I was going to get this, but this thread suggests I'd only be disappointed. I'll stick with Warband.
Do this.
I have to step up for this game. At least for the combat part of the game, you just have to realize that this isn't medieval anymore. Im playing without damage reduction and while in warband i could get around 20-30+ kills in single battle thus being a force to reckon with, here im completely satisfied if im over 5. You have to accept the fact you're no Conan anymore. + it seems to me that the combat AI is more challenging than before.
Its more of a strategy game this time focused on flanking cavalry charges musketeers on high ground and melee infantry hidden on reverse side of a hill waiting to slaughter the musketeers after sucking up the first volley. So surely it may not suit everyone, but i like the setting
That said, it desperately needs a mod for continuing battle after your get ko'ed and possess another character so you don't get bored till the battle is over.
You do know that these tactics are meaningless, because atleast half the enemy troops follow you as a magnet, not because they can see you, right?
I've also seen no news in the AI, merely the fact that guns are more lethal make it seem so. Infact, the AI is as good as the same, built for medieval combat because they fuck around as geese.
The graphics are rather bad compared to Warband, theres not female versions of Armor, I couldn't even choose female for my campaign, the characters are meaningless, more spelling mistakes, essentially this is a mod, and not the best I've played.
I don't dislike the game, and I think many of the complaints aren't deserved or accurate, but others, relating to severe bugs, are completely deserved. The game was released in a near unplayable state, as no units can be improved at all, grenades have their splash damage originate on the player, rather than where the grenade lands, killing you and anyone around you, a lot of mechanics revolving around recruitment are obtuse and obfuscated. In this state, it is essentially impossible to make any good progress as you will be stuck with bottom tier units unless you recruit from prisoners.
None of the bugs you mentioned were in my game.