The Shield Wall formation looks goofy as hell. I've read elsewhere the why of it, that the intent was to have only the first rank use swords but Rome 2 forced the front three ranks to use the same weapon. I understand that it's a compromise.

It still looks stupid to me. I don't understand why the phalanx route wasn't taken; just give everyone spears and have them swap to swords in 'proper' melee. It's probably less historically accurate than the first rank using swords, but it's got to be more accurate than the front three ranks using swords and attacking with telekinesis. People are thrusting at the air and having somebody four metres from the tip of their sword die. It's insane and throws my immersion out the window every time I see it, or even see the formation outside combat.

Is this just a me problem, or does anyone else feel like this?