More of the same great gameplay! Not very different - definitely a 1.5 version, not a 2.0.
This review is using my level 50 wizard as the starting character, I have not explored the new classes. The game is definitely more of the same, essentially extending the map south to new areas and expanding the story in new (and unrelated to the earlier story) directions. There are new objects and characters, spells and tactics, but no new music. Production values are the same as the prior story, but feel a little LESS epic and connected.
I thought it interesting that NOTHING happens on the old parts of the map, save one quest to get rid of stinky creatures (yep, STINKY CREATURES).. That quest ends up opening access back to the area in question, so unless you want ot keep all towns generating cash, there is no reason to go back.
For the first time, your party is too big too, and you have to cut somebody loose, I thought that was an interesting touch, something I was not expecting.
A couple of observations that I think are interesting - generally with a 50+ character with good items and spells, nothing is exceedingly hard, until you get near the end - then things go from average to near impossible! Also, the hardest challenge in the game is not a character - you'll have to play the game to see what I mean! I thought that having to dramatically recalibrate all your equipped items to proceed was a clever twist. I had to rebalance the attacking methodology after I got pretty far into the game. Plague witches suck!
I recommend the expansion to anyone who enjoyed the original! after taking about 6 months off after finishing it, this was a welcome revisit!