Oh well, I gave in and bought it.
One thing I already like: unit limit upped to 500.
One thing I didn't like: New ressource icons (but workshop to the rescue!).
In the end Age II was one of the most important games in my childhood, so I can overlook the sort of overpriced nature. I even created a map filled with a city and created a small campaign around it (save the important cart from bandits, break into the noble quarters, lead the uprising against the usurpor - shame all the data is lost Q_Q...). Its just a bit sad that absolutely no effort was made to incorporate some new stuff (auto explore for scout, unit grouping that tell you unit numbers, etc.).
Btw, whats your favored civ?
I used to play Teutons and Byzantines against the AI (back in the day when playing the game was just a "reach imperal age, build 1000 castles, win by spamming any troops + trebuchets). Persians were always awesome because of their elephants, but admittedly they are just monk and ranged fodder.
Then I actually added strategy (like the Flush) and switched to China, Celts, Huns, Korea, Maya - but still, I haven't to this day found one I'd stick with.
That being said - did they change some of the civs?
It seems that the Vikings (FINALLY) have mor techs available, Goths can build Huscarls in barracks and Japan got its attack speed bonus for INF earlier?
edit:
Ahhh... Stealing all the sheep from the AI is still as funny as it used to be.