I'm 25, love hardcore strategy games like Europa Universalis and Galactic Civilizations and I think that Empire Total War is awesome as it is.
Seriously have some perspective. You really think the average buyer is burrowing deep into the stats to see whether this or that is historically accurate, balanced or whatever? They aren't. They're enjoying the game.
It's a shame that there are some people having crashes and what not, but I, and a lot of other people have had no problem at all with the game.