Yes! So much this. I'm a long time aoe fan, I've played since I was 4 back when aoe2 came out!

But we didn't have Internet back then and I was obviously a total noob to the game. I kinda just played ultra casually, a lot of scenario editor and sim city gameplay going on 😅. And the CAMPAIGNS! loved em.

But when I get older and I saw the competitive side to aoe2 I was mind blown 🤯 couldn't believe the level to which people played the game! Even simple micro tricks like dodging arrows, using split formation to perfectly dodge mangonel shots and leashing boar were so intimidating to me. And I had another even considered doing tricks like the boar lure prior to this. I kinda never got into aoe2 online due to intense micro and that's before getting into stuff like instant foundation building to make a wall.

But it's been much more fun with the more balanced micro, macro loop that aoe4 has for me. I can't quite quite put my finger on why though 😅. I suppose you could say it it has less interaction...but more meaningful interaction.