I'd say the engine added with a couple of enhancement mods makes this the most realistic battle simulator I've ever played - has it aged poorly? Yes - Does it feel good leveling a general, gaining amazing attributes and running ridiculously outnumbered battles that you shouldn't win compared the the shlock style of later total war games - A thousand times yes
If CA had returned to the roots of Rome & Medieval 2, and fixed the AI, delved into better action and historical accuracy they could make an even better game but alas
If CA had returned to the roots of Rome & Medieval 2, and fixed the AI, delved into better action and historical accuracy they could make an even better game but alas