I've just bought this game on GOG (but I've been playing on other platforms before) and it seems online play is at the mercy of RNGsus. I'd prefer playing online but perhaps offline would give me a much smoother experience. Anyone else on the same boat?

I don't have this kind of issue. I can play online just fine as long as I run the game through Galaxy.
I have issues with Rift menus working being RNGesus and not receiving/sending Pawn rent - it's not a RNGsus, it's reliably not working ;)

Me and buddy tested this and had somewhat success making it work with releasing Pawns while being both in-game at the same time.

Hi,

As of today, the online works well, by default it is deactivated, it must be activated in the options within the game. Once activated, it leaves you the options of private, friends or public, I recommend public.

Greetings