I didn`t play 1.5.4 and 1.5.5, I played 1.5.6 and I can tell it`s much much better. Behaviour of soldiers in formations is great, but when you lead army and you give advance order to infantry and archers, if hero assigned to lead them is on horse, he charge enemy alone. So every time I lead army I lose one or two hero. Progress of EA is great and to have longer playthrough I only need child education and hero deaths in simulation.