Get better mods, kiddo
My fully modded DEI setup says otherwise

Probably you are using the wrong mods.

Use Wars of the Gods or Para Bellum

I find vanilla game very enjoyable. The campaign DLC's are actually very interesting and engaging from a gameplay perspective. I don't see any bugs and have had very few crashes. I'd say the game is in a very different stage from where it was at launch. It certainly doesn't play exactly like the newer warhammer/fantasy titles. I'd say that if you want more streamlined gameplay/mechanics, with a greater focus on quick, fast-paced combat, try the those fantasy titles. Rome 2, for all of its faults, does resemble the older historical titles (rome 1, MW 2, shogun) more than it does the newer titles.

If you see no bugs you are probably not too far into the game. Once you subscribe to Ultimate Fixes you cannot go back. As well as a bunch of other user-made patches such as Germanic Overhaul, Etruscan Accent etc.