Random level generation hurts the game severely.

Early in the game, you'll notice that your success can be a bit random, yet not to the point where it hurts the gameplay. Later on, however, this becomes a big problem. As they introduce new aspects of the game, the random factors (how the cities are spaced out, where the barbarians are, number of mines, etc.) begins to have a bigger effect on your success. Sometimes you'll sweep a level like it was nothing, then the next round cities will be far to spaced out for you to efficiently get a population going and 600+ barbarians will swarm your helpless capital city.

If the levels were actually designed, or the level generator was smarter, I would really recommend this game. If the game were 10 bucks instead of 20, I'd say "Oh well, it's still fun when it works," but it's not, and I really wish I could get my money back.