Awesome graphics but the shifting of focus lets down this fan of the prequel.
The first major focus change I found was onto tribute. Now you, as a god, need people to give you praise so you can build things? Well, I guess it does make the game a bit harder, albeit not enough. As if you can build a majestic enough city, the enemy's people fall in wonder. Or you can create a heap load of archers and get your War Beast and go on a destructive rampage. Either way you need to invest in city management as every town you take over (by force) falls into your control. If you build a metropolis instead, you need to constantly expand to contain the immigrants.
Creature control is a lot easier as you can access each of your creatures thoughts. Such as, "Should I eat trees?" then slap or stroke him till you reach the desired effect. The new leashes, i.e. the Soldier, Entertainer, Builder, are pretty useful if you want him in a single role. Although if you train him he usually does what you want.
So this game feels as if you have lost some of your freedom that you had in the prequel but the graphics are simply amazing. That is if you have a high end system. With as much detail as the ants on the ground to the sunsets. And not to mention that the peoples feet look much better.
I won’t say it is a major let down. Just a change from the more open ended world we once had.