I've found myself enjoying Battlefield 3 a TON for the obvious reasons that the OP have stated. Despite its bugs and slight imbalances, I'm sure DICE will prove to be able continue improving the game as per usual (despite what EA thinks).
I've also been enjoying Tribes: Ascend a TON. Granted, the game has too many hitscan weapons in a game where hitscan shouldn't be used and it's class-loadout-preset based, and it isn't what those "hardcore T1-T2(-T:V) vets (granted, I am one too)", I can enjoy the game for what it is, especially with how the game industry is working right now.