I think you have to look at Freemium games as throw away games, a bit.
Nobody paying up front for a game leads to a certain quality of a game. Good for free, trash by comparison to a $60 release game.
Vanity purchases, loot box systems etc. maybe good for making money for a company, but for a player, it's leads to a disposable, one use, experience.
Sort of like when you go to McDonald's, you're looking for a cheap burger. I mean, it tastes good, salty, greasy, etc. People go that's how they make money. But you'd never ever call a McDonald's burger the best. They're not even average.
This game is like a McBattle Royal. It's got two weeny pickles, a slice of greasy, cooked, pink slime, and buns that chew almost like gum. But it's yummy just for the moment you eat it...while its hot.