RTR is about fireworks, eye candy and flashy graphics.

To have an awesomely bad metaphor explain it all, RTR is a crappy beat up car (vanilla) with flames and rims on it. EB is the crappy beat up car without all the flames and rims, but a giant muscle engine in it. It can really go, while RTR is really entertaining. . . for awhile, till it sputters out and dies and you have to call Triple A.

Okay, maybe I took the metaphor too far, but in general I enjoyed RTR alot till I played awhile in campaign, then EB came out and although the skins are less, "omg purty colors" and stuff, its far more appealing to me as a history guy and a strategy gamer.