Significantly better than the first one
The new resource system is similar to most other RTS games, and thus easier for a newcomer to grasp (this is a good thing).
Experimentals no longer take forever and a day to build and can come into play faster than before, and play a better/bigger role. Much tuning has been done to make sure they're not TOO over-powered, yet still are very worth building.
I love the new tech research system and do not miss, at all, the upgrading of each and every freaking building type.
Long story short, the game is totally worth it. Pick it up on steam for just over $20 and have a good time.
The Bad:
There is no DLC or even a map editor... what you get is all you get, which kind of sucks. The lack of custom content, or the ability to create it, is what brings this review down to an 8.