cite: 946]. Citizen Simulation Distance and Citizen LODs have the highest impact on CPU and FPS respectively[cite: 938, 940].

computer

Nova Roma System Requirements

1080p

tune Minimum – Low-Medium, 30 FPS

memory
CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K | AMD Ryzen 3 2200G (Sufficient for early game; will struggle as population nears 10,000[cite: 1825, 1830].)
laptop_mac
Laptop CPU: Intel Core i5-10300H (Mobile quad-core is the baseline for smooth early-game play[cite: 1823].)
developer_board
GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1050 (2GB) | Radeon R9 285 (Handles the game's stylized 'Play-Doh' aesthetic at 1080p[cite: 1827].)
laptop_mac
Laptop GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1650 Mobile (Standard entry-level mobile GPU for consistent visuals[cite: 1826].)
storage
RAM: 4 GB (Minimum required to load standard map sizes[cite: 1826].)
save_alt
Storage: 2 GB (Basic installation[cite: 1829].)

tune Recommended – High, 60 FPS

memory
CPU: Intel Core i7-12700K | AMD Ryzen 7 2700X (Necessary to maintain stable simulation speeds in large cities[cite: 1825, 1826].)
laptop_mac
Laptop CPU: Intel Core i7-11800H (High clock speeds assist in pathfinding calculations[cite: 1831].)
developer_board
GPU: NVIDIA RTX 2070 (8GB) | Radeon RX 7600 (Enables High Shadow quality and Ultra Textures[cite: 1827, 1828].)
laptop_mac
Laptop GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3060 Mobile (Ensures fluidity in Performance Mode[cite: 1827].)
storage
RAM: 8 GB (Standard for managing large-scale agent data[cite: 1826].)
save_alt
Storage: 2 GB SSD (Recommended for fast loading[cite: 1829].)

laptop_mac

Nova Roma Laptop Recommendations

ASUS TUF Gaming F15 with RTX 2050 and Intel i5 more_vert

memory Intel Core i5-11400H

developer_board NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 55W

storage 8GB DDR4-3200MHz

US $749

Details close

Model: ASUS TUF Gaming F15 with RTX 2050 and Intel i5

memory CPU: Intel Core i5-11400H (Score: 499)

developer_board GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 (Score: 5130) @ 55W TGP

storage RAM: 8GB DDR4-3200MHz

save Storage: 512GB NVMe

desktop_windows Display: 1920 x 1080 (FHD)

Meets criteria for tier: 1080p - Minimum (Low-Medium, 30 FPS).

MSI Pulse GL66 with RTX 3070 and i7 12th Gen more_vert

memory Intel Core i7-12700H

developer_board NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 140W

storage 32GB DDR4-3200MHz

US $1349

Details close

Model: MSI Pulse GL66 with RTX 3070 and i7 12th Gen

memory CPU: Intel Core i7-12700H (Score: 900)

developer_board GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 (Score: 6600) @ 140W TGP

storage RAM: 32GB DDR4-3200MHz

save Storage: 1000GB NVMe

desktop_windows Display: 1920 x 1080 (FHD)

Meets criteria for tier: 1080p - Minimum (Low-Medium, 30 FPS).

Acer Nitro V with RTX 4060 and i9 13th Gen more_vert

memory Intel Core i9-13900H

developer_board NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 140W

storage 16GB DDR5-5200MHz

US $999

Details close

Model: Acer Nitro V with RTX 4060 and i9 13th Gen

memory CPU: Intel Core i9-13900H (Score: 1058)

developer_board GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 (Score: 6700) @ 140W TGP

storage RAM: 16GB DDR5-5200MHz

save Storage: 512GB NVMe

desktop_windows Display: 1920 x 1080 (FHD)

Meets criteria for tier: 1080p - Minimum (Low-Medium, 30 FPS).

Lenovo Legion Pro 5i (i9-14900HX, RTX 4060) more_vert

memory Intel Core i9-14900HX

developer_board NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 140W

storage 32GB DDR5-5600MHz

US $1749

Details close

Model: Lenovo Legion Pro 5i (i9-14900HX, RTX 4060)

memory CPU: Intel Core i9-14900HX (Score: 1200)

developer_board GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 (Score: 6700) @ 140W TGP

storage RAM: 32GB DDR5-5600MHz

save Storage: 2000GB NVMe

desktop_windows Display: 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA)

Meets criteria for tier: 1080p - Minimum (Low-Medium, 30 FPS).

Asus Rog Strix Scar 15 with RTX 3070 Ti and i9 12th Gen more_vert

memory Intel Core i9-12900H

developer_board NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti 150W

storage 16GB DDR5-4800MHz

US $1397

Details close

Model: Asus Rog Strix Scar 15 with RTX 3070 Ti and i9 12th Gen

memory CPU: Intel Core i9-12900H (Score: 1030)

developer_board GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti (Score: 7100) @ 150W TGP

storage RAM: 16GB DDR5-4800MHz

save Storage: 1000GB NVMe

desktop_windows Display: 2560 x 1440 (QHD)

Meets criteria for tier: 1080p - Minimum (Low-Medium, 30 FPS).

HP Victus 15 with RTX 3050 and i5 12th Gen more_vert

memory Intel Core i5-12450H

developer_board NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 75W

storage 16GB DDR4-3200MHz

US $645

Details close

Model: HP Victus 15 with RTX 3050 and i5 12th Gen

memory CPU: Intel Core i5-12450H (Score: 628)

developer_board GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 (Score: 7220) @ 75W TGP

storage RAM: 16GB DDR4-3200MHz

save Storage: 1000GB NVMe

desktop_windows Display: 1920 x 1080 (FHD)

Meets criteria for tier: 1080p - Minimum (Low-Medium, 30 FPS).

Acer Nitro 5 with RTX 3050 Ti and i5 12th Gen more_vert

memory Intel Core i5-12500H

developer_board NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti 80W

storage 16GB DDR4-3200MHz

US $710

Details close

Model: Acer Nitro 5 with RTX 3050 Ti and i5 12th Gen

memory CPU: Intel Core i5-12500H (Score: 633)

developer_board GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti (Score: 7220) @ 80W TGP

storage RAM: 16GB DDR4-3200MHz

save Storage: 512GB NVMe

desktop_windows Display: 1920 x 1080 (FHD)

Meets criteria for tier: 1080p - Minimum (Low-Medium, 30 FPS).

ASUS TUF A15 with RTX 3050 and Ryzen 7 more_vert

memory AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS

developer_board NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 75W

storage 32GB DDR5-4800MHz

US $799

Details close

Model: ASUS TUF A15 with RTX 3050 and Ryzen 7

memory CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS (Score: 1655)

developer_board GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 (Score: 7220) @ 75W TGP

storage RAM: 32GB DDR5-4800MHz

save Storage: 1000GB NVMe

desktop_windows Display: 1920 x 1080 (FHD)

Meets criteria for tier: 1080p - Minimum (Low-Medium, 30 FPS).

ASUS ROG Strix G15 with RTX 3060 and Ryzen 7 more_vert

memory AMD Ryzen 7 6800H

developer_board NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 140W

storage 16GB DDR5-4800MHz

US $1299

Details close

Model: ASUS ROG Strix G15 with RTX 3060 and Ryzen 7

memory CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 6800H (Score: 880)

developer_board GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 (Score: 7448) @ 140W TGP

storage RAM: 16GB DDR5-4800MHz

save Storage: 1000GB NVMe

desktop_windows Display: 1920 x 1080 (FHD)

Meets criteria for tier: 1080p - Minimum (Low-Medium, 30 FPS).

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 Ultra with RTX 3080 and Ryzen 9 more_vert

memory AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS

developer_board NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 100W

storage 16GB DDR4-3200MHz

US $1489

Details close

Model: ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 Ultra with RTX 3080 and Ryzen 9

memory CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS (Score: 820)

developer_board GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 (Score: 7904) @ 100W TGP

storage RAM: 16GB DDR4-3200MHz

save Storage: 1000GB NVMe

desktop_windows Display: 2560 x 1440 (QHD)

Meets criteria for tier: 1080p - Minimum (Low-Medium, 30 FPS).

  • Core Requirements

  • desktop_windowsOperating System: Windows 10 (64-bit) / macOS

    Required for modern thread scheduling and memory management[cite: 1820, 1824].

  • memoryDirectX: Version 11 (Minimum) / Version 12 (Recommended)

    DirectX 12 is recommended for improved CPU multi-threading performance[cite: 1828].

  • save_altStorage Note: 2 GB available space

    The game footprint is small, but fast storage assists in quick save/load cycles[cite: 1829].

settings_applications Optimization Notes:

Upscaling: DLSS and FSR are supported to maintain framerates in Fidelity Mode[cite: 946].

Key Settings: Citizen Simulation Distance and Citizen LODs have the highest impact on CPU and FPS respectively[cite: 938, 940].

map

Nova Roma: Map Size and Regions

Maps range from small to large, including archipelago layouts that test maritime logistics and bridge engineering[cite: 824].

extension

Nova Roma: Post-Launch Content / DLC

The 2026-2027 roadmap includes political intrigue systems, chariot racing, and a fully functional Senate voting mechanic[cite: 1158].

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Nova Roma Skills & Upgrades Overview

Progression is managed through the Senate and Technology trees, requiring 'Favor' from the gods to unlock advanced crops, industrial buildings, and housing tiers[cite: 986, 987].

collections

Nova Roma: Game Editions

Early Access Standard Edition is currently available with a 20% launch discount until April 9, 2026[cite: 829, 882].

sync_alt

Nova Roma: Cross-Platform / Crossplay

The game is single-player but supports cross-platform cloud saves via Steam, Epic, and the Microsoft Store[cite: 734, 1820].

more_horiz

Nova Roma Other Features & Info

  • label
    Multiplayer Modes

    Single-player focus; 'Creative Mode' acts as a sandbox for unlimited building and testing[cite: 1184, 1185].

  • label
    User Interface

    Features diegetic overlays for Happiness, Health, and Building Integrity, along with detailed Resource and Jobs tabs for macro-management[cite: 1188, 1190].

  • label
    Sound and Music

    Atmospheric score that changes based on city prosperity and seasonal transitions[cite: 1211].

  • label
    Graphics and Visuals

    A colorful, 'Play-Doh' inspired art style that emphasizes clarity and individual citizen movement[cite: 536, 1163].

  • label
    Accessibility Features

    Includes optimization toggles for simulation distance and LODs to accommodate varying hardware capabilities[cite: 938, 1831].

  • label
    Story and Setting

    Players lead a group of survivors from a decaying Rome to distant, untamed shores to build a 'New Rome' that reflects the virtues of the old empire without its corruption[cite: 1178, 1815].

  • label
    Top 5 Weapons (Subjective/Iconic)
    1. 1. Pilum (Infantry). 2. Gladius (Militia). 3. Ballista (Guard Towers). 4. Spatha (Cavalry). 5. Onager (Heavy Siege Defense)[cite: 1148, 1149].
  • label
    Top 3 Mounts/Companions
    1. 1. Ox-Carts (Logistics). 2. Transport Ships (Trade). 3. Cavalry Horses (Military)[cite: 1131, 1132].
help_outline

Nova Roma Frequently Asked Questions

  • help_outline Why are my citizens starving even though the granaries are full?
    Nova Roma simulates physical paths. Transporters may be stuck in a loop or the walk distance to the market is too long[cite: 532, 1085].
  • help_outline How do I prevent city-wide plagues?
    Place 'dirty' industry like tanneries and clay pits downstream from your primary water intake[cite: 807, 1843].
  • help_outline What is the most efficient housing layout?
    A 6x6 residential block with a central Market and Fountain maximizes coverage and land value[cite: 546, 804].
  • help_outline How do I gain Divine Favor?
    Complete 'Divine Tasks' assigned by the gods or host Festivals in Large Temples[cite: 980, 986].
  • help_outline Does gravity affect water flow?
    Yes, aqueducts require a consistent downward slope to function; the game includes an elevation overlay for planning[cite: 850, 1835].