Well now you sons of a silly person made me buy it.
First impressions. The interface is confusing. I'm sure I will get used to it in due time, but for now I'm constantly at a loss where to go or what to do. The system felt simpler in the prequel, especially finding what provinces belong to whom and who is related to whom. The information all in all is harder to find.
The counties don't seem to get much love. The original game was full of counties, whereas now they seem to be all duchies or kingdoms. I don't mind being a vassal to someone in the beginning, but there is now much less choice than in the first game, because the dukes simply own most of the provinces by themselves.
The dynasty system seems to be improved. I like how you can gain or lose prestige by marrying. Makes sense that your heir shouldn't marry a bloody peasant without someone snickering behind your back. The family tree is also novel, but I could do without it as well. Intrigue at least for now seems to be a more potential tool than before and I like the humorous touch in the events.
The tutorials were humorous too, but I think it wasn't intentional. Advanced tutorial about economy: "Economy exists. You make money with economy. You buy stuff with money. The end."
All in all, it's Crusader Kings alright. Will have to play a lot more to say if it's better or worse than before and probably wait for a few truckloads of patches as well. It would be unfair to compare this to fully patched CK + Deus Vult.