Actually you don't HAVE TO pay in every F2P in order to get the best bonuses etc. Maplestory has a very fair system where cash shop items are mainly clothing and lottery for items. Yes, you can buy 2x exp and drop cards, but the game also has a family system serving the same purpose and being available to everyone. Without paying anything I reached LV119, all it takes is a good party and a free map (as far as damage and equips go, my build was cheap so my chances at upgrading were better, leading to some +6 equips (max is 7) with 5 30% attempts,which is colour-coded godly, leading to very decent damage
).