When I'd want to do a tactical TW like combat I'd use Shogun 2, or wait for an expansion of Shogun 2. At least Shogun 2 has decent, and needed sieges. Also it allows to use feints and some underhanded stuff, like ninjas. The first game looked like it was better designed and felt correct when all elements were put together. Theirs next game had only tactical combat. Even when theirs game would have a bit better tactical combat than TW games it will not save them in long term, especially after Shogun 2, which is one of TW where tactical combat has decent AI.
Well, I am not arguing that tactical mode of Shogun 2 is better than KA 1 or 2. Especially, since I haven't tried Shogun 2 up till now. What I was trying to convey, is that KA2 will hopefully (cannot testify till I play the main campaign) put a strong accent on story and some of the RPG elements (like developing your heroes, army, etc.), while at the same time sacrifying the complexity of strategic layer. Something Myth series did back in late 90's.
As funny as it can sound, I hope that KA2 will succeed in putting its RTS roots "on the rails" and provide good storyline at the same time. Tactical gameplay is fine for me as it is right now (though Shougun 2 might be better - as I said, I haven't really played it). As a matter of fact, I would simplify it even further, by having much smaller squads, but some interesting RPG scenarios in some of the battles (e.g., like retrieving the prisoner from enemy's camp, sneaking out of enemy's camp, making an ambush in some ravine, finally having some missions on the squad level (like 10 - 12 units) doing some dangerous mission. But it would have to rely all the time on the same character development system. And not that during mission 1 you have RTS system and within mission 3 you have RPG system, and in mission 5 you have your standard sneaky Thief-like or Splinter Cell-like game. It all needs to be coherent.
Of course, the cherry on the top would be, that at some points, you can also command the whole armies (or part of the armies - like maybe a right wing, or just one squadron of the whole army which is battling in a huge AI-contolled battle).
All right, all right, I am dreaming right now, but you get my point. I don't wan't another TW clones with standard RT battles + strategy overlay.
Sadly, KA2 went for more units in terms of tactical battle, which, as you pointed out, may not be the most clever idea as Shogun 2 nailed it really well already.
Bottom line is, that I am happy to see some RTW games with magic and RPG elements.
. Specifically, in the new addition - Scenario mode - on the battlefield, after selecting my own and enemy units, most of them are not appearing. I just see fucking banners and shadows of them. Some units are all right, the rest of them is fucked up.
