- PvP games constantly evolving can overwhelm players who can’t keep up.
- The often non-existent stories in PvP games are unappealing compared to single-player narratives.
- PvP games’ unpredictability and endless cycles can be frustrating, unlike single-player games, which offer a complete experience.
Since gaming has been taken seriously, many releases have centred on multiplayer experiences. Though these settings can be super fun for some, they can be infinitely annoying for others. This article will explain the main reasons I and many others don’t like PvP games.
A Bit Of Backstory
My gaming journey began with old Nintendo games on my browser. The first modern games I played were CS: GO and Fortnite, with Fortnite being my main focus around 2020, though I never excelled at it.
After struggling with Fortnite, I switched to Valorant. Initially refreshing, the team dependency and my poor aim (being left-handed without a left-handed mouse) led to burnout after 8 months. I then took a long break from gaming.
Now, I enjoy single-player games, particularly Metroidvanias and Souls-likes, and have been much happier ever since.
PvP Isn’t For Everyone
The following sections will list some of my personal gripes with PvP games and why I much prefer single-player experiences.
Keeping Up
PvP games constantly evolve with new content and techniques. While this keeps dedicated players engaged, it can overwhelm those who lack time or interest in keeping up.
This would be fine if it was just another way to make your gameplay more interesting, but not keeping up makes the game much worse for the player because they get outplayed by those who do.
This isn’t an issue in single-player games. You could buy a game and play it all the way through without seeing a single ounce of content on it. You are free to play the game however you like, and you might even be rewarded for playing this way.
Lack Of Story
Although I enjoy games with vague narratives, the often non-existent stories in most PvP games are unappealing. These stories often feel made up on the spot.
I don’t need detailed story markers or dialogue to stay engaged; I prefer the Souls series’ environmental storytelling, which still provides clear objectives to drive the game forward.
Though these modes have some lore of why you’re endlessly fighting, it’s just that, an endless fight with no escape, which is a good way to transition into the next point.
Endlessness
Imagine playing Valorant late at night. You’re stuck in a losing streak, but you keep playing to avoid ending up in a loss. Finally, you win, and the excitement replaces your previous dread of playing another game. This cycle is common in PvP games, leading players to either switch games or quit altogether eventually.
Single-player games, on the other hand, offer a complete experience from start to finish. Features like New Game+ enhance replayability, but even one playthrough is enough to get your money’s worth.
PvP games’ constant evolution means that taking a break can make it hard to come back and enjoy them, as you might feel “washed” and struggle to keep up, which can be very frustrating. On the other hand, if you wanna dive into a single-player game again, you usually need only a small time frame to recall your muscle memory, and you’re good to go.
Frustratingly Difficult
We love challenging games but draw the line at frustrating difficulty. Multiplayer games can be unpredictable, with some encounters feeling too easy or impossibly hard, especially with added RNG, making losses frustrating.
Single-player games, even the hard ones, are based on patterns. Your opponents are AIs, which can be learnt and mastered. On the other hand, you can never master a PvP game with every opponent’s playstyle.
All the points discussed above also contribute to making a game feel frustratingly difficult and almost impossible to be good at times.
Preferences
My dislike for PvP games applies to a small subset of people. Most gamers love multiplayer games; in 2023, out of 3 billion gamers worldwide, 1.17 billion played online, according to the Academy of Animated Arts.
Single-player games are like art, while PvP games resemble sports, appealing to many. PvP games have significantly benefited the industry and players, and everyone should try them before forming a preference.
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Moiz Banoori, with a decade of experience in gaming and tech journalism and a degree in journalism, is a notable figure in the industry. He has contributed to various esteemed platforms, showcasing his expertise in both reporting and opinion writing.
