After getting over the shock of it leaving traditional RTS elements, you wonder why all RTS games arn't like this!
Anyways, let's talk about what is the main focus of this game: online. Admittedly, after playing the first online match and failed to see a builder unit, I had a hard time enjoying the match. It took me a couple of matches to get used to the new play style and emphasis on keeping your squads alive, cover, and intricate use of all your units. But after I realized how the new game works, I could not stop playing it. You get to choose from three hero units from each race when going into battle where each hero has a different play style. There are tons of ways to play the matches and tons of different strategies to use.
Yes you do not go out and destroy the other players base, you have to capture and hold more victory points than the other team to reduce their points to zero, after that, you win. This forces players to quickly go out on the map and fight. These victory points also allow for some interesting turns in the battle and can lead to some very fun comebacks. It is great fun.
Some people complain about the lack of races as opposed to DOW1. They fail to remember DOW1 only started with 4 races, this allows them to make sure those starting races are very well balanced, they will surely add more races in future expansions. Others complain that the AI is too easy, this is partially true when you get pretty good but as it is anyways, you should be playing other human players online to get the full fun matches.
Matches can range from 10-25 minutes on 1v1 depending on the skills of both players and presumably a little longer in bigger rooms. The victory point method of winning though forces matches to eventually come to an end which is nice since you don't always have to set up 45 minutes of time just to play one match.
I just ask you all this one favor, give the game a day or two before you make your final decision, it takes some time to get used to it all and learn all the intricacies of upgrading and all the strategies you can follow. If you give it time, you will surely fall in love.