I think just the opposite for a plethora of reasons. Epic 40k was the best for getting miniatures in the core game box, yes, but in my opinion it was the WORST with a capital W versions of Epic that was ever produced. And I honestly don't think Epic Armageddon was quite as good as SM2/TL either.
Something that has bothered me about Epic 40k (and Epic Armageddon for that matter) is how they did not transfer all of the models from SM2/TL over to Epic 40k or EA. That was a very very big mistake on their part. Unexcusable actually, considering the amount of miniatures that had been produced for the game.
And they put in the Worst mechanic in any of their game systems into EA. The idea that you have to roll to see if a unit or model can activate. Did they not understand that it was only in the time before electronic communication systems that people had to rely on flags being raised and waived around, and horns being blown, and drums being beaten and people yelling loudly to get troops moving and doing what they are supposed to?
With electronic communications, even with all of the jamming and stuff that goes on, there isn't a problem in getting your troops to activate. That hasn't been a problem since the 70s at least. Maybe even earlier. An now we're supposed to believe that 40,000 years in the future, the galaxy's most technologically advanced races are going to have trouble mobilizing their troops? I don't think so. From a gaming point of view, it is absolutely terrible game design. It's no wonder EA tanked.
One of the number one rules of game design is to never EVER allow a rule in a game that makes it so it is possible that a majority of yours or your opponents models cannot activate. Magic the Gathering did it all the time (only not with models) And it is the most complained about thing in their entire game. Warmachine did it too. And it was the most complained about thing in their game (I'm looking at you Sorscha!)
I've seen battle reports of EA where 8 out of 10 units couldn't activate. And what is worse, is that the mechanic allows for this to happen turn after turn after turn until the game is over. People don't mind when their models get killed. But they don't like it when they spend points on models and said models cannot do anything. People like to
play games, not have games played
at them. In fact, over the years I have seen those kind of mechanics make people rage quit games hundreds of times. They are just BAD.
So while, yes, it's been 20 years since Epic 40k was made, I have no love for it. Not even in the slightest. Because to me, it's birth signaled the death of my favorite version of Epic and ushered in the diet coke version of epic.