When I cracked open the package over a year ago, I have never looked back on the investment.
In simple terms Anno1701 is a city building title with some strategic elements rolled in. Each player is assigned an island on which you start building your little economic powerhouse. The strategy comes into play with the fact that your little island doesn't have all the resources you need to build a burgeoning civilisation. You have to start settling on other unclaimes islands, and then make use of trade routes to ship materials between your home island and the supply source. At times you may have to start destroying other cultures to obtain their island. Alternatively you get enter into a trade agreement with them, and ultimately become their ally.
The game mechanics are relatively simple, but then again this game is not intended as a sim. It is simply a fun games that was produced to entertain. It is not uncommon to sit for hours and play. This title is intended to be played by the casual gamer that doesn't want to micro manage their little world.
The graphics is pretty and cute, but the background soundtrack and sound effects can get repetative after a while.
The jist of the matter is that if you like city building titles in a similar vein to Cesaer IV, then this will be a game you will definitely enjoy.