Gamespy doesn't let me download the demo, so I have some questions on the shieldwall if you don't mind.

I take it that the soldiers will stay put, line to line even if engaged, yes? Does this improve their defense from frontal attacks or something? How much is it similar to the RTW phalanx?

The thing is, I am sort of annoyed how hoplite phalanxes in RTW are portrayed. The macedonian pike phalanx seems to be mostly okay, but historicly it seems like hoplites simply would lock their shields over eachother and charge into the enemy, their spears allowing the first three lines to fight in what would would be a close melee slugfest. In RTW however, they fight like the macedonian pikes- lining up, put the spears ahead as far as possible and don't let the enemy even get close.

So if it's possible, maybe the hoplites should use the "shieldwal phalanx" instead of the "RTW phalanx", reserving that only for pikemen. Hoplites should then also get far bigger shield bonuses, emphasising the importance of flanking.