I always loved AOE2. The units, the strategy, the micro; even the music. I was fairly new to the series when AOE3 came out (compared to most), but I had been so addicted to it in that short time, that I, like you, DID believe AOE2 was the greatest game in the world. I had the opportunity to play AOM, but I never did, because I liked AOE2 so much...as such, I have never seen nor played AOM, so I have absolutely no bias from the game.
I had been following AOE3 from nonspecific screenshots to the demo. When I first saw the demo, I have to admit, I was crushingly dissappointed. Sure, I was captivated by the graphics at first, but I began actually PLAYING the game and found the UI too bulky, the mill system too easy, mines oversimplified...I didn't even USE the homecity. I eventually got the game, and noticed most of ES's sloppy neglects were left unfixed (for example, UI, which, even the minimized one hid all the USEFUL information). I thought everything in AOE3 was oversimplified, and it turned me back to AOE2 for some time.
One day, I decided to try the game out again, and it suddenly hit me...ALL of the problems I had with AOE3 were nostalgia from AOE2! I started seeing things from a logical point of view. Allow me to dispell some myths about AOE3...Remember, I once thought exactly like you...
NO economic micromanagement:
Yes, because the absense of the necessity to gather 8 sheep, 2 boars, and a herd of 3 or 4 deer mean that this game has no economic micro. Seriously, I swear, I cannot COUNT the games where I have spent MORE time reseeding my farms than I actually playing the game. How many times have you begun engaging in a huge battle and heard that damn maraca in the background...several times over? Of course, I was so USED to this that I thought the mill system was ridiculous, taking away a great bit of strategy. Is that REALLY strategy...or is it just busy-work? The same goes for one-block mines - did the separate tiles REALLY provide strategic advantages? Boars? Same routine every game. Sheep? Same routine every game. AOE3 requires JUST as much micro as AOE2 ever did, just less mindless busy-work. REAL micro should be out where it has strategic IMPORTANCE...the battlefield. Your eco needs micro, but NOW it doesn't have to distract you from more urgent matters.
It's Just Easier:
Okay, so the game is more straightforward. The focus has been rerouted, although not changed in nature. What will you do with your new found time? How about STRATEGY? Yeah, I remember being so GLUED to the standard routine that I lost ALL concept of strategy after a while. AOE3 allows freedom where freedom should be allowed. Also, the TC radius rule prevents the use of the "cheap" strats that spammed AOE2, like the tower rush. Didn't you just hate coming across an enemy archery range one tile out of your fog of war? Obviously, if ES didn't think the game was not DESIGNED for this type of gameplay, they wouldn't have added the radius limit.
Requires No Skill:
O contraire! These simplifications DO make the parts of the game seem rather effortless for you. It's not going to be an easy game if your OPPONENT has the same advantages in this way. It allows ALL players to focus on true strategy, rather than methods they picked up on how to arrange their farms.
Oversimplified gameplay:
So the fact that you can queue units AND techs make you angry? Was it REALLY necessary in AOE2 to stare attentively at the screen, waiting for ONE tech to finish to click on another? Think about it. Techs, I admit should be more useful in AOE3 than they are, BUT...think about that too. Was the victor of the game really SUPPOSED to be determined by the guy who chose to upgrade his armor rather than his weapons? The guy that DIDN'T forget to research double-bit axe in early castle? In AOE3, techs HELP, and they SHOULD HELP, not WIN. The straightforward techs in AOE3 DO make the game seem EASIER...but HOW? Because they're straightforward! There weren't as many major armament or armor upgrades during AOE3's timeline than during AOE2's timeline. What else would you CALL the unit other than "Veteran Musketeer"?
I think the true problem here is that you people need to determine the difference between what is BETTER, what is WORSE, and what is DIFFERENT. AOE2 was really a great game, and most people who enjoy it have been playing it for a long time. When AOE3 came along, which was DIFFERENT, it seemed WORSE to you. AOE3 is DIFFERENT. Accept it, and you will finally enjoy the true beauty of this game. There are many modders in this game's community, and I am one of them. You want to know one of the reasons why I still mod? (well, no you don't, but I'm going to tell you anyway) I wish to reward players for their wonderful taste and their ability to realize the points I have made. True wisdom should be rewarded.