I agree. It's definitely missing the human connection. And after a few turns it seems like the generals start dropping like flies.
And for the Roman faction I think they really missed out by not making the Senate* active in the campaign.
And I really want a "view city" option.
*(I have a vague memory of the Senate being annoying in RTW, but it's been too long since I played. I don' think they were ever more annoying than the Pope, though.)
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