I'd like some suggestions for mods for MTW or whether MTW2 is worth my time and the $20 it is on steam.

Basically I've become bored of MTW despite loving the game so much (I can occasionally enjoy it, but i'm not passionate about it anymore)
The main problem is that it doesn't challenge me anymore and i feel like i can never lose. (as an example I'm currently playing high Byzantines on hard @ 1275 and at no point have i felt threatened AT ALL. despite the mongols having eastern Anatolia and i not having the forces to contend with them, they don't attack and the battle AI can no longer beat me unless I'm simply hopelessly outclassed/outnumbered)
So things have become tedious and repetitive and sometimes it even feels like a chore to play the game rather than fun.

I have tried i think all or nearly all of the big mods on the site but didn't like any of them especially once i'd learnt them (though am open to a second go)

So can anyone recommend mods/mtw2/other games especially in view of maximum challenge/fun.