Ok ok, I'm installing Elven Legacy and expansions now..
I have to concede that even tho I end up buying Total War games over and over thinking that it will be different - I just dont like them. I think I'm fairly proficient at RTS, generally I do pretty good, but when it comes to the Total War games (this time it's Shogun) I just have such a hard time getting into it. For one, the unit assortment is mind-boggling. Several different types of bowmen, swordsmen, cavalry, etc. This is going to take some study just to figure out what to use and how.
I am big on hotkeys where the hell am I going to fit several types of each unit?. I think the fact that the companies are so huge throws me off too, they move slow, react slow, respond to danger slow. I'm used to smaller, tight knit regiments that I can monitor and micro closely and get them the hell out of there when things go south. When things go south in Total War, it's over. Youre finished. There's no microing the damaged units out while pushing in new, there's no cranking 10 more out of the barracks and ordering them to the front line. And sieges are laughable, you should see me just trying to take a fortress in the tutorial!
patience is something I lack, and i think a great deal of it is what is required to play and enjoy the Total War games.
It's just a differnt style of tactical play, and I have no doubt far more authentic then the Dawn of War and high fantasy Kohan 2 style stuff I usually play an love. I'm just awful at it. I'm reading a beginner's guide and going to give it a try again, I just know there's a good Total War experience to be had. Just havent found it yet…