The problem with TWs (and a ton of other popular games) is that the developers must cater to a wide audience. The veterans who played the originals when sales were far lower will always fail "disappointed" as the games are much different to the originals, the newcomers will feel bemused at the little nods to the veterans (like picking the setting in the first place). CA can't please everybody so there will always be murmurings of discontent.

However, game-killing bugs are a problem they can fix for everybody which are justifiably criticised, its little things like "I don't like the era, its stupid" or "all the units are the same and the drawings are stupid" which are pointless, you'll either love the samurai civil war setting and the beautiful artwork or you won't.