Armies were recruited, marshalled and deployed to defend fixed points, taking advantage of strongpoints and geographic features, against an attack. Much of the pleasure of victory came from the seeing the success of well conceived and executed plans. Holding Doomdark at the Citadel of Dawn and swiftly redeploying reinforcements to block a thrust through the Forest of Thrall was somehow a more satisfying tactical success than those offered in Revenge . It was also far easier. Waging war in the Icemark is much more challenging and this deterred many.
Revenge is also messier.
You have to wade through dozens of impromptu and unwanted skirmishes and get pretty far into the game before the picture clears enough for worthwhile planned strategies. The early game is a mad scramble to recruit allies, fend off attacks and avoid the strength sapping fog. This in itself would be an interesting challenge but for one glaring problem with the game mechanics. When the computer works out combat results it inflicts disproportionate casualties on the army of Luxor, even if it is grouped with tens of thousands of allies. Not very heroic.