I've just finished playing the new Age of Aquarius. Much has changed since I first played it many years ago. I really enjoyed the extra touches like the Lucifer's visions; and I wasn't expecting new voice-acted lines!
On the whole, the game is easier than I remember it; and much, much easier than War in Heaven. It's fairer, but the balance on Hard still doesn't feel quite right in some missions. Friendly AI varies greatly in effectiveness, but in some cases is so competent that the mission almost completes itself. In Universal Truth, the number of enemy bombers has been greatly increased, presumably in order to balance the more powerful Terran ships. They still get effortlessly swatted away, even with what feels like minimal player input. I don't think multiplying the bombers further would be the most engaging solution, as it would further dilute the player's perceived influence on events.
Interestingly, the story seems to have changed too. Previously, my interpretation of WiH's story had been that Steele was brought into the Sol conflict relatively late, after previous admirals had failed to conclude the war. He seemed to be an upstart who gained political influence only after his victories in Sol.
The new Journey's End dialogue makes it clear that Steele was already very high up in GTVA Command, and that he gives orders even to Admiral Bei. He has been in charge of the Sol invasion plan from the beginning, and it is implied that Morpheus was at least partly his idea. Somehow, this makes Steele seem less threatening; he is partially responsible for allowing the war to drag on for over eighteen months.
