Agree with all points made by the op, alongside one thing.

For me it is clear that the devs didn't think that their game would have any success to an audience older than 15.

Let's see :

1) The ladder.2000 Points are grindy.VERY grindy.As an example, I can finish the ladder in one day (as I did this time) with shiftry, 7 days of being in vacation (Christmas ladder) with something relatively ok (Manectric Bats) oooor many more with anything not taken from the competitive scene.This is a LOT of time for something intented to be played casualy.

2) Gem system.Decks and stuff are very Expensive, I get it.My problem tho would be the in game economy balance.I see many people not satisfied by the gem system, but I dont see them crying every time they abused it in the past getting SR UB or the likes with 3 Jirachi promos, just because all stuff from Gems are unlocked.

With a rough estimate, ST UB is 0.28 (per pack,say rs) *220 (low - ok offer) = 61.6 dollars. The price for the bundle was around what 300ish gems? Thats about what, 12$?Not to mention how much the average player has to work every day in the market.This and the lack of a proper in-game shop for $$$ in normal for a DIGITAL purchace price promotes black market tactics for codes/items/w.e.

3) The complete removal of whatever was old.You're giving us a format for old sets only, without the old sets.So, if I wanted to play Legacy I'd either have to completely ignore everything irl to farm to get cards such as primes etc, which tend to be VERY EXPENSIVE and largely manipulated in the market ooor be someone who plays since it all was a browser game.Guess who won't be playing legacy I guess.