Because I know how much you people hate to read, I made it easier
Hahaha, I can't disagree about victory usually being determined within the first 30 seconds, for certain maps. For me, ZE is only thrilling with friends. Reliable people who can hurdle the obstacles, set the triggers, know when/how to hold, where to aim, when to shoot, and will fight tooth and nail for every inch of ground. Hey, I'm a very demanding person. I won't play if you won't pitch in some good effort to hold your ground. Got some good work in earlier on Aperture: aNex, myself, and 8-12 others brought home the black forest cake for the humans to end the map.
I prefer ZM much better because I can simply relax. Much less team-oriented. Yes, in a way, I prefer the paradoxical Zombie Mod game play. If I'm not being followed or headed to a popular destination, there's a fairly high chance that I can get a barricade all to myself. Only time I enjoy having company in my barricade/secret is if he's/she's a friend or an obedient player that doesn't fidget too much. Even if they don't touch the cade, I get really worried when they're hopping on and off me or the barricade, walking close to the entrance and teasing the zombies, not paying attention in general, even leaving the barricade... otherwise, I can relax, talk, and joke behind my asshole of a barricade. Something that I can't do on the run. Enough good company, and we can rack in loads of kills and lawls. Too much company, and the higher chance one of them is a troll or confused, and less kills to split among everyone, if we can manage to get settled for the killing. I hate asking people if they can let me build the barricade. They're usually unresponsive, stubborn, or make it really difficult to undo their actions quickly. Ain't nobody got the time to type and explain that the barricade is flawed, them zombies are coming. I should let them learn, but I don't really want to die lol. Same way with secrets. Oh, how I love them. Just kick back and relax for 5 minutes. If you're found, GG, let's eat some brains. If not, you end the round with a smirk. Who doesn't get amused by making other people just slightly irritated? xD
Pretty much, playing with friends is the way to go, and I'd much rather do it on ZM instead of ZE. :3
.....Although I will make several exceptions. Crappy maps that have glitchy/no props, weak cades, or maps with overused secrets. It bugs me to hell when someone finds me because of a Youtube video. Sharing with friends or deciphering them in single player has a lot more pride and fun than a google search. Oh, and another exception is when people are hounding me for my map knowledge. Until you give up/disconnect, we can play ZE all fucking day! Translation: I have no shame in admitting that I like playing maps with OP barricades/secrets, although I sarcastically bash everyone, including myself, for it