>>719974418
>Is it at least less overwhelming for a beginner than Dominions?
For sure. The combat's automated like Dominions. Honestly, I haven't played too much of it so I can't speak on how its mechanics play compare to Dominions, but since you're also dealing with far fewer units and commanders, the midgame likely doesn't devolve into plotting the movements of a gorillion units across the entire map. Plus, the game itself prides itself on having each game take only about an hour to beat or something, so that also tells you it's more beginner-friendly.

Arguably, it's more of a gateway into Dominions proper than Conquest of Elysium, but with anime girls.