STRONG GAME no pun intended
The game has a great linear path. The choices and alliances a player makes early in the game determines the way your campaign will unfold.
The only drawback I can see in this game comes after hours of gameplay in the campaign. The end-game units are not very rewarding or exciting to use. There is no huge advantage by starting out with anyone, so the game can be fun every time.
Replay value I would give an 8 or 9, because it is really a different game each campaign.
I've been gaming for about 18 yrs, so graphics are not my call to judge(considering what we started out at). I will say stunning, and improved
finally, since it is such a slow-paced game at time by taking hours upon hours to complete a campaign fun factor ..... 8... imo if the campaigns ended quicker it would take away though. After replaying it about 5-6 campaigns you just wish you could turn off enemy unit moves like in the original.
but overall I'll give this game a 9.5 for cinematic value, well-rounded countries, and overall improvement over the first.