Mediocre would be generous.

The reviews for release saw back then already made not too rosy. However, the criticism concerned for the most part on the copy rather than the actual content. The debate about the copy is old and does not have to be not continued here. It is important that it not only is the copy that is a deterrent.
I have to admit at this point that I have not yet played out. But many playful elements are already noticed so negative that I can not resist a comment.

I've been playing the nineties on all systems all kinds of games. In the area of ​​strategy and build games that is apart from mobile versions the worst I have ever seen.
Synchronization and staging are similarly efficient as in the predecessor. On bad stories and stupid characters one has already accustomed in the series. A relatively low value replayability was also been a vice of some settlers.

But now is also the fact that the economic system has been simplified and the balance is unbelievable bad.
While you can run the game unattended used it to learn about the first four or five campaigns and yet safe wins then comes suddenly a campaign with victory point system. The player and the opponent can get the same success victory points. However, the enemy already at the beginning of a victory point a large army and a thriving city. The inclined player can of course still on the first try to win but the sudden increase is still set very strange. The standard control is terribly bad. Shortcuts there is little and there is too much put on the mouse.

Production chains are six settlers greatly simplified compared. The weather system no longer exists. No day and night cycles, no more seasons. Thus, the strategic review are ever greatly reduced. In addition that the system for the construction of buildings was deteriorating. For example, it then builds first a farm because a sheep. (On one of three expansion slots) where you get the hint that Fertile soil is required. This means that the sheep around the building can still eat must. How much space is needed is a terrible betrayed. Enclosures build as the predecessor does not go. Walls can not be built (at least until now not) either there are any or not.

To enumerate all the other components that were a mistake in the game design need it too long. But one thing should be mentioned: even its already incredibly simple warfare was minimized in this part even further with the wider use of existing mechanisms as found in its predecessor - which at best is oppressive.

Maybe I belong simply can not be the target audience and there are other aspects of the players continued to attract.
Perhaps we should perhaps simply the Creative Director make no more job. The developers have done a good job but. Technical problems are not me Noticed. And the soundtrack fits the way well to the backdrop. Now it would have good writers, game designers and less politics by Ubisoft needed and perhaps a good game would come out.