You can still try to enjoy the game as a f2p. I know I do. I've spent very little on the game, I've had a break for 3 months, returned to the game, invested in the right toons by sheer luck and can be in top both arena's every day (by top I mean first place). Havent spent anything for a long long time. I don't have Malak, and I can win every GA match (lost only once so far).
I'm not in your GP bracket for sure, but I'm quite enjoying the game. As always with such new content, this is a transition time and I'm sure You are aware of that. I also foresee, that relics will kill the game...but we need to see where this goes. Certainly day one is not enough time to make an opinion.