Played for 4 years, Spent about $400, which is actually less than any subscription or buying a AAA every other month. Lots of good options for those who work / family / School / real Life (Afk activities to keep you up with no lifers).
Has some P2W if your focus is best weapons and armor, what you should know is you don't actually even need a weapon or armor AT ALL as it's sandbox you could milk cows, grow crops, raise horses, sail the seas, cook foods for others, alchemy, do trade runs, explore, run around in underwears, you gro and create your own endgame IN THE GARDEN OF YOUR MIND
also every online game I ever played is P2W (Wow, Path of Exile, Warframe) yup they ALL ARE