Summary
There used to be a time when I’d look forward to jumping into a multiplayer game, either alone or with friends. However, I’m sticking to co-op content and single-player games these days.
Competitive Multiplayer Has Me Down
I’ve spent a lot of my time playing competitive multiplayer games. Whether it’sApex Legends, Warframe, DotA 2, League of Legends, or a dozen other titles, I’ve been consistently playing these with a few breaks here and there for the last decade. In that time, I’ve realized that these games had changed from being something I looked forward to into something I suffer to enjoy (or, maybe, enjoy to suffer?).
It’s not that the games are bad. These are high-quality titles with incredible polish, and each is excellent in its own way (or else I probably wouldn’t still be playing them). No, it’s more about the people I play these games with or against that highlight the worst parts of these communities.
One of the things that made me realize that player vs. environment (PvE) and single-player are better for me happened while I was “pubbing” (climbing the public ranked ladder) inDotA 2. I’ve been playing this game since it was in open beta, and even so, getting caught in “Elo Hell” (where you feel like you should be winning a lot more than you should) was a nightmare of toxicity. Some companies areusing AI to help with gamer toxicity, andDotA 2is a title that could benefit from that.
Now, granted, I love a few things about multiplayer gaming. Being able to load into a game with some friends and blow off some steam is one of the best feelings there is. However, ranked gaming has become gaming-as-a-service, meaning that player satisfaction isn’t the mark of success it once used to be.
Farming for Fun Is Now Frustrating
Games are supposed to help us unwind. Yes, eventhe most frustrating games you can playplay a role in relaxation. However, it’s an entirely different thing when those games are designed to be consistently frustrating. When I was pubbing for fun, I used to look forward to each new release because they’d change things a little and allow for fresh ways to play the game.
While this is still largely true, the amount of time I can spend on these games has dwindled. With so many other things calling for my attention, I can’t dedicate an entire evening (or five) to learning a new meta when it comes out. My buddies have their own lives and responsibilities, meaning I no longer have a dependable team to play with.
So, I’m left training in unranked play for a fraction of the time the game developers want a player to train for before jumping into ranked. While this might be the best way for some people to play the game, it’s just not something I can do anymore.
Naturally, after some time, burnout sets in, and I have to look back at what I’m playing these games for. I used to enjoy them, and ranking up was fun. But getting stuck in a game with mechanics that I don’t fully understand, or with teammates yelling at me (or teammates I want to yell at), doesn’t do much to help me relax. If anything, it makes me more anxious. And I’d probably still be doing this if I hadn’t decided to dive into a single-player game.
What Single-Player Games Get Right
When most of your time is spent grinding for ranks in a multiplayer game, you forget the simpler things in life, like exploring the world around you. When I gotTears of the Kingdomfor the Switch, it was years since I’d tried a single-player experience. Still, it’sThe Legend of Zelda, so Ihadto try it out, and it reminded me of all the things that single-player games get right.
For the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel the need to get things done immediately. I didn’t feel like every second was life or death or that seeing an enemy first was crucial. I could take my time, at my own pace, and explore the world around me. And since this was aZeldagame, there was a lot to explore and notoxic multiplayer chattermade me feel more confident in my judgment.
Don’t get me wrong; there are some significant downsides to being stuck in a single-player universe. One is being unable to share the story with a friend directly. I could always record a video and share it with my friends, but that’s not the same as exploring a story with them. I appreciate the detail, and storytelling, the pacing, and the lore, but being able to do all that with a friend in tow would make it ideal.
Meeting In The Middle
Are there any games that offer the deep story of a single-player world, along with well-designed lore and a fun multiplayer experience that doesn’t rely on ranked? One of the first games I tried like that wasMonster Hunter: Rise, which wasn’t disappointing in the least. Even a pick-up group of hunters will try to support the weakest player in the group and offer them some advice.
And that’s not to say thatMonster Hunter: Riseis easy. Some of the later fights can be frustratingly hard. However, you find itmuch easier to laugh with your friendswhen you get “carted” than swear at your teammates and the enemy team when you get killed in a ranked game likeDotA 2.
So yes, it turns out PvE games are my sweet spot. I can hang out with friends in a non-toxic environment, working toward a greater goal, experiencing story and epic clutch moments in a social setting. I’m hooked.
I’d Give Ranked Multiplayer a Second Shot…
WhenMarvel Rivalscame out, I decided to give it a shotand was pleasantly surprised that it didn’t suck. I’ve dropped off most of the ranked games I used to play, butRivalsseems like it might be fun to rank up with. Until they start releasing balance patches, new heroes, and meta-changing abilities, of course.
For me, the best way to avoid hitting burnout with ranked games is to try a few PvE and single-player titles in between, with or without friends. For now, I’ll stick to these titles for the near future, but I’m willing to see if ranked multiplayer gets more enjoyable with a game I enjoy.
