A solid iteration and improvement on the Age of Wonders formula, by no means perfect and plenty of room for improvement and expansion its a really solid foundation.
Highlights include siege projects where instead of needing to build and escort siege weapons to a walled settlement you build them on site to break down the walls, different projects having different effects (more breaches, siege weapons, positive and negative effects for allies and enemies and so-on.
Spells and heroes feel powerful and effective, high level spells and heroes feeling like true demigods on the battlefield.
Heroes found outposts & settle ruins which cuts out the need for settlers & units & structures have their own separate production queues which really helps the pacing of the game letting you get to the fighting faster without sacrificing your city building too much.
Lots of customizable playstyles with empire affects based on affinities and transformations for your race (minor ones like becoming slightly bestial, getting rock or metal skin, becoming vessels for chaotic powers or morale siphoning wights & major ones like becoming angelic or fiendish, becoming one with nature or descending into undeath) and a plethora of powerful enchantments.

Over all a great time with a fair bit of replayability.

A solid iteration and improvement on the Age of Wonders formula, by no means perfect and plenty of room for improvement and expansion its a really solid foundation. Highlights include siege projects where instead of needing to build and escort siege weapons to a walled settlement you build them on site to break down the walls, different projects having different effects (more breaches, siege weapons, positive and negative effects for allies and enemies and so-on. Spells and heroes feel powerful and effective, high level spells and heroes feeling like true demigods on the battlefield. Heroes found outposts & settle ruins which cuts out the need for settlers & units & structures have their own separate production queues which really helps the pacing of the game letting you get to the fighting faster without sacrificing your city building too much. Lots of customizable playstyles with empire affects based on affinities and transformations for your race (minor ones like becoming slightly bestial, getting rock or metal skin, becoming vessels for chaotic powers or morale siphoning wights & major ones like becoming angelic or fiendish, becoming one with nature or descending into undeath) and a plethora of powerful enchantments. Over all a great time with a fair bit of replayability.