There is just as much mix ups and mind games to be had zoning, as their is up close.
You're just percieving it incorrectly.
There's baiting
Spacing
Pressure
Plenty of mind games
And Noob Saibot workable upclose game I mean it's not COMPLETE crap, but it's still crap.
He basically has to rely one 1,2 (and if you naked duck these)
he has to rely on F3,3,3 upknee's and D1, D4's for pressure.
2,1 2,1,2 is ok.
But all of these pressure tools can't lead into a combo. It's just there so you can play moderate footsies, and pressure a bit upclose.
If he had more tricks and gimmicks to land ghost ball I tihnk that would be a key to making him a upclose character.
Sorry you feel cheap playing this way, but it takes great reads and mental fortitude to play him. Even more so than kenshi because Kenshi's attacks are considered physical and can't be reflected by people like Jade/Kratos/Smoke.
I find it incredibly fun to have to try to get in on Noob saibot and Kenshi.
If you look DEEP into how to get in on them and the mind games there. I think you can learn to appreciate it.
And he NEEDS that overhead projectile.
Even with it he's still lower tier. I think if they can just make his portals hit you on the way down as in if they touch you they suck you in. I think he'll be complete as a zoner.
Try fighting really great players as Noob, and You'll see why it takes great reads and reaction to play him.
Of course it'll feel cheap when you fight someone who literally dies to JUST your zoning. But if that's the case, the match is boring because of THEM not you. They can't deal with it because they haven't learned how to yet. Against GREAT players. I've almost never been able to keep them out They normally get in atleast 2 times a round.
For instance I fight a Great Johnny Cage player offline. If I can get him full screen and do my best with mind games I can probably build 1 bar maybe 2 by the time he gets in and deal like 40-50%
But once he's on me Because I don't have armor or anything like that and my best poke is 7 frames and his is 6frames. IT's hard as fuah to get out and he'll do like 60% by the time I get him off me. I get him off me and it's back to attempt to get 40-50%. once in a while I can nail some decent damage upclose with 50/50 set ups. but that's it.
You have to bait jumps, but you can't wait too long if they are walking/dashing in with blocks because then you won't push them back/slow them down and build meter. But you have to be careful because if you start your 50/50 chain they may suddenly jump. So you gotta bait it by delaying your shadow, and hitting them as they fall, or you can try to teleport.
You also have to worry about midscreen when you think they'll jump or not. If I upknee at this point. And JC does EX forceballs or subzero shoots an ice ball.
It's DOOM for Noob saibot.