I’m only going to speak for my own playstyle…I’ve really only ever played as a single-player game, following the linear storyline for the most part. Once you hit endgame, there are 5-player team-up events to participate in, and things like that.

The bottom line for me is that it’s not a difficult game to play, the PvP scene is basically non-existent, and there’s not really a lot of incentive to get really grindy with it unless you’re really a “make the numbers go up” kind of person. The game provides opportunities throughout the year to earn things through gameplay that would otherwise be locked behing IRL currency.

I have spent maybe $10 on the game in the last several years, and even that was more because I was bored more than out of “necessity.” That said, I bought a Lifetime Subscription in 2010 that gives me the equivalent of a $5 store credit each month, so I have the means to occasionally “buy” things without spending any money.

Lastly…it’s an old game. The gameplay is, by all accounts, pretty dated. But for the price of $0, it’s a pretty enjoyable Star Trek sandbox to play in.