Although the game looks difficult Age of Wonders II is very rewarding.
Like the original Age of Wonders, the sequel lets you fight each battle in a tactical turn-based combat mode but you'll often find yourself concerned with other things like the progress of your cities and their buildings, researching new magic spells or new abilities.
Age of Wonders II has a dozen playable races. Each playable race can recruit armies that include priest units, siege engines and other military units.
The real diversity among the races comes from their different sets of military units. Like in Age of Wonders, the lowest-level units of each side are similar, but the more-powerful units are increasingly divergent, and many of them have interesting and often devastating special abilities.
In each turn you can research new abilities and spells, either to learn a new spell or gain an additional wizard's skill.
Age of Wonders II has a lot to offer to everybody who plays it. It may seem difficult for beginners (I know this because i'm also a beginner and it took me forever to learn it but once i've learned it it offered a very satisfying experience).
In the end Age of Wonders II The Wizard's Throne sounds good, looks great and plays great.