In the game above I destroyed the hordes that had repressed my people for too long, but by the time I was able to settle the plains in my geo-local, all that was left was a single opponent.
It turns into a linear experience after that point. Sure I could try and do some questing, but I have one 1400 lb. monster (guilden) always knocking on my door. If the AI would chill out and kill some monsters for awhile longer before starting their wars, the wars would last longer and maybe some would call it time for a peace treaty.
I dont get many visual clues to all of those events though. I get some, but I dont feel engaged in the world around me all the time. Its like, "screw your problems, (click) I've got some bigger issues at my boarder". Then by the time you want to care, most everyone is dead.
I've only played a couple long games though. This was my longest. It was still fun. Maybe others have different experiences.
A couple ideas again.
Can we see the map? Maybe a research that gives you the basic boundaries of the land. Keep it in shadow, and don't show cities or monsters/people. That would reduce a lot of stress late game in the harder difficulties when you just finally get to get out of your cities and explore for real. It would make sense also. You've been around for 50 years or so. Some idea of the layout of the land would be welcome without having to use magic.
I'm not really a fan of the power number approach. Maybe you could use a color coded threat level. Green is good, and red is watch out. I feel like im always looking at that number to the top right to gauge my success, when in reality I'll never be as cool as the AI. It would also help with you exploring the UI to figure out why they went from green to yellow after a few turns and give you a chance to stave off the upcoming war. You could rank them in order of power, but the current number is meaningless at the harder levels. All the number does is show you how much advantage the AI has and is a little bit of a downer.
Just my 2¢
