Strategy games never need to rely on graphics as much as other games, I still play Back to War regularly with a few friends and I'm excited for this game but if it doesn't have anything new compared to the old ones I might drop out on it. The old games still got a good amount of people playing online, all though mostly Russians and east block. Always though that the fact that you need to maintain your food levels or your workers die of famine was a good mechanic, great way to restrict rushing compared to AoE (all though rushing in Cossacks isn't hard) and you also need stone / wood to upkeep your walls. For me personally the first Cossacks is a better AoE2.
