7 Lag/Timeout Xbox reboots from the time I put it in, but one heck of a game if you can get on to a good server.
I found the game to be emmensely satisfying and full of fun and excitement....when I wasn't lagging/ timeing out. Trust me I'm an experienced online gamer from the days of DOS and Duke Nukem so I know it wasn't my cable connection. Thankfully EA put out on the games ticker below the server choice screen that they were aware of the problems and were addressing them; top ranked players names could be found on the ticker as well. I could not find a way to disable the ticker like in other EA titles. I found that they did for the most part as the first day was a frustrating attempt at trying to stay connected. The maps overall are well balanced and each kit is even more balanced. From the assault kit to the sniper, no vehicle can decimate a soldier without a realtively fair fight and good tactics. I might argue that it is almost too easy to take out vehicles, but that is for another post. The combat is fast and furious and you will die early and easily if you play that way. This game certainly calls for team tactics in order to win a round/map. If you have played any of the Battlefield games online, then you know what to expect. Rapid deployments to flag spots, furious fire fights over such flags, and then the rest of the time attacking and defending said sites. The difference is when an excellent team or group of players shows up who know how to work togther. Not everyone jumps on the sniper bandwagon and each person knows their role. The enemy detection takes place a bit early but that is ok and leads to quicker fire fights. The gui showing a target hit is reminescent of the computer series as well. You basicall know when you hit and when you miss...no guessing on how good of a shot you are.
Vehicular control from the 3rd person perspective reminds me of the GTA series as far as the controls go...it works fine for a game but not indicitive of a simulator. The copter controls are nice, they allow you to fly with computer aide or with no help at all. Chopper jockeys can really get their groove on after they master the controls, but with all the ways a lowly grunt can destroy vehicles, don't anticipate being hostile and agile in the air for very long.
What makes this clan aspect of the game even more enjoyable is the online scoring system and battlefield plan set. Thats right you can go on line and drool over yourself or create tactics for each map using little icons and a top down view of the map, and plan out how your clan will take the map. Then when you are finished, you can email out your plans to all of your squadmates. A very team oriented feature to say the least.
On the other hand, you can replay your last battle to see how you did on a particular map, or better yet, how your clan of 12 did on the map. You can replay in slow motion or real time and you can choose whose icon is on the map and whose isn't. A very nice reveiw feature from the game designers.
So to summarize, the BF2:MC is a very well designed multiplayer game that most will feel comfortable playing and with the right server and the right group of people, you should plan on spending a lot of time enjoying this title. Oh and btw, it should become the Halo Killer of our age.