I'm also really p.o.'d at the recent of abundance of games that are "only good online." If I wanted to interact with people, I'd go outside, maybe play some tennis or hockey. I might actually have fun. Video games have advanced beyond the inconvenience of having to find someone to play it with. That's why they were invented. What was the first major advancement of pong? Being able to play it at home by yourself. It's like saying masturbation's only enjoyable if you do it with a group of buddies. The second you introduce more people into the fold, it's no longer masturbation, just sex.
Likewise, online play is really swayed by the fact that you play with people you like. I swear I've read reviews that said Borderlands is much more fun with 3 friends who know what they're doing. Well yeah, everything is more fun with people you like. School, work, root canal, driving, sleeping, eating, going to the movies... doesn't make it any better in of itself just because you personally had a good time.
"You know, I really dug New Moon."
"Really, that movie was crap!"
"Yeah, well you didn't see it at the midnight release with dozens of screaming fans and then get laid afterwards by six different women because you were the only eligible male present."
"Oh, I guess I'll have to watch it again some time."