Tight/Loose formation button works in the opossite way for some units (roman, barbarians etc)

I dont know if this is not a bug or if it was already reported. Premarian roman units, batoroi etc get into tight formation when pressing Loose and the other way around.

Also at least one unit (hoplitai haploi) doesnt seem to have loose formation?

I believe this is intended and is not a bug. Swordsmen units start in loose formation (though it's technically tight, they just swapped the two for those units) as they're typically meant to serve as shock troops, who don't require a dense formation and in fact are hampered by it (swordsmen units are better fighters mano-a-mano rather than in formation). The density of spear formations is what gives them an edge in holding the line as well as fighting cavalry, but it does end up making them more susceptible to missile fire.

oh ok. thx.

Indeed, not a bug, but an intended feature. Based on some recent research about the frontage of Roman and other swordmen.

Same goes units without loose formation, not all of them have it. By design.

So what are some advantages that people have found to putting Roman swordsmen in the new tighter formation?

so why not giving these units a true loose formation?