Awesome game indeed, but missing something that the previous had...
The gameplay in this one was hardly changed except for new technologies, vast new numbers of units and all sorts of ways to define a unique civilization.
The game makes for months of gameplay and days of strategy refining (unless you're a strategy guide addict...for shame!). Another new trait of this game that, unfortuneatly, took away from gameplay, was the steelness of it all. The game wasn't very involving at all. The cities always looked EXACTLY the same, meeting with other leaders showed an ancient picture of them with a wierd diplomat focused on moving enthusiastically to express his/her feelings. But, the animated council provided amusement and the wonder movies were, well, wonderful!
The graphics were well done and the addition of the movies made for a beautiful looking game. The cities were lacking however, and the units were still just pictures.
The sound was a definite step up from the first in the series. The units now had fairly diverse and fitting battle sounds and there was some constant background music (however repetetive). But, all of the ingame music seemed to have a blandness to it.
All in all, a very good game, and you'll be addicted nonetheless, just be prepared for a LONG night!