So, I've changed this review a handful of times based my current feelings toward the game, and my vote keeps going from one way to the other.
I've played for about 4k hours and 12 years at the time of this current revision (10/31/22), and at this point I can once again say I recommend trying this game. Despite total lack of developer support, the community is as strong as it has ever been. There has never been and probably never will be a game quite like TF2. From comp to casual to community, there's a little bit of something for everyone. Even old and/or lazy people (it's easy, just play sniper).
However, you must be a pay-to-play account to use any kind of communication with your team (other than nodding/shaking your head/jumping up and down). This is really cringe and bad and so if you're not okay with Valve selling out under the pretense of "fixing the bot crisis" (which they haven't), then you shouldn't play the game.
Also, don't kick people who are playing music. Just mute them (unless they are bots, which ISN'T ALWAYS THE CASE).