Okay... I've been playing for a few days now and here is my take from a FPS newb's point of view. Notice that I am new to online FPS games as a whole and I don't have the bitterness/experience that veterans do.... so, here I go:
Before I say anything about BF2, I should tell you that the game is a resource hog to end all resource hogs. Do not plan to make use of that spiffy hyperthreading technology or listen to your favorite songs while you play... it's tough to even task out of the game. I runs on an 800mb+ footprint and will dominate your computer while you play it.... my specs are as follows:
Asus K8V SE Motherboard
AMD AThlon 64 3200+ (clocked at 2.2ghz)
NVidia Geforce 6800GT (slightly overclocked)
1gb ghetto PNY RAM
WinXP Pro (sans SP2)
So... the game starts up fine (provide you have the absolute latest Forceware drivers) and loads in a long, but bearable time. In game, I experience clunkiness for about one minute as the game finishes loading into RAM. After that, and aside from the lag, the game runs smooth at the recommended settings.
Graphics: 10/10
Mind-blowing to say the least. Some of the effects and the gritty realism of the worlds make killing your sworn enemies pure bliss. While the gfx are not perfect, you have to understand that you'll be playing along with up to 63 other folks, and for that type of game, the graphics are amazing.
Sound: 8/10
The menu music sucks... I loved the epic sound of the BF1942 music and the wide variety of songs on BFVietnam. No such luck here, though. The sound in the game, expecially when you have a good pair of headphone or speakers, can really immerse you. Top that with built in VOIP, your squadmates and commanders scream over the booming of artillery shells dropping fifteen feet away from you while your fallen comrades scream "MEDIIIC!!!" and others shout of the incoming tank on the left flank of the base. IN all, there's a lot going on in the game and the sound reflects that.... frantic and cinematic.
GUI/Menu: 6/10
Run of the mill... and that's being nice. It's less spiffy than BF1942 while still retaining all of the problems. The in game server browser can be Satan incarnate if you dare to list more than a few games in the window. But you didn't buy BF2 for the menu's did you?
Single Player: 3/10
It's there. It's 16 player, with "smart" bots. But it's only to get you acquainted with the game. Once you play your first multiplayer game on a 64 player map, you will never touch SP again (until they mod it to support 64 bots).... I will also mention now that there is NO multiplayer co-op.... sentient beings only, sorry.
Multplayer: 11/10
I can't say enough... if you go into the game with no expectations, it will blow you away. I know there are fans of Desert Combat and fans of Vietnam, but if you don't compare BF2 with mods or what not and take it as a fresh evolution of BF1942 play, then you will have a blast. The usual downsides are all there.... jackasses with chips on their shoulders, Teurette's inflamed psycho teenagers, and what not. To counter this, EA has built the online game around it's contraversial "ranked" servers. Ranked servers mean that every step you take is recorded and put in your permanent file. If you're a TeamKiller, your rating is going to blow. If you're a genuinely good player, your ratings will soar. While there is currently a problem with the timing of ranks posted (they take up to 24 or more hours to "post" on your profile), it's a fun aspect to truly show that you can also walk the walk.
There are new teamplay mechanics in place as well as enhanced player roles. Each player can join a squad, each of which is guided by a squad leader, who are all overseen by a single commander player. This three-deep chain of command makes the little guys feel like something bigger and the bigger guys responsible for the fate of the litttle guys. Thus, the inheirent coordination can create some adrenaline pumping moments when you and five other men rush to a capture point.
Of course, nothing says that three of those men won't be cut down like grass to a lawnmower while you assault the point. Enhanced roles play a huge song in the chorus of things going on. I exclusively play a medic. I have the ability to use my uber electric paddles to bring those fallen soldier back to life. I score a point, we don't lose a ticket, and the dynamic of the battlefield just got a whole lot less stable.
Nothing, NOTHING compares to a well-coordinated squad with each man taking on a unique role and using the VOIP to talk. You will feel like you are one of "the guys" and your score will reflect it.
All in all... if you can deal with the occasional moron long enough for him to be booted, then BF2 is a deadringer for destroying your social life. It's gotten me, the sworn enemy of online games, hooked... that's gotta count for something.
