I think splendor gets more interesting if your opponents are also trying to be strategic. You can see what color chips they are picking up, which lets you know what they are aiming for, which influences what card you want to aim for or reserve. Mid game, you can see what colors other people are missing and try to corner colors to give you room to breath and pick up cards. You can also see the set of colors people are holding to see which of the 4 final bonus point cards are being fought over.

I like the game for what it is. I'd say, surprisingly strategic.