This is a giant that is just beginning to wake up....
Combat: The combat system in both SP and MP is excellent. Let's face it. If you play an FPS, you either like to shoot it, kill it, or conquer it by way of violence and aggression. BF3 delivers in all fronts.
Maps: The SP has a variety of areas where you will engage enemies. On the highest difficulty, movements and battle decisions have to be approached slowly and patiently. Indeed, more of this game's SP is appreciated when completing the game in this manner. As for the MP, well, the maps can feel a bit large at times but when the combat engagements occur, nothing I have ever experienced can match it. I will advise a beginner to begin playing in Team Death Match games. In the end, you will appreciate the game much more, when you make your move onto Rush or Conquest.
Experience: If you can forget for a moment that COD exists and admit to yourself that not everything was meant to cater to the lowest common denominator, then you will come away with something truly unique. The game, especially in its MP component, will have you wanting to come back for more. This game was designed with the idea that friends on a given battlefield will make an attempt to coordinate a plan of defense or execute a good plan of attack. So play with friends and take advantage of its communication system to maximize the enjoyment of each battle engagement.
Overall: The game is not perfect. It still has glitches and imperfections here and there that will be ironed out soon, I imagine. Give yourself the opportunity to play something that you and your buddies will talk about fondly at school or at work. Believe me, it does happen, even with grown men.