[Bullock]

i like most of the games you mentioned in your first post ( i just don't know the others) and i can tell you that i m currently experiencing my best strategic game thrill. Never found a game so rich (troops, spells, items... possibilities) in his category. And it goes even richer if you take in consideration the work of the community about mods maps and so...

However i think the game reveal his true flavor in MP game with human brain and diplomacy (you can play direct connect or pbem). SP become quickly boring since the AI is doing always the same strategy, but not everybody will agree with this last statement.

Don't be stopped by the high price of the game it definitely worth it. (i bought it only few months ago and i don't regret it)