Game could truly be the best in the series, yet takes a heavy hit on the technical aspect which leaves you loving or not
This is the strategy game is truly addictive and fun to play with so much to do and achieve, yet suffers due to crashes, glitches, and just horrible support. Now what I experience could be very different from what you might with problems. I find that SEGA has yet to truly make the game playable for me. I hear others play it fine but weather its vista or this game, you may find yourself frustrated and disappointed.
Gameplay: The gameplay is just fantastic on so many levels. The game gives you different approaches to playing (being pure domination or economic) which makes the game slightly more accessible to more people. The battles and navel battles are just so impressive that you can't wait to wage war on other factions. Everything is realistic to the the last detail. You will find your self obsessed with the research page (which is where you upgrade your units, economy, and even way of life for your people in the game) When the game runs well I find myself having a hard time stopping to do the necessary things in my day. Its just that addictive.
Visuals and Audio: Creative Assembly didn't skimp on the visuals or sound effects. The game looks just stunning making it the one of the best look strategy games to date. Everything has fine detail which is fantastic for those graphic nuts like me. But with high graphics means high system requirements. The sound is crisp and accurate. Now this is not truly important but the factions will speak in their actual language making it immerse.
Final Thoughts: I would give this game a perfect if it didn't have its technical difficulties. But the problems this game faces makes it unplayable at times. I have had to restart my campaigns because of a glitch associated with that campaign. This game will leave you at times really pissed of because of stupid glitches and crashes, but you keep coming back because its so fun. If you are willing to take a risk of overshadowing disappointment then you will find a love-hate relationship with this game. I suggest waiting a couple years until its truly stable and then have a ball.