i agree the main thing this game has is its campaign map, the battles are good...what needs improved the the dynamic of the strategy map. there are tons of games that focus on pure domination through war and war only.

glorious achievements was the most fun thing for me, trade, being advanced etc were as good as battles won

and remember, the conflict between richard and saladin was as much about diplomacy <or more> than of actual fighting

and i too miss being able to set your reinforcments deployment pattern