One of the greatest Total War games to ever be created. This might not be the historical setting many love from Total War, but this mixes things up in ways we have never experienced, such as spells, Races that play COMPLETELY different to others regarding units, skills, etc. This is purely the game by itself. Add in the DLC's and you have much, much more content and unique races than before (and for the DLC's price point, they are well worth it).

Don't be discouraged from the steep learning curve, the races and by the Warhammer setting, This will come slowly overtime once you're settled in and you will often find youself asking questions regarding the races making you want to invest time to know more.

Oh, and regarding you "needing" Total War Warhammer 1 and all the DLC to have the "full" game, is not true. Total War Warhammer 1 and 2 may be very similar, but they are definitely two different games. No DLC is required to get the full experience.