all that building looks like the worst possible game experience
First this is a end game simulation, they are in a specific mode where material to build are given plenty, it's more limited in a real game, so it's a training basically.
Hi skill ceiling don't mean you need to reach that skill ceiling, game is fun with basic version of that, but yeah it's the equivalent of streetfighter 3 parry system, a highly defensive system but this time on a timer (material consumption). It's easy to be overwhelm watching hi level play in that game, but at least it's less esoteric than a moba that require knowledge of the game to be able to follow.
But the thruth, aside from reaction time it's not that hard in concept, like fighting game it's like a lot of anticipation and faking, expect now you must think in 3d with sound to help you. Basically shoot then build to protect yourself, think about escape routes and how to block your opponent escape's, try having a better line of sight, on top of reload/heal cooldown. There is only 3 concepts, positioning, blocking and firing.
No ability, no nonsense asymmetry. A lot of built part are actually redundant to provide better protection, they look complex by virtue of adding some noise especially at the fast pace they are made, but then even the speed is just "kata", ie you learn the pattern and apply it, which is like knowing your move in a fighting game, expect more organic. It's basically a simple high speed game of checkers. And the principle are simple enough anyone can come with their own variants, and how you trade off defense vs mobility vs offense.
Also while building fight are spectacular, it's only for two high engagement player, you can negate building by staying at some distance and favoring explosive weapon. SO you don't even have to engage in that and it might not impact you as much as this video sensationalize, also these kind of build fight are a specific way to train for the game, so it's artificially constrained by house rules, like no explosive, no destroying of the build fundation, and you start with given position (opposite ramps)
THe surprising thing is that the game is still friendly to noob, being a multiplayer survival game and not a race to kills, where you can have the upper hand on a pro gamer if he just out of a difficult battle, he might be low on health and mat and can't really retaliate, especially if you have a good long line of sight with a sniper. Which mean a noob can actually finish first or at least score high. So why the game hasn't crumble into unfairness? well because it's a balance of high risk vs low risk. And the progression arc of most player is to start from low risk to high risk organically:
1. you start being the prey, you have no idea how the game works and you walk in the vast field where people can see you from miles with little to no protection.
2. then you evolve to the scrappy cowards, you understand line of sight, where are the hotspot of battle, how to hide and how to move in an open field without dying. You also have the basic rudiment of building which allow you build cover to escape any attempt at firing against you. Or just using ramp to navigate around teh world seamlessly.
3. then you become assassin's creed, no skilled enough for direct engagement, but all that time cowering in the shadow and avoiding exposition taught you to be a ninja, so now you are either a scavenger, picking on people who just barely escape fight, or an assassin's trailing a victim to kill him without him noticing. You also start to seek high altitude place and favor long distance weapon.
4. The shooter, you are way more confident in your skill practice being an assassin so you start going toe on toe with people in direct engagement, when you met the pro builder you start using the age old tactics of hit and run, building are highly local and defensive, just move away to reset the whole shenanigans, which also deplete the mat of the opponent and give you time to switch into silent assassin when they turtle in their build. You mostly stay into mid range engagement to maximize shooting and minimize building. You cycle between shootgun for close contact, and smg and AR for midrange.
5. The basic builder. You start using building in fight in a rudimentary way, just the basics, four wall for protection, a 3 high tower for surveying and long distance engagement, you move then set up camps in the middle of nowhere to rest, you use ramp to position yourself above your opponent to get best luck at headshot. You learn the various ramp pattern and ramp mind game to trick your opponent. You start to do a basic shoo, build, reposition pattern.
6. The pro builder, you fear nothing no more, you go high engament at any distance and know how to build fight, you stock on mat and shield potion, and cycle between explosive, sniper, smg/ar and shootguns. You are constantly moving from target to target and have a high spatial awareness, any surprise shoots fired at you will quickly be met by a huge defensive structure so you can survey and retaliate.
The thing is that if you get past level 1, you have chance to win the game or to cut above the average fold, and in a satisfying way. You are never so distanced that the game feel like onesided.
BY the way if you want to be truly horrified watch this tournament finals:
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