C# is lot more easy, it has some C++ features, but all very simplified and clear.
But there are also 3D engines like Neo Axis, using C# but with big weakness on tutorials or documentation and simple examples.
Even the coding and functions to call can be complicated because the author don't have think in keeping all simple (Neo Axis as example).

So the language don't really means easyness all time !

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I think it's lot more a matter to make the engine very accessible to 3D artists by
- the tools
- the fluid easy workflow
- the easyness of the script or programming language
- tes easyness on 3D functions to call
- Physics used by default for characters, levels, terrain etc and simple physic calls that works.

I think for 3D artists knowing programming a good 3D engine is lot more a matter of good balance.
There are actually two other engines i use( one very knwon and another not very known) so i can say , yes this type of 3D engine open to 3D artists, open to simple or very advanced programmers exists.

But i stop comparing Esenthel to them, and just can say, Esenthel is not so trivial to pick up at beginning with C++.
Perhaps you'll have good performance indeed !

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I just found a test made from some Unity VS Esenthel thread :

just made a little performance test with similar scenes.

esenthel : 35-40 fps
-small terrain(normal mapped material), 1 player character(~6k poly), 400 animated characters(2600 poly, 32 bones, normal mapped material, has physics(not sure char controller or rigid body)), shadows on,

unity free : 25-30 fps
-default plane(no material), 400 animated characters(900 poly, 45 bones, diffuse material, no physics), no shadows


esenthel is fast, solid and cheap but lacks some critical features and has poor tools.

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From my personnal point of view, i seek lot more PRODUCTIVITY.
Learning Esenthel for now , it's not a win, perhaps i'll do better later ?
So im' not productive today with it and i'm more productive with the two other engines.

If you can learn and understand Esenthel programming and not put years to make your game framework based on what can do the engine then this can be a good 3D tool for you.