I think I might have lucked out! hehehehehe

The 'boss' here got her wish of a friggin 'sleigh bed', queen size, with new mattresses and some clothes so I commented on having to get the game and she said fine!! Then I explained to her that to get the game and play it I would need a new computer with more power. Figured if she can spend that much I can match it on computer!! Especially since I have reached about the end of the virtual rope with this one. now just have to wait and see.

The interface complaints from the review on the link above is pretty much the same gripes I have had for awhile. You have archers within sight of your cavalry but when the archers are attacked by enemy outside the cavalry's sight they sometimes just sit there and watch the archers get wiped out instead of coming to their assistance.

Now the new city concept(levels and bonus) sound interesting. To make it more realistic I have always thought any improvement(better armor/weapons etc.) should require those it affects to come to the armory/dock/military building and spend a small bit of time(2-3 secs) per unit to upgrade.

I noticed on some of those snapshots they had large cannons on points guarding against ships and wondered if those type of defenses would be allowed to players or just the AI. The floating wall and gates on a couple of scenarios on other AoE games had me wishing I could build them and actual roads in the towns.

Regards,
Lobo-hotei
lobo

Treat the earth well, It was not given to you by your parents, It was loaned to you by your children.
Native American Proverb