I enjoyed my first outing with the game, but it felt much too tame. If a predator comes into your village you fight it or run - you don't carry on with what you were doing before it showed up! The domesticated dogs were useless - it would be much more fun if they could be taken on hunting trips. Caveats aside, the mechanics largely worked well, but the game's pacing needs improving - there were long periods once the initial industries were established where you waited for the next tech points to be awarded and it got a bit boring. Overall, though, a good game and would be even better with randomly created maps like Banished.
The combination of resource building, role-playing and real-time strategy was almost unique when Spellforce appeared, but is irresistable once you get into it. It takes some getting used to, which might be why the game is not better known, but the maps are good, the stories are excellent and you have an upgradeable team. Spellforce 1 and 2 and their add-ons were my favourite games for years before Elder Scrolls, Fallout and co finally got into top gear.
