RTS games fan bases are a delicate subject, known for being pretty plaintive and sink a game reputation for little specific details that often does not really affects the gameplay or the capacity to overcome a level.
In truth the biggest controversy about Pharaoh A New Era was the absence of the mini-map (like the original game gives more fair situations to the player with that!), resolved quite after with a patch. But I'm afraid that was enough to bring it down, because you don't hear much about it. Just look at the YT visualization numbers, many are even 0. Maybe is just because is a niche argument, but why Command&Conquer Remastered bombed much more then? Also true that C&C is more famous in general. Wonder if, despite that, we'll ever see a new edition of Emperor and Zeus Master of Olympus.
Talking of CaesarIII (why no one ever talk about Caesar I, II and IV?) it can't be really well played without
Augustus, given all the objective quality of life improvement he gives. But there always
Julius for anyone want to play the full frustrating vanilla experience.