Best blend between AOW-ish and D&D type game play. Things I like better on this game than AOW..
1. You can modify individual units within your stacks.
2. Stack size will grow as you gain experience/levels.
3. Less resources spread across the map so much more intentional how you move around the map (more strategy)
4. Resource depletion.. unlike AOW, most resources are finite.. so you need to move your area of influence around the map.. adding to the strategy of game play... unlike AOW where you can spam Outposts.
5. You can retreat from battles.. if your stack is attacked, you have the option to retreat. Depending on the difficulty level you play, you may or may not survive the retreat.. but units will definitely be very low health afterwards.. Typically two retreat attempts will kill you stack (being attacked from two different AI stacks back to back).
6.. there is a ton more.. it just feels more configurable which adds a ton of strategy areas where AOW doesn't have.

CONS..
1. Nearby stacks don't participate in battles.. I wouldn't call this a big CON, since you can retreat or cancel a battle if the game shows you will lose.. and then move in with a more powerful stack.
2. I haven't figured a way to do auto battle once you select to do Manual first.. (so you enter the battle field, but want AI to run the battle.. I do this on AOW so I can better organize my army prior to letting the AI run the game.. which seems to be a big factor on AOW AI Battle outcome). This may exist but haven't found it yet (I play a lot on Steam Deck)
3. Variety in classes and races.. AOW definitely has more choices when setting up your faction at the beginning..
4. No Vassals which I enjoy as part of my game play.. but your Heros can move their area of influence around the map and be able to draft new fighters based on the buildings that are in your area of influence.. I see this as a PRO when wanting to mix your army with Orcs, Humans, Wizards, Slavers, etc
5. Graphics.. AOW is a beautiful game both at the MAP level and within battles.. SpellForce is also a great looking game, but you can tell they just didn't spend as much time with the polish.. However, where it lacks in this area it more than makes up with a more strategic gaming experience.
6. No Multiplayer.. this is my biggest dislike of the game, but if you have played AOW with friends via multiplayer.. you know late game waiting for friends to finish their turn can definitely take a while and instead of getting 10-15 turns in for an evening.. you might only get 5-6.

Overall I like this game AS much as I like AOW. If I am playing solo.. I tend to play this. If I want to play with my buddies, I play AOW.

I enjoyed my time with the game. It offers great replayability with many possible builds. I appreciate the power growth you can feel through a run going from pathetic little speck of an apprentice who is just scrapping by in the beginning to a notable force that can flatten anything thrown at them, assuming you're playing on higher difficulties and you know what you are doing. It also very respectful of the Spellforce lore. Just be warned that the game can drag a bit if you go with alchemy as most of the power it grants are only used in manual combat.