A good game that may tend to get a bit boring half way in the campaign.
The Eighteenth century was a time of change for the world - marked by the growth of humanism in Europe, the waning of the mighty Muslim Gunpowder Empires and the growth of a new Power in the Americas that would dominate global politics for the next few centuries.
Empire has in part been able to replicate this change, with the new system of having alternate systems of government that may only come about through collective action on the part of the common people. The new technology tree gives off a sense of the race for scientific knowledge in the era (and also how it was closely guarded). Religion too plays its part in near eastern politics, though a Shii-Sunni division would have been welcome given the Ottoman-Safavid rivalry in the region. Colonialism too is included in the game with the inclusion of the Indian and American theatres of conflict.
Battles though reflective of the warfare of the period do tend to become a bit boring over time. The research of new technology (e.g. quicklime shot) do try to reinvigorate battles but their effect is shortlived. I would have expected to see a more diverse set of armies on the field. The Ottomans for example may have been given the option to recruit horse archers other than the Tatars.
Empire has been noted for its realism especially when compared with the other games in the series. I would have liked to see a bit more realism in the units of the non-European factions. I mean why would the Marathas be recruiting Arab Bedouin cavalry in India? It would have been great if players mad been given a chance to play as the Mughals sans mod given the factions unique unit roster. Mysore(even though it is a minor faction) should also have been given a unique unit roster due its modern New Model Armies (perhaps something along the lines of the European Doctrine for the Ottomans),. The creators of empire should also have seen what a "Shutar-nal" ( and not Shaturnal) looks like.
All in all Empire is a good game even if it has a few issues that could be overlooked. The learning curve is fairly smooth given prior exposure to other Total War games and thought the game may tend to slow down in the later parts of the campaign, it does hold some surprises for the player.