Left Alt is a great addition
The faction aesthetics are very nice. Like warband, each faction has a unique and cool flavor.
Captain mode is fun and should have been a thing in Warband native.
The maps *look* very cool. Not speaking about balance at all, but the aesthetics are great. I am beyond excited for the map editor.
CONTROVERSIAL OPINION: I actually really like the cav vs cav. It feels really good the way it is right now. The new stab direction really helps, and hits feel impactful. It took adjusting, but the lance timing feels more controllable than Warband cav, probably because the lances are so much faster. The only thing I do not like about it is how easy couching is in 2v1 engagements. Unlike spearman vs cav, couches do not threaten me in 1v1 cav v cav. They can consistently be outreached and the person couching can be punished. Hopefully a cav rework doesn't screw this up. As long as couches, armor, rearing is the only thing being adjusted, I dont see how it could.