If anyone has noticed me being absent its largely because of this game.
I'm not sure why the reviews are largely unfavorable (technically average - gamespot review has the average user giving it a 5.5) but I agree with your assessment that I think people seem to think they could just jump into the game or something without the the learning curve necessary (I also think this is not many peoples kind of game (not hardcore) and its gotten a lot more attention after the first one).
The added luck is there and unpreventable if the puzzles were going to made something more complex than Bejeweled. The extra tokens on the playing board and the extra axis make this innevetible - I mean, there's more ways to make a match so more luck is going to happen.
The difference is that this is part of the strategy - por I should say its more important. You can control how much luck happens and its less a factor as you gain skills - or I should say you can control it better. Once you start getting weapons that cause your opponent to miss a turn you end up using more strategy.
What I'm finding is that my instincts are getting better like they do as you get better in chess: your ability to spot potential matches improves, how to play them and then you look for it to line up.
The RPG side of the game has really taken off at this point in the game for me and really outshines the predecessor. Firaxis really went to work on the factions and much of your play revolves around appeasing them and/or surviving when this becomes impossible in many cases for the sake of the story. And its not so linear - or doesn't feel like your getting lead by the nose even when you are.
I mentioned controlled luck earlier and imporved RPG elements. Firaxis has followed the "slow reveal" technique of good RPG design. When rumours become available the Role Adventure really takes off. Luck control becomes even more important with rumours as you try to prevent chance from happening - my guess is many of the early players of the game haven't gotten this far.
And I'm not level 45 yet, just 27.
Most people here seem to be playing Drakensang right now, I'm playing this. Magerette, is there anyone scheduled to do this review yet?