Is it worth trying to learn? For context, I come from a Counterstrike and Battlefield background rather than Quake and Team fortress.
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I think it is, but I'm biased.
Given the game has been going for so long and how large the hero roster is , the learning curve around how to navigate all the various strategies and hero counters would be huge for someone new, but ultimately i think the gameplay is rewarding. You get toxicity like in any online competitive game, but you can mute people in both voice and chat. But being a game based on teamwork, you may miss important calls, SO I've just learned to ignore the toxic players while still communicating.
The heroes are all unique, there's the holy trinity of roles (Tanks, dps and healer/support) and the mix of high skill level vs low skill characters is good. I think the challenge for most people is sticking with it long enough to find what they like most. I can play all roles proficiently but to varying degrees depending on hero.
If you do give it a go, I'd highly recommend giving it time and watching some videos on the basics of the characters. While the concepts of capping points, or escorting objectives are not going to be new to you, the way in which the game is played is pretty unique. There's a lot going on and you have to have a bit of an idea of what all the characters can do to be able to get in the swing.
I think the match making is good and while you progress an account through to level 25 (which is the threshold before you can enter ranked games), you'll be able able to play like a complete noob without too much friction from other players. You could easily get the core gameplay and experience all the maps and characters several times in this time. The unranked games are generally well matched too, so you'll be playing with other noobs while you all figure it out. Before you know it, you're getting the adrenaline rushes and dopamine hits competitive games are good for.
The world, characters, interactions and lore is well developed if thats your thing. The cartooney nature of it puts some people off, but the core gameplay is not childs play - its a well throughout team based brawler/shooter with a huge variety of possibilities. Its what keeps me going back.