It's a really good pin....one of Stern's better efforts. Personally I prefer IM and ST over MET but can certainly see the arguments for MET.

I've come to the conclusion that this whole chore (chopping wood) effect is solely based upon each individual's feelings about that particular game.

There are (or where before the big update) a lot of people who feel like playing ST is like chopping wood with all of the repetitive modes. I have never felt that way when playing ST (nor have many others). I have felt that way playing MET (sometimes). To me it starts to feel like "bash this 100x and then bash that 100x.

So really it just boils down to how "you" feel about a particular game. If the rules jive with you and you just "get it" then you'll never have that chopping wood feeling. If the theme or especially the rules don't jive with you then it will start to feel like chopping wood.