Disappointing, to say the least
But it's a case a of style over substance. The gameplay has really taken a backward step. A few things that really annoy me include:
Stupid units - some really poor AI means that each unit simply forgets that it's part of a greater whole. The whole character of the era was one of differing fighting styles - the British Redcoats in their organised (and ultimately futile) massed ranks, the skirmishers of the lesser (but more effective) nations etc. all you get with this game is a mishmash of units all melee'ing for all their worth. No volley fire, no grapeshot etc etc. Having played a few other games of this era, I was really looking forward to a better version of the type of combat you'd expect, but was sadly disappointed.
Microsoft seem to have also dumbed down the interface options. I really liked the fact that resource gathers had to return to a collection point - it looked realistic, and you also had to think about where you put your points - do I invest to get faster returns, or leave them to walk the distance?
AOE2 also had better formation control, unit control etc. The upgrades also felt like you earnt them, and were more interesting. I'd rather invest in something that sounds cooler than "veteran pikemen", even if the effect is the same. Perhaps unit experience would be useful?
Anyway, this will get some more gametime from me to see if I can get over these points, but probably not too much. Back to Rise of Nations then.....