I know it, you know it, we all know it: the game looks UGLY. We can pretend to like the low quality blurry textures, horrendous 3D character models and the watercolour art style but like with MoM, both games looked ugly on release.
But outside of that, this game stands next to giants like MoM, AoW and Endless Legends, despite not being as nearly well-known and highly rated as those other games. This game, I would say, has the most RPG elements for a 4X, which in turn allows for the most customisation and player-driven builds. You can visually customise heroes, units, equip them with armour, weapons and accessories then send them out to battle with fast-paced, tactical turn-based battles where units take turns depending on initiative the value. Base building is fun, seeing your village visually grow outwards with the more upgrades you buy, tie that together with the research trees and you feel like you're growing your own empire; rather than a "pre-defined" one the game sets out for you. There is diplomacy, not the best but far from the worst and functions favourably to make strategic decisions, such as being able to trade research progress for other gains.
Something I like about this game, that AoW also does, is when you scroll out the world map it changes into a "board game" aesthetic. It's quite pleasing to the eye and adds to the overall immersion. You can also do basic things like toggle resources on/off, manage armies and choose where to settle new cities. Standard 4X is all here.
Overall, it's a high fantasy 4X that combines many RP elements with grand strategy and tactical battles and there just aren't many games like this. As said above, this shares similarities with other games and is just (and better in ways) than them, but you need to look past dated graphics, bugs and clunky UIs.