Age of Empires 2 and it's subsequent add-on were the greatest games I'd ever played... and, since I loved mythology, I was overjoyed when I heard that the sequel would be based on Greek, Norse and Egyptian Mythology. The game was constantly delayed, but I thought, with that much extra time over, say, Empire Earth, they must be doing a great job. Then I finally got the game, and... it was ok. Reasonably fun. Nothing special at all though... why? Age of Empires 2 was a great game.. one of the best... how did they go downhill? Well firstly, they tried to be too different... defensive players were effectively screwed over by the whole settlement-for-population thing, and the lack of a wonder victory in deathmatch. Then, units don't heal in buildings, heroes no longer regenerate, the list goes on and on... one of the worst things was the editer, the best triggers were taken out, which removed much needed longevity. Oh, and the multiplayer aspect was screwed beyond belief, with ESO... a rather sad joke, they'd have been better off sticking with microsoft's zone, and that's saying something.
In conclusion, I'd just like to beg ES not to make any of these mistakes when they release the real sequel to Age of Empires 2... which hopefully will be historical, because, to be honest, it's what ES is good at. Remember Age of Empires 2, which made trebuchets a household name, and just adapt it, and you're there.
And I'd ask no fanboys to even bother flaming me, I have every right to complain about a sub-standard product.