Hi
blwizard,
Shallow is not a word that defines any AGEOD games!
But bear in mind AGEOD games are essentially wargames, not strategic games like Paradox.
On AGEOD games, the military part is muuuuch more elaborated and complex (and muuuuch more fun!!), but you don't have full control of economy/diplomacy/internal politics... like in the typical Paradox games.
On both AACW and WIA, the game try to put you on the shoes of the overall commander of one of the sides. You ar not a "all powerful and immortal" monarch/president advisor like in EU or Hoi.
In this regards, on ACW you play lets say, Lincoln, and have pretty big powers to order units formation, new taxes, printing money, taking different political measures and trying to fund transport assets and production improvements on the different states.
But all this is to support the war effort. This are not an economy game.
On WIA, your powers outside the military are more limited.
You are on the shoes of the commanding general of lets say the British on the American revolution. As that, you can manage your troops, ask for help to the king in Europe, influencing the units and replacements you will get from there by spending Commitment Points, gaining support of the indians... and basically trying to win the war. B
ut you can't actually "build" regular regiments around or put factories on a town. Economy and unit creation is sometime the king and their advisors in Britain control, not you!
As the USA player, you have to try to control and coordinate the different colonies armies, but you have limited abilities to raise militias, as they are volunteer patriots, not conscripts.
For example, on winter a big part of the USA militia army dissolves and go back to their homes. The same happens with indians.
On spring, new militia units pop up around and raise to the banner again and you have to reorganize your efforts.
It's kind of "frustrating", but very historical and very fun. Its a handicap you have to play with, like Washington did back then!
So, basically, both games have lots of options and depth (ACW more, a there are more things under your control) but they have a wargame approach. Not an strategic/political/diplomatical/religious approach like EU.
Regards!
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