This game is great in so many ways, but it's ruined by it's developers.

I've been playing it for about 8 years now, got it first before it was even on Steam. Just entering tier 5 tanks, yet to enter tier 5 planes anywhere. If you don't buy premium you'll be stuck in the endless grind loop. Maybe after a month of casual playing you will be able to unlock a new vehicle, then you'll have to spend another two weeks trying to get the modifications that make it any good and not underpowered like all vehicles start out.

Premium reduces the grind to a playable level but I don't want to buy premium for a free game, especially when it's so expensive. Gaijin doesn't update the game in any meaningful way, just adding more premium vehicles for people to throw money at. The gameplay has remained the same since the games release pretty much, with improvements here and there, but you'll still end up playing the same gamemodes from years ago, over and over again.

I think the real problem here is, War Thunder has a monopoly on this niche of games, as it is the only game of it's kind, and Gaijin realizes that they can keep milking their fans out of their money because there are no other competitors. Shame on Gaijin.

This game is great in so many ways, but it's ruined by it's developers. I've been playing it for about 8 years now, got it first before it was even on Steam. Just entering tier 5 tanks, yet to enter tier 5 planes anywhere. If you don't buy premium you'll be stuck in the endless grind loop. Maybe after a month of casual playing you will be able to unlock a new vehicle, then you'll have to spend another two weeks trying to get the modifications that make it any good and not underpowered like all vehicles start out. Premium reduces the grind to a playable level but I don't want to buy premium for a free game, especially when it's so expensive. Gaijin doesn't update the game in any meaningful way, just adding more premium vehicles for people to throw money at. The gameplay has remained the same since the games release pretty much, with improvements here and there, but you'll still end up playing the same gamemodes from years ago, over and over again. I think the real problem here is, War Thunder has a monopoly on this niche of games, as it is the only game of it's kind, and Gaijin realizes that they can keep milking their fans out of their money because there are no other competitors. Shame on Gaijin.