Hooded Horse and Lion Shield are excited to reveal the next major update for their Roman-themed city builder, Nova Roma. Deadly plagues, a new god to appease, and exciting new mechanics await as players expand their city away from the Empire’s corruption.

Nova Roma’s latest major update summons Apollo to the growing pantheon to aid the people as they contend with sickness and plagues. As the god of healing, he makes health-related requests in exchange for favor. Players can spend it to transform his temples into a shrine to his son, Asclepius, where citizens can seek divine healing in their hour of need.

Should Apollo refuse to extend his righteous hand with a cure, the new Clinic building can pick up the slack. While it only delays each citizen’s inevitable demise, it does also slow the spread of diseases. Players can distract the plebs from their worries, too, by hosting gladiatorial games at the Colosseum! Pit combatants against wild beasts, as well as each other, deciding their fate with a flick of the wrist.

All this comes along with a fancy new photo mode for snapping beauty shots and fly-throughs, and a map editor for custom terrain manipulation!

Nova Roma is available in early access for PC via Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store, and the Microsoft Store for $29.99 / £24.99 / €29.99 / ¥2,980. A 35% discount on Steam is active from now until October 22, 2026.