I was excited when I first heard of the AoW3 announcement, but the available info and videos left me quite worried.
- Less races, less units per stack, more cramped tactical map (more and more HoMM-like).
- The class units and generic race units might make each race seems less unique.
- GUI. On the main map, units are difficult to see and identify, even in the vid when the zoom level is about equivalent to 200% zoom in AoW:SM (hex size was very large in the vids). Information indicators and buttons are all over the place (eg., when you click on a stack, I think it would be nicer to have the unit list pop up at the bottom of the screen, closer to the other info panels at the bottom). On the tactical map, the camera perspective looks awkward to me. Health bars are a bit difficult to see. It seems to me that overall the new GUI makes it harder to you to get information and perform actions.
- Game mechanics. flanking/guarding: it seems this would make it more difficult for the AI to handle, while not adding much to tactical finesses. Neutrals that can grow: ok. Otherwise, not much improvements it seems.
I wonder how the end product will turn out, but I am not holding that much hope at this time.