This is truly EPIC. . .
I didn't get a good start with Total War as with Rome Total War i was suprised at how in depth it was and i was quite new to this genre and was playing games like Age Of Empires which involve little strategy.
The game has an epic touch to it it looks dramatic especially with the edition of the earliset gun powder weapons like Culverins,Musketmen and loads more.
The damage models are cool whole castle walls collapse and gates pierced by Rams the unit selection is awesome lots of diverse units each nation is different for example the English have excellent troops and archers but field not much cavalry the Mongols have superb cavarly but little on foot soldiers.
My personal favourites
Foot Soldiers-Gothic Knights because they look cool with their huge double handed sword and awesome armor.
Archers-Sherwood Archers they may be low in numbers but they are deadly especially with the fire arrows ability enabled (thats if they hit).
Cavarly-Lancers It was a close one between the Gendarmes,Feudal Knights,Chivralric Knights,Noble Knights and Knights Hospitaller.
If your looking for an epic fun strategy game that involves real strategy look no further the Total War series dominates the genre almost completly.