I cannot even begin to express how much I enjoy this game! Now that I understand the fine points, it really does feel like I am making decisions similar to those faced by the real commanders. Each and Every scenario I have played gives the feel of the specific time - Playing Pyrrhus going against the Romans feels completely different from leading Sullas almost invincible legions against the Pontics, and these leaders, with their varied traits, come to life in a way that no history can depict. The AI is often challenging and difficult to counter.
True, there have been some problems with some of the scenarios, but most of these have been fixed, and the game is even better than when it came out. The armies of BOR invoke the republic, the Parthian Horse Archers are a true threat in the open, and storms are a deadly menace to those fragile galley fleets, and that is just the tip of the iceberg.
I do not agree with every detail of every leader, but that is a minor point, one so miniscule against the grand scope of this series that I do not even bother to raise it anymore.
Not only this, but it has saved me from PON withdrawal, as I wait for the PON 1.04 patch to be fixed. This is a huge accomplishment, for me personally.
This is, without doubt, the best game on Ancient warfare ever produced. If you do not have it, you are really missing out. There is a learning curve, but it is so worth it!