You are pretty far in the game. Doing well. Often have top scores among your randomly selected friends. You know all the tricks.
But here you sit, trying to unlock an alternate character outfit, on your 30th consecutive life, hoping and screaming for a good shuffle of pieces that never comes.
You dont have the money to buy the special items that would help you pass this level. Though most of the time the special items go to waste, as far enough in, 4/5ths of all level loads are impossible to win with bad piece shuffles. No matter how hard you play, now matter how calculated your moves, the special pieces never come close enough to swap and give you an edge. Sometimes they never even come.
You know the game is designed to sell more real-money items. Yet you still play. You should be good enough. This is your thing. But you will never be good enough. Yet there is so much more to the game. They add new levels all the time. Theres so many levels you swear you can reach. You can see them right outside your grasp. Surely they are there for you.
The early levels lure you into a false sense of security. You can play through many levels with nary a life wasted. Sometimes you get bad shuffles but they are so rare you arent dissuaded. After all, the game is cute and shiny. The special pieces are inventive and interesting. The mechanic is worth while. Perhaps you are a long time sailor moon fan. The out-of-context snippets of plot make you smile.
But do not be fooled. This is hell. And no matter how skilled you are, how dedicated your game, you will burn like all the rest.
Freemium games: not even once.