[GhostDog]

Good post Spectre8 - many of TOG are always interested in thoughtful discussion
I think you will find that you are not alone in your thoughts, and that there will be plenty of TOG BF-1942 players for the next season of competition. I agree that BFV has not blown me away like BF'42 initially did. Those early days of playing '42 were just great.

But for me, some elements of the Vietnam game have made a substantial difference in the playing experience compared to BF-1942. The flag capture logic, and the way that the capture timer works, makes for a really enhanced experience when moving into and capturing the control points on the map. The extra information that you can deduce from the timer, and the benefit of having team-mates close at hand, promotes team play.

The combat in the jungle foliage is quite unlike any aspect of 1942, where the cautious and careful player is more likely to survive than the one with the quickest reaction. The mobile spawn points and use of helicopters add a huge strategic depth to the maps that include them.

I quite like the imbalanced approach to the teams and maps. Many of the '42 maps have equal distribution of resources with small differences between them. In BFV, the difference in the capabilities of the vehicles and the soldier classes add an extra dimension of interest, in my opinion. I find myself switching kits all the time during a game, either during my own spawn or by picking up the kits of dead comrades or opponents. There are obviously some tweaks that need to be made to some aspects of the game, but they aren't major in my opinion.

I think that public server play for BFV is not as rewarding as it was for BF-1942 - because voice comms is more essential for effective attacking and defending. I'm hanging out for the competitive games; this is where BFv will relly shine, I think.

Besides all these positive elements, which are to me the biggest differences between '42 and V - the main reason I've switched is because I've played BF42 as my primary game for a year and a half - it's time for me to move on. It's very much 'been there, done that'. I really wish that Road to Rome and Secret Weapons had been free or a heck of a lot cheaper. Those expansions had some amazing maps and new features that I would have enjoyed playing competition games on, and they would have added even more depth to a great game.

As as side note, one surprise for me is how much I enjoy the Vietnam city maps (well, 3 of the 4 versions). Their design is heaps better than Stalingrad or Berlin, which promote endless grenading. Wish they'd done some with a bit more thought for '42.