Just got this game on steam sale. How do other returning players feel about this game?

I've played the original Aoe2 back 10+ years ago. Back when everyone was using the bootlegged one with a ton of bugs (relic win will freeze the game once it hits 100yrs). Back then, I can confidently say Aoe2 was the best RTS during that time. Eventually I went to college, life went on, etc, and I got into Starcraft 2 (currently playing at Platinum/Diamond league).

After a long hiatus, and wanting to reminisce a little, I finally bought the Aoe2 off of steam for the steam sale, and put in about 50 hrs so far. The old AI was stupid, it would send units after units to your base, then to your castle. The new hardest AI is extremely good. And I only get a win rate of around 25 to 50% (even if I plant a fast defensive castle). The rate at which it expands is insane. If you don't play aggressive, I don't think it's possible to win macro-wise against the hardest AI. This is a major improvement in terms of AI scripting.

However, my biggest complaint for this game is that my units are... just too stupid... Is there an IQ upgrade for these units? No, seriously, is there any way to increase the IQ of my units? While the AI micro controls each skirmisher and splits them too! I feel like my units all suffer from down syndrome or something...

Maybe I'm beating a dead horse, because I'm sure I can't be the only one who mentioned this. Or maybe it's because I've been spoiled by SC2's smooth game play. Right now... the "S" in RTS for aoe2 feels more like a micromanagement fest instead of strategy game. These units are just too stupid. The attack move for some reason locks on to random units instead of attacking whoever is in front of them. I know some units have a "sight" limit, but I've tried using different stances, (defensive for archers, etc) and overall, it's a frustating experience coming back. I mean... I used to crush the hardest AI, 7v1, no problem. Now, if I'm not playing aggro, I'll even lose to a hard AI. The days of out-macroing the AI is over.

My villagers also suffer from low IQ syndrome, for some reason they keep blocking each other, especially when mining or picking berries. Come on! Am I asking too much from my villagers? This is reminiscence of SC1 where units just feel much more clunky (control groups have a unit limit, poor AI routing, etc) and can't even perform the most minimal of tasks.

For those who played SC2, how do you think this game compares with Aoe2? How are other returning players coping with this? You guys got any tips for me? Is there something wrong with what I'm doing? like some special stance you have to click or are low IQ units natural? Is Aoe2 more micro-intensive than ever? Or should I stop playing against AI and play against humans so it actually evens the playing field? (still haven't finished all the campaign yet, and I want to finish it before I get into multiplayer)