The bottom portion of the screen is used to send and recieve messages either from the AI controlled teams, or other players. The keyboard only mode is extremely difficult to use, mainly due to the required keys being so far apart on the keyboard. I play guitar, and I still have problems with that combination. Most of the buildings and structures look very good, even at close ranges. Vehicles have a pasted on, blocky, exaggerated look to them at close range, but look fair from a distance.
Most vehicles seem to hover slightly above the ground that they move over.
Movement of figures across the players field of view is discernible, but scopes or binocular mode must be used to pinpoint anything beyond 250m. Stairs look rather shabby, and appear more as 2D ramp surfaces than actual stairs. Which brings me to another sore point. No, the Soapbox will not make a reappearance. The AI in this game is both very well done, and extremely poor.