This is what the first game should have been. The AI is improved and WoTR will have you fighting for ME for a long time.
The first BFME's AI was bad. Units would be 100 yards from an enemy stronghold and just stand around and not press the attack. I am not a very good RTS player but in BFME I felt like an RTS god laying the smack down on the poor AI. Thankfully that's not the case in BFME2. I can now humbly crawl back into my corner as a noob RTS player because this AI is kicking my butt at medium level.
The AI no longer stands around with nothing to do. It presses the attack and overwhelms you so much more than in the first game. Wait until you have to defend Rivendell in WoTR mode and are being flanked by 2 or 3 enemies at once. The AI might not always be the brightest and you'll wonder why it runs by your troops sometimes but it's still improved from the first game. If you are a veteran RTS player it may not be hard for you. That's what I keep reading from all the people who say the AI is bad. If you're a veteran RTS player you'll be playing online and shouldn't even bother with the AI for anything other than practice. But for the average gamer... trust me, the AI is tough enough.
I'd love to write more but time is money. I'll just say that the graphics are improved, the sound is wonderful and the value is unquestionable. WoTR, multiplayer online, 6 factions, storyline heros, create a hero, etc. will keep me busy for a long time. I gave the first game an 8.8 and for it's time it was a very good game for a novice RTS player. This sequel is easily .6 points better and a step up to a true RTS game for fans of the source material.