There are a few nice changes compared to Age of Empires 2. The nations are more distinct, and you have different Age Up mechanics. And you have a base building set up that is unique for each nation (also, Boars are different, which is nice).
History shows that large updates, like Age of Empires 3, are duds.
I’m very grateful they did not go full Age of Empires 3, which too me, was disappointing. Especially with how fun Age of Mythology was.
We can all claim we want something new and different and unique, but honestly, do we?