You said you stopped playing AoE a long time ago. Well what about RoR (Rise of Rome expansion)? If you jumped to starcraft cuz of things you didn't like about AoE (of course I have to admit that the farm bug is in RoR too), well you might find RoR much more enjoyable.
I personally don't like SC. I think that AoE/RoR way over rule it in, enjoyment level, graphics, music, and stratagy.
I sometimes here people say that they like SC better cuz it's not such a long drawn out game. They like short games and quick battles they say.
Well that's their opinion, cuz I like big, long and drawn out battles and big maps to give a great advantage in expanding your territory and conquests. Another thing is, SC is a bunch of SF and futuristic stuff. Not to mention that I like real earth history.
Don't take this personal, but in my opinion you should stay loyal to AoE/RoR cuz that's what a true ager is. LOL
I, Lysimachus: As one of the four generals of Alexander the Great, I serve him with the best of my military knowledge