I have always hated Empire TW too, and it sucks because I love the era it is set in. I even tried modding it just yesterday for this:
https://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?796057-Download-Link-Features-amp-Credits
...and I still couldn't get it to work properly.
:/
I'm fascinated by the Ages of Sail and Imperialism, and was really looking forward to a TW game that did a good job covering that/those era(s). I'm still waiting for it. :/
I've come to realize that I want an Empire 2 almost as much as I want Medieval 3. Given that both games appear to be the community's top two wishes for the next major historical title, I wonder if the former isn't already in the works. (Since if CA *is* planning to make both games, I'm guessing they'd do E2 before M3.) Fingers crossed!
You guys are wrong about ETW. The Darth Mod and, my favorite, The American Revolution Mod made it a great little game. The AI was still pretty-much pooh but it did get better and the Economy in the game was spot-on. Certainly not Shogun 2 worthy, but not the complete Pooch-Screw it's been made-out to be.
Problem is, the crap-tastic AI (on both the strategic *and* tactical levels) was probably the single biggest reason why I can't stand Empire (although it was by no means my only complaint). It was so damned dumb, it completely ruined my sense of immersion. (I had a similar problem with Rome 1.) And wishing no disrespect to the man, I've never been a fan of the Darthmods.
There's an intangible 'thing' or set of 'things' that just hit me wrong with Empire.
ToB is better. Fight me.
I endorse this statement in its entirety.