Just played about 100 turns of the new beta after last playing beta 1 and things are much improved.

The responsiveness of the UI is excellent, I found myself using spells in almost every combat (nice change) and the summoning seems much more useful but summoned creatures didn't seem to gain much strength when leveling up.  Early game battles against AI monsters were challenging and balanced, and I used a LOT of overland spells like the one that increases research and the one that creates a temporary outpost.  I did not run out of builing choices around turn 75 like I used to and the general feeling is that the game is much more "magical".  Also the troops I created in the early game like spearmen are finally strong enough to be useful.

THE GRID SHOWING YOU WHICH TILES ARE PASSIBLE/IMPASSIBLE is a major bonus.

Thumbs up dudes.  I don't have any nitpicks at all, exept that the roads are very hard to see in the forests.