I always liked that the game mechanics of every expansion are shown in artwork on front of the box although I still miss the shrines of the heretics (which i didn't find in the old artwork as well). So, good they kept that concept.
And also in general: thumbs up for always depicting the expansion symbol, and always on the same place...something in which the old artwork failed but maybe that's just me being slightly autistic
- Main Game Box: I prefer the sight of the old artwork down the castle walls although the new artwork depicts nicely all game mechanics of the base game
- Inns & Cathedrals: hooray for the addition of the cathedral in the back, I missed that one in the old artwork.
- Traders & Builders: nice one, much action with the escaping pig, the trade goods and the overloaded builder
- Princess and Dragon: the scale of the dragon and fairy just don't match. One plus: they added a volcano in the back.
- The Tower: honestly, I agree it's a better version then the old artwork version.
- Abbey & Mayor: not bad but I have the feeling -could be me- that the Mayor had some barrel of wine too many.
- Count, King and Robber: still miss that shrine of the heretics unless that's the shiny thing on the right of the count?
- Manege frei: a bit early to say as I don't know what's inside that box. But sea lions and elephants in Carcassonne...just doesn't seem that likely to happen...
I prefer the artwork of Traders and Builders as I prefer it as an expansion as well.
I think the V2 tower box is vastly superior to V1. I also like the guy chasing the pigs on Traders and Builders, but you can't tell what they are trading and is the guy with the scrolls a builder or a messanger? The other boxes are much too happy almost in a creepy way.
For me, Dirk, the bags in the front ar wheat bags, the barrel to the right might be some wine. And I hope the guy with the scrolls is a builder otherwise he has lots of messages to deliver. :-)
PS: almost all people and even animals are laughing in the new artwork...didn't know the dark ages were so amusing!
But still, i will always prefer the old fashioned artwork of version 1. Can't help it.