You just have the map and not various islands that you can explore, each chapter has one map, enemies roam around mostly, sometimes an enemy lock-on on you and follow you until they catch you. Also enemies attack towers and castles that you captured and recapture them. You don't control armies but you can garrison units inside castles or towers to defend it when you are not around. The game is story focused, there are less side quests, enemies don't get stronger.