Sometimes they provide valuable opinion, yes. Other times they simply restate the frustration of the critic over and over.

Choosing the same setting twice means little creativity, so M2TW or Rome 2 that will eventually be made, also show little creativity. However, other than the research - they are completely different games. Even the engines although related are not the same and different work will have to be made on mechanics, balancing, the AI, not to mention artwork etc.

However when you dislike the setting, CA are lazy, metallographic analysis pointless and Samurai Hollywood overhyped, period. So yes, maybe i shoudn't argue ;)