Yes No. Oh I do not know.

First I want to say that have me excited otherwise all parts and addons of the Total War series and I'm also from the first part (Shogun) there, but the newest part was rather disappointing and reminiscent almost of the biggest flop of last year called "Warleaders - Clash of Nations"

I have dared to reviews and previews of various computer magazines, websites and of course my experience with the Total War games and then got in the first release days also slammed equal. Then followed an interminable installation via Steam. I let the topic Steam times away, because in my opinion not Steam should be assessed here, but the game. I do not like Steam and even I had a few principles jettison as then the black logo flickered next to my clock display and I activated the game.

How has the game now to switch from mainly combat coped with sword and shield on the long-range combat with the musket? Not very well ...

Now times the core point: The game looks at first glance fantastic! But only at first glance. At the Second one discovers the monotonous faces a clone army. Each soldier like his neighbor. Since the Medieval predecessor was innovative.
Moment, moment! Before I forget: Before you can admire the Klonarmeen you have to reckon with a long (almost any of cartridge drives reminiscent) loading times. Since you can when switching between the send strategy and tactics mode sit up no less than once a coffee, smoke a cigarette, or if you like a bit healthier: complete a few situps or squats. (Would I do it really, then I need not determine the gym) Charging times also remember to Warleaders, which was also just hyped up, but then came as bugged Beta corpse in the shelves.
In my opinion, the AI ​​is not necessarily the brightest. It's already happened to me that was the opponent in clearly outnumbered, but a city had as cover. making the computer? He sends his cavalry in a desperate attack against my Massive front of Linieninfantrie and the squad is wiped out within seconds. His infantry does not use the cover of the houses, but entrenched his troops in the foremost worldwide and can be summed shoot of my artillery. Great. I had not even lost 2 dozen men, while the computer is lost about 500 men.
Next point would probably be the naval battles. In order to dominate the battles you have to be either a genius or an octopus. After all the chaos, which arises when two or more vessels will be steered and sunk, then a second or third computer mouse would certainly not bad. Although the battles seen again very chic, (the most beautiful I've ever seen) but not get serve up the understated simplicity / genius of a veteran Pirates. Pirates, although already a bit dated but the battles were there quite simply the driving argument always continue playing. Empire requires, however, the directed several ships at once, set sail, cannon will be loaded. Mostly anyway you focus only on one or two ships and the rest is poorly commanded. In my opinion, you could have the resolve definitely better.
Another point of criticism are the campaigns that are somewhat scarce. There is only the liberation of America from the clutches of the British crown, a great 99 years and a small campaign 50 years long campaign. Just 99 laps I personally as a little too short. (If you take from artificial delays because of the long lines of computer opponents and the tiresome switching between strategy and battle map disregards) Maybe you could here be able to use 4 seasons, to extend the game, instead of the simple summer-winter Ping-Pongs.
The building menu is completely renewed and simultaneously it has also completely verschelchtert. because instead of wider choice what you want to build one is usually approximately 2 - limited + 5 buildings repairs. Is beautiful, the small towns may arise and this will then also be managed - not so nice are the very limited opportunities to build in those cities.
One avenue of research has been introduced and research not depends more on the size of a city from. Actually a nice improvement, but even here there are deductions for which you can not build schools everywhere. Mostly you have to conquer areas with existing schools, to get at new. So the largest country is also usually the most advanced. (Thus, Mongolia would hold a 4x higher technology standard as Germany.)
While at regular spacing patches are released, but it is embarrassing that a patch immediately appear shortly after release and the next day had a hotfix, the new bugs that are caused by the patch from the previous day to make up for it. Meanwhile, a second official patch is out and some players the game will now no longer. For me personally, the game was slow but steady. Had I but wanted something slow and stable, then I could have also to buy a turtle.
The media would have quiet time may a little critical review. I do not know how ratings come into existence more than 90%. Either this tester had an absolute high-end computer and were just too enthusiastic Total War fans, so that they could give no objective rating or it was once again the love of money involved. (How fitting). Because if a magazine wants to test a game in advance, you should already have good contacts with the manufacturer. if you get there too honest and are perhaps only 75% or 70%, then you get no pre-release versions. Yet media criticism heard here now actually not go. I wanted to vote for a game and that's what I did.

As always, I'm making a small positive / negative balance with the points that struck me most.

Positives:
+ Very nice graphics (Most naval battles so far)
+ Interesting scenario (At this epoch there is not usually so many games, except perhaps Europa Universalis)
+ Pretty animations of figures
+ Great sound (Who left with ner good conditioning + Subwoofer times the cannons thunder know what I mean!)
+ I call him the Total War factor (Can I also do not accurately describe)

Contentious issues
+ - Verschlimmbesserungen in research, diplomacy, trade, construction

Negative
- Steam / installation length
- CHARGING TIMES unbearable!
- Quick Campaigns
- A few historical battles
- Was once again of magazines / websites too hyped (. Ratings of over 90% I think is an unfinished game exaggerated The finished result should be assessed and not the good will)
- Graphics are not fully exploited (cities rather plump, Klonarmeen)
- Bug Patch Hotfixorgie currently announced.
- Somehow, the game seems not really finished.

Conclusion:
Each sequel has a weakest part. Star Wars Episode II, Indiana Jones II, Werner and just 3 Empire Total War. It was highly praised, but comes unfinished out (remembering Warleaders only was there complete set of support after about 3 months). Expectations were high, after all, Medieval 2 should be trumped, but unfortunately, these expectations have been disappointed. Too Bad. It could have been the game of the year, but I have a candidate if there is not real quick what changes to the cucumber of 2009.
Normally, I would condemn and verreißen principle unfinished products with 1 star. Empire is indeed unfinished but playable and patches are indeed replenished. I am still waiting for one who increases the performance. While it is all beautiful to look at, but below the gloss varnish stuck thick deficits.
It is Total War and which one may enter but not only 1 star)