The UI is definitely easier to navigate. But the game is still about timing wars and angling to get heirs on thrones, and the game still does not do a great job of shouting out nearby wars.
And rulers get free navies now so Ireland is actually kind of dangerous. I recommend new players start in modern Norway
If you like Dwarf Fortress’s adventure mode, and don’t mind a swap to a high sci fi setting: please give this game a shot, it’s the cheapest price it has had so far