Ive been playing it a bit more, and IMO, it is definently a step up from previous UTs in terms of gameplay, even if it isnt, it FEELS faster (which could have something to do with the slightly compressed maps) and while ive been sticking to DM so far to get back into "slam the space bar repeatedly while firing rockets at shit" frame of mind, the little bit of experience I had in my limited SP experience, the vehicles feel as tight as they did previously (meaning, a super fast buggy feels like a super fast buggy, a big fuck off truck feels like a big fuck off truck, etc.) In my ever so humble opinion, the UT series has always smoked everyone, at all times in terms of playable DM and CTF, Onslaught/Warfare I found a welcome addition to gameplay, and think, in terms of a PLAYABLE non-bajillion mile across map, UT pulls it off very very well.
CS may be the big daddy of PC FPS, but Ive honestly always had more FUN with the UT games. Plus, the huge modding community and mutator community make it endlessly playable.
IF THEY DIDNT COMPLETELY FUCK OVER THE FUCKING PERFECT INTERFACE.
A side note:
Where the fuck did Assault and Bombing Run go? I know not a lot of people played either, but both had a very unique challenge, and bombing run made translocator hopping into a fucking art form.
A second side note:
The new Deck 17 is the most perfect DM/TDM map ever created. Also, I love the fact that the rocket launcher can dump grenades again.