In the previous game, you would never see a person in their right mind play the Goths or Mongols. Their units were weak, they lacked key upgrades and didnt specialize in anything. Through an extensive overhaul of unit abilities and extra side bonuses, the sides are now all arguably competitive. For the system they use to animate this game it couldnt be better. The units are well detailed, combat looks crisp and at times hilarios.
Terrain rendering is also exceptional.
I dont know what to say about the sound. I never expected a soundtrack for the game. Its got great realistic combat sounds when units engage. It imitates gold mining sounds when you go over gold miners, and wood cutting on wood. It also has sounds of arrows wizzing, ships sailing, cannons booming and gates closing.