Good Move, Bingjack, in making this Post ! It's not like we have to be fanboys, here; and, in fact, we shouldn't be! But ... "a little credit, where credit is due" ... is never a bad thing.
I think the Artwork in E:FE is steadily improving. Besides the new Load Screen, we have several new cut-screens as well. As you point out, the Cloth Map has been improved substantially. We also have all (the sheer volume) of costumes, characters, landscapes, and weaponry. I think Landscape changes have been subtle; but a slight brightening of several features has been a real improvement, in my mind. Best of all, the Artwork has some real continuity and cohesiveness; which, in turn, helps add to the feeling of immersion in the Elemental World. The game is really developing its own look ... or more accurately, the Art team behind it, is really developing an atmospheric, unique look. So, I'll repeat here something I said in another thread:
Special Shout-out to the Art Direction Team: specifically, Art Director: Paul Boyer; and his team: Akil Dawkins, Jue "Leo" Li, Kay Fedewa, James Arvin, Scott Tykoski, and Cristian Scubli. You folks rock! You are creating, polishing, and extending a unique look to this latest generation of 4X game ...