I hate autoresolve especially as I've just upgraded my PC so I can finally see the game with decent graphics.

I prefer to use the general cam instead as it limits you field of view. In large battles you more or less have to use the AI captain to help you out and as they rarely do the right thing this makes battles a little more interesting. Or you might want to throw your computer out of the window when the AI decides to charge the enemy with your archers (thankfully this happens rarely). This makes seiges especially challenging.

If you wanted to be especially hardcore you could even turn the radar off.

I always think to myself that in "real life" orders would be mis-interpreted and individual captains would vary in ability, hence the AI's blunders. Plus it adds a new level to multi-tasking - remembering where everything is and ensuring that your general has a good view of events.