This takes a while for new players to catch, but pokemmo is waay different that what normal pokemon is about. its what i like to call. Pokemmo Gen ?.
Everything from Random Trainer to Gym Trainers to League Members got an above average skill raise. So to play it can caught off-guard those who just wants to play it casual like any other pokemon game.
at least in my opinion.
as for the pay to win title, game only have cosmetics as something you can pay with real money, but if you farm enough you'll can buy RP which can buy em too.
game got nothing beneficial from buying with real money that isnt already accesible to free player (to put it that way).