Why is it strange? I don't believe I have played the game enough yet, and I do not know enough about what problems with the game are going to be addressed by the developers, for me to make an informed decision about whether this game has been 'condescendingly simplified'.
Can't a guy get a decent number of games in before he decides?
Well, my astonishment comes from the fact that Civ0.V feels completely different than Civ4.
One can like it or not, but I think that is something which anybody feels at the same moment. At least it was that way for me, immediately leading to asking myself: "What and where are the differences?"
I have come to a conclusion for myself.
The bolded part of your statement seems to indicate that you've come to a conclusion as well.