UE2 Runtime is NOT designed for begineers or for those who wish to design games simply because it doesn't have the structure for it. You will have to do a lot of work to get a decent game basis up. It is after all just the raw engine.
I suggest you mod UT2004 or another Unreal based game, since a lot of the neccessary game code is there for you to base a lot of the work on.
http://wiki.beyondunreal.com
http://udn.epicgames.com
Those two sites have a lot of information about Unreal engine, but more geared for the UT series in terms of editing etc. Several parts of the UDN is locked for licensee's only.
I won't debat the whole 'can't make games' issue with UE2 Runtime, but the fact of the matter remains is that you aren't allowed to distribute free games with UE2 Runtime else Epic will not be happy and most likely just close down the UE2 Runtime and no longer provide the public with Unreal Engine Runtimes anymore, so for the sake of it... don't.
Having a few friends isn't enough, are they and you competent in using 3D/2D creation toolsets, UED 3.0 and Unrealscripting? If not, then I strongly suggest you to make a mod, as experience and knowledge in all these fields are really, really required for a task this large.
That's my 2 cents for now.