It's only $21 at GMG right now so it wouldn't take much time to get my moneys worth. Still the Steam reviews are mixed at best. Is it easy to join a group? I assume lone wolf play doesn't cut it. Is voice chat built in? Thanks.
Voice chat is built in, but with different channels. If you are a basic player in a section you have section (B) and local (V). I'm not sure if you can go to (G) command. To join a group you select a section in the spawn/entry screen and then get a loadout (try to pick something you have studied up on -- MGs and rifles are easy, mortars, tanks, sappers and so on require more work to master).
Once you are in a section, your section-mates are green on the map (M to see map, N to zoom). You can check on the situation on the map before you decide where to spawn -- also your section leader/sergeant may suggest something (as in "Take the Bren and spawn at the MSP south of the objective")...also they may bug you as in "Do you have a mic?" but that's less common these days. Test your mic before you go into the game. You can type in the game but people are pretty perfunctory about kicking people who can't be heard.
I'm often on about 10:30 to 11:30 pm as "Lance Corporal Brown" and I'll help if i can.
Let's see...how not to get shot...There are several dangerous moments in the game: 1) spawning at an MSP or FOB that is know to the enemy 2) moving in or out of an objective while it is active or shortly thereafter (the aftermath can be very dangerous because your own sides coordinated forces have moved on and the enemy's stragglers are pretty trigger happy. 3) anywhere near artillery or mortar or airstrikes of either side Other than that, if you stay close to your section mates you get protection and medical services and warnings about enemies and friendly fire so assaulting or holding an objective can be a lot safer than trying to get from a spawn point to an objective. But there are plenty of other strategies for surviving. I like driving around in Bren gun carriers or halftracks -- a little armor goes a long way.
What are some safe places? The main base is totally safe so you can spawn there and take a bren gun carrier for a tour. Those have gotten more popular so you may just have to walk -- but if you learn to use your canteen, you can jog for many kilometers and see the sights and probably not get shot.