I started in BF2.
BF to me was a game I could join and do something different every time. some rounds i could just explore the map and find those cool spots to snipe from or hide behind enemy lines so my squad could spawn on me.
I could lone wolf it and just go have my own fun, or join a squad and we could all be different classes, try to work as a team capping or defending points. I loved having the power to join squads that were serious about working as a team, and being able to remove people who didnt.
I could hop around to different servers and try different game modes people had set up. infantry only, maps reduced down from the 64 experience to maybe 32 or 20. knife and paddles only servers were fun to.
some rounds i could just try to be the commander and spot players, give orders, drop supplies and try to coordinate these random people to a victory. yeah not everybody follows the orders, but when you find squads that do its great fun.
Participating in the ladders people set up for friendly competition was extremely fun, my friends and I use to do 12 v 12 Titan ladder matchs in 2142, then a euro league with a 32 v 32 season that was just great fun...
thousands of hours i have enjoyed in the BF franchise,
but im glad i didnt buy the new one i think i would just be upset and begging for a refund instead of having fun.