Yeah, Stranger, I felt almost the exact same way as you do when I just started playing. I mean, it uses the same engine on the battle map and the campaign map as RTW did, and it uses the same civilizations and units as MTW did, so what did I just pay $50 for? Oh yeah, I paid for the opportunity to spend 6 hours raging at my computer trying to get it to install and run for 5 minutes without crashing. Needless to say, I was a less than happy camper.

But once I started playing, I just couldn't stop. Just like the other TW games. So I guess I am mostly disappointed with this game, since it doesn't seem to break any new ground (the battle map is fun, moving to the more "realistic" animation-based style was a step forward, if bugged to all hell) and is almost crippled by bugs (how did they release this game with so many glaring bugs?). But damnit, just like cocaine, it got in my blood and I'm jonesing.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to some good mods. I can forgive CA for making some mistakes because of how good they are about allowing the players to fix those mistakes themselves. Doesn't seem like a good business model (pay us $50 and fix our broken game!!), but it's OK by me.

Smiley cuddle total war adventure...