ETW has restored my faith in the Total War series - thank you CA

[Furunculus]

Just thought it was worth my giving a public thank you to CA.

I started with the STW demo, but never bought the game.

I then bought MTW, which i loved from the first moment, and have replayed a thousand times in the last 8 years, and a thousand times more trying all the myriad of quality total conversions.

However, it all went sour with RTW. the campaign map, which is the bit i really care about, and i judged it an epic fail, somehow it didn't have the charm or the polish of the old turn-based map, and it lacked any kind of feedback to let you understand what you could do, and to feel the consequence of actions taken.

I had high hopes for MTW2, because i was medieval but again i found the same problem, and i began to blame my utter dislike of the new 3D games on the semi-realtime campaign map style used in the new games. No empathy, no feedback, no fun.

So it was out loyalty more than anything that i bought ETW, a last chance before i had to admit to myself that it was time to leave the total war series. A lingering affection overcoming my dread of another title utilising the semi-realtime interface which i considered to be an epic fail.

But not so. I cannot say quite how the gameplay and interface has changed with regards the campaign map in ETW, all i can admit is that I am thoroughly engaged and delighted having just finished the RtI campaign.
Initially i didn't give two hoots about the RtI campaign, but i think it has proved invaluable in leading me into to the strategic depth available in the campaign map, so it has proved an excellent tutorial for which i am grateful.

So there we have it.
I have no explanation for why I love ETW when i hated the same semi-realtime dynamic from the previous two games, but a subtle combination of CA pixie-dust and the RtI tutorial has left me a happ y convert to the current way of doing things. My faith in the franchise is restored, and i look forward forward greatly to playing a grand campaign with Britain.

I would welcome any comment from you guys as to what has changed that could so profoundly alter my perception of the total-war games......................?

Thank you CA.