First, I want to clearly say that I'm enjoying Elemental and am VERY happy that release day has finally come.  BUT (always an annoying but after a compliment), there are a few things that I found to be quite non traditional and therefore feel off. Granted, these things are completely non game breaking, but other companies have adopted some standards that I think might benefit SD to adhere to... it just makes the game feel more polished out of the gates.

So, for one - hardware detection.  I really felt like the game did a very poor job of detecting the optimal graphics, sound, etc, settings for my pc.  I'm not even sure if there is a check in there for your hardware or what, but my 5.1 surround system was identified as stereo speakers.  My 5850 radeon was not powerful enough to handle all of the max settings, etc.  So, I didn't like that.  But really, that's just a minor polish piece.  Anyway, I change my settings.  There is no OK button.  I expect to see it, but I see nothing.  I click on Main Menu after making my changes and then see a pop up indicating that these changes will require a restart.  Then, I see that there is no restart button.  I have to exit the game and then relaunch it.  Most current games have a change settings and then click ok button.  Also, most games prompt you to restart the game after you choose new settings if a restart is required.  Anyway, I personally think that the more the initial start up and configuration of Elemental is like AAA titles, the better.  Anyway, just my feedback.  If its not that difficult to implement in the future, I think this may be an easy win towards making the game feel more polished.  Thanks!

Edit - also, when I start my first game, I'm immediately confused.  I want to start the campaign mode, but I see the options "New Game" and "Campaign."  Most games start with campaign mode and then have a sandbox mode and/or MP mode.  The menu layout seems to indicate that New Game is what I should click on... and then try Campaign (order of importance).  For me, I want to play the campaign and then play skirmish mode or sandbox mode.  Anyway, I think you should reverse the items AND change the labeling for Campaign (item 1) and then Skirmish (item 2).

edit 2 - after playing the campaign for the first time, I meet up with janusk (or something to that effect)... in short, its just him and me after I survive a shipwreck.  I click on the crown.  I am able to design troop upgrades.  From a new player point of view, I have NO idea why I can design upgrades for my troops (its just me and 1 other guy) - I don't have a peasant or pioneer or anything.  I'm not at all sure why this is enabled at this point... it just adds confusion and takes away from the me and some guy made it out alive from a shipwreck story.   Its quite normal to check out the ui as you play a new game, and the ui enables settings that I don't need at this point in the game... which makes things for confusing... please disable elements that serve no purpose in the campaign until they are needed. edit - it actually seems like the crown icon should be disabled or all of the subcategories disabled until its possible to utilize them.  You turned off a few of the subs, but not all of them... Just think about the world as it is RIGHT THEN - you are shipwreck survivor - WTF are you doing having a button talking about dynasties, etc at this point?  Where are the troops that don't exist going to be upgraded to?  Etc. I hope I don't sound too crass, but I just want to give you some reasonable feedback based on my initial impressions and I think they would very much mirror any new player.

edit 3 - then I meet the third member (maybe of my crew?) - I took a screenshot but I just get a black screen so can't paste - anyway, the dialog says MIRAMOUS - "I see more than urgency in your eyes, boy.  Please, if you are heading north, take a moment to hear my tale."  Ok, so great, I'm interested and want to know what this guy has to say.  But guess what my immediate response is?  "Excellent.  You will make a fine addition to our kingdom."  Um... wtf?  Guy appears and wants to tell me what's going on in the north.  My response is - you will make a fine addition to our kingdom... ????  I walk up to a guy on the street.  He says he wants to tell me a story.  I say, you will make a fine addition to my household.  Doesn't make sense.  Anyway, I'm guessing this is a generic response.  Perhaps it should be changed to "go on..." or "ok..." or anything other than, you will make a fine addition to my kingdom.  If you want a quick out that fixes this at least to some degree - maybe change it to - "Click to continue."  In coding speak, maybe setup something so you have a few options - if dialog = generic, then "click to continue."  If recruiting, then "you will make a fine addition..." and so on.