ive probably made more anti civ 5 threads than about anyone - and i approve g+k.
Its no BTS but maybe a warlords, and i hope for a final expansion to add in 1-2 future era's, more civ's, corporations - and a good earth map that isn't terrible.
Religion is not only important but it can not be avoided - EVERYONE will found a religion (pretty much) however i have not seen everyone get enhancers. The reason you can't avoid it is that you want the good policies in it.
Espionage isn't "cool" like in BTS, its more of a pain that it is reminiscent of some 13 year old raging troll with a high pitched kid voice over teamspeak.
By that, i mean that EVERY civ gets one spy automaticly in the ren era. Then, one more each era thereafter.
If a spy is in your city it will work to prevent tech steal.
In enemy city it will tech steal. If the AI has plans to invade another AI, (or you) it might tell you, and you can "share intrigue" if your spy in Thebes learns Ramses plans to invade Monty.
If a spy is in a city state, it will thwart the election which has such a big impact on city state diplomacy that you can throw all the gold into a city state you want, one spy will make you "friends" again.
Despite that espionage is a bummer, the new civ's are worthy - religion is nice - and units tend to take 5 volleys instead of 3 to kill, meaning it's "easier" to defend oneself. New city state types are good, and now i am just waiting for the mods to roll in. Some mods exist for "small things" but nothing big yet.
The only thing positive i can say about espionage is the gap between the top and bottom 3 nations mid-late game seems to have closed somewhat because they can steal techs to keep up.