NDA was lifted about 2 weeks ago I think.

Yeah, both you and cura raise good points. It feels a bit like RTS for WoW fans, but it does get brilliant once you get access to the final techs. Getting there takes time, but the extra customisation as you level was a bonus for me.

Interesting but could you elaborate some more. First, do you mean the leveling is time-consuming, meaningless and boring but once you've done that the game becomes good?

And if so, how does it get good? (from an AoE 2 perspective)

I'm working on it. Already spent nearly one hour just to download and install it. I don't know why but the Windows Live client just freezes and slows down everything on my PC. It takes 15 minutes before it responds. And when it was about to install it crashed (just after the "do you accept these terms"-thingy). And why is it only a ~20Mb file? Is that another client?

Grrrrrr.

Yes that is exactly what I mean. It is a worthless time sink that shouldn't exist, and it takes much longer than it should to get through it. The single-player quests I played weren't all that interesting (It's basically just AoE 2 missions with some improvements here or there, nothing on the scale of SC2 variety) and time consuming.

If the goal is an AoE2-like gameplay then the game is basically the escape sequence of Shawshank Redemption. You crawl through shit for a ridiculously long time and it is absolutely terrible, but then it is glorious.

I am also unsure that there is off-line play either, for LANs and stuff.

Haven't you heard the news? GFWL is a piece of crap technology.

Haha, nice analogy.

But could you tell more about the end game. Is it PvP in real-time? How many players max in a battle? Teams? How long are the battles? Any persistent elements (do you pick your hero to the next gaming session, or troups as well?)?

Let me put it this way because it's the shortest and I REALLY need to learn this stuff before my final. If you liked AoE2, there is no reason not to liek the end game of this game.

I may edit this tomorrow or on saturday when I have some free time if you want grittier details, assuming Scoobes doesn't do a nice writeup first.

You are being way too harsh on the game.  If the game has any flaw, its just that its repetative.  But every RTS, from StarCraft to AOE is liek that.  Its about building a base and completing an objective.

Also, the game doesn't take longer than it should.  I've only played for probably 8-10 hours and I'm already level 30.  COuntless online games take way longer.  Heck, it took me longer to get a level 40 city in Age of Empires III.

Fans of Age of Empires will love the game.  Which is the point.  And I have a hard time believing you really played the game to level 40 when you complain so much about it being 'a worthless time sink that shouldn't exist'.

As for the question Slimebeast keeps asing, I will answer it.  here's PvP either 1v1 or 2v2.  Some quests even require playing human players.  And you can play human players anytime you want after a certain level (I think level 6).  Though most people wait till level 40 when they have their full skill list.

That's another thing.  This game allows you to unlock units how you want.  If you play more towards using siege and calvary, you can focus on that.  If you focus more on fast economy and long range units (like I do), it allows you to focus on that.  That's where the addicting aspect of the game is, being able to unlock new units and upgrades.

I'd also like to emphasize this game is in early Beta and the only playable race is the Greeks.  They're going to release the Egyptians soon and its implied that the Persians are in the game.

Just 2v2 PVP?  so no 8 player Death match games? Do they plan to have them? 

I was hoping it could be a game all my family and friends could play together.

I've played the first 3 levels and I've enjoyed it so far.