Proven to be a good. Mixed cultures and revolution in the ecomics makes this worth playing.
Anno 1503 offers new refreshing aspects to the old version of the game in many ways.
Gameplay is really the highest priority in this game. Everything is about building those great cities with get it's rich influence from the fields and labours. Also the armies in this part are way better then in the last part, altough it still isn't the battle-type game, you can use pretty much everything to effect the way your city will develop and progress.
The graphics don't really seem to be superior, but it does outraces it's predecessor. The build-up of the landscapes are really that kind of style what you see in many other games, a static system that makes the landscapes look pretty nice.
About the sound. The main sounds are pretty nice, everything has some unique sounds and the music really is worth the listening. A bit of old middle ages styled music.
Anno 1503 is, in my opinion, really a game that pleasures those that love econmics in games, the most!