I liked from the beginning, and it has only grown on me, since then.
So much stuff happening from the beginning, that I do not miss drop-off points. By changing the basic structure of the economy, ES created a game where decisions about settler placement is more important than building another lumber camp closer to the trees.
If I let my settlers range too far from home, I probably will lose them to an enemy patrol. Do I keep hunting or move to Mills? Keep mining or move to plantations? Build a Livestock pen or use the wood for something else?
Another change from the "traditional" Age games, is a player must build some form of army units as soon as they hit
Age 2, in order to fight off the rusher.
I think the fans that expected another AOM are more disappointed, compared with the fans that like change.
Regarding the graphics, I don't know what to say, but compared to EE, AOEIII graphics are great. Perhaps it is your system, but most people do not spend their time zoomed in.
"The devil and the priest can't exist if one goes away, its just like the battle of the sun and moon, night and day. The force of the devil is what we are told to fear. Watch out for religion when he gets too near."
"Living in a world of fantasy, I can hide behind what's real."
"Behind a smile, there's danger and a promise to be told, you'll never get old. Life's fantasy, to be locked away and still to think you're free! So live for today, tomorrow never comes. Die young."