That's simply not true. First there aren't any races with bowmen and crossbowmen. Secondly, they all have unique animations.

It is true. Have you opened the editor or even watched the animations? The projectile for the crossbowmen and archers is even the same...

Yes, no differences between norscan raiders, with giants and mammoths. Empire, with steam tanks and a ridiculous amount of artillery firepower. And brettonia, with knights and peasants and wooden horses. After all they're just generic humans.

A different coat of paint. The same car underneath. A coat of red paint won't turn an old junker into a Ferrari.

There are races that can do this, its boring as all shit and doesn't make any sense thematically. Why would the empire colonize dwarfholds or the badlands in general?

Because it's a game and it's supposed to be fun? How about that for a reason?

Orcs are some of the best in melee. It's goblins that ranged harass. Grimgor can take on armies by himself. Because he da best.

Does the best involve running away after two seconds of fighting?

And here's the part that shows you're nothing more than a historical fanboy.

Yeah... I think you believe that's a bad thing... Somehow...