Better than BF2, but worth it?
The gameplay is amazing, and is a nice enhancement from BF2. While the game structure remains the same as the previous Battlefield installments, the infantry combat is much more visceral and fun. The game seems well balanced, and the new unlock system is amazing. Each class now holds it's own and is flexible enough to feel like you as an individual build your own tactics. Furthermore, the unlocks are far more frequent that those in BF2 and give the player a larger sense of accomplishment. The titan mode is a blast, although extremely laggy (varying from server to server.) Hopefully this is cleared up in a patch soon.
The graphics are great, not next gen, but definitely a substantial improvement over BF2. The graphics engine has been upgraded with bloom effects, textures have been made crisper, effects are much more "explosive", and the detail in the levels has been improved. The result is a much more captivating experience, with a slight increase in demands on the PC.
The sound is excellent, the main improvement being the weapon sounds. They sound extremely powerful; the end result is the action seeming much more intense than BF2. Additionally the music is good, although not something I will be listening to for my leisure listening. To add to the audio ecstasy, BF 2142 supports EAX 5.0, x-fi and uses audio hardware to its fullest to create 3d sounds that really add to the game.
On a side note, the in game advertising has caused quite an uproar. I initially was skeptical of this as well. Apparently the adware in the game only uses your ip to determine your location to bring relevant ads. And it is all self contained within the BF2 .exe, so there will be no adware running while you aren't playing. And so far, I have only seen a Intel Core 2 duo ad, which isnt very intrusive, as the ad looked worn and destroyed, as if it was a remnant of the pre-war period. Either way, it isn't as bad as I thought it would be, nor it is a welcome addition.
Overall, this game is excellent and superior to BF2 in almost every aspect. However, I do not believe that the new features are enough to warrant the purchase of this game if you own BF2 and are only a mild fan of it. But for newcomers to the series, look no further. This is a great game, and most people who purchase this will not be dissapointed.