As the title so proudly proclaims, I’ve played Heartopia for 24 hours, if not longer. In that time, I’ve refined my hobby skills, dabbled in daily quests, and explored all avenues that this game has to offer.
It’s no lie to say I love Heartopia. I log in daily to complete my tasks and build more on my permanently in-progress custom house. There’s a lot I like about this game, but that isn’t necessarily on theme for this feature…
Here, I want to discuss whether Heartopia is P2W and what the future of the game possibly looks like, depending on my perspective.
Before we jump in, this Feature is 100% AI-Free!
Let’s Cut To The Chase – Is Heartopia P2W?
Currently, it isn’t. As of January 22nd, 2026, some weeks post-release and nestled before its first major content update, Heartopia isn’t P2W… For now.
So, what is it?
Heartopia is currently between its release and its first major content update, being the My Little Pony collab. I’m actually really excited for this as someone who loved MLP Gen4 growing up, and still does. I even have my own ponysona called Fishbone.
I know this seems like a random and very specific banner to mention, given that the game released with several of its own custom banners, but it really got me thinking…
Is Heartopia About To Become P2W?
Ok, hear me out.
The banners included at release aren’t tied to any particular fandom. Sure, they’re on theme aesthetically, such as the very trendy Y2K-inspired Coolplayism banner, but they’re overall quite niche.
And, since the release included a ton of free banner currency, most players won’t yet feel the need to buy more. We are complacent, but unsure how to earn additional funds in abundance for future banners.
Like Fortnite, which solely relies on collaborative skins to survive financially, Heartopia will likely take a similar approach. It’ll dangle aesthetic custom skins inspired by trendy franchises to increase their revenue among those keen to complete sets.
Also like Fortnite, Heartopia is F2P, and the cosmetics are optional, but ever so tempting. At least, they are to me…
To understand why this F2P game is masking a secret P2W feature, I should probably explain how banners actually work.
How Banners Work
Banners don’t work in our favour, despite their initial appearance. Your first pull is cheap, and you think, “Awesome! I’m almost guaranteed everything, especially if I pull the speciality item, which will automatically unlock the rest of this set.”
WRONG!
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but each pull will increase in price, gradually becoming so expensive that the gamble is a heavy hit on your finances. The speciality item has an incredibly low pull rate, and worst of all, the game has no pity system.
All of this to say, the generous free banner currency at release makes the gacha seem forgiving. But, I know its dirty secret!
Why Isn’t The Game P2W Currently?
Fortunately, if you’re reading this and playing before the first major content update, you’re safe from P2W envy.
I agree, the current banners are tempting. I even made the effort to unlock the entire Seal set from The Frostguard. But the banners currently aren’t enticing enough.
I’ll be the first to say. Aside from the Coolplayism and Blue Seal Frostguard outfits, I hate the other banners. Even then, I don’t really care about owning all of the Coolplayism, and the only reason I own all of the Seal Frostguard is that seals are one of my favourite animals.
Back on topic. I think the Polar Hymn is ugly. It’s the featured banner and includes three sub-banners: Conductor, Maestro, and Ice Palace. The latter is the first-ever banner related to home furniture.
All of it, ugly. Get it away from me. I know I’m being cold (pardon the pun), but there isn’t a single thing I care for in these featured banners, aside from maybe the Frostfeather Eyepatch that isn’t even one of the featured rewards of either banner.
I truly believe that as the game shifts towards on-trend clothes and furniture, and introduces more mainstream collabs, it’ll also shift away from this early-game period, where the banners feel fun and rewarding because we were so graciously given tons of free currency for them.
Just you wait.
A Gentle Disclaimer
Ok to finish this off, I know Heartopia has to earn revenue somehow. I also know the gacha is entirely cosmetic and offers no game prestige, whether you do or don’t own items from it.
That being said, I don’t think it’s unheard of, or shocking at all, that Heartopia, a gacha, wants to create a system that isn’t forgiving to make players feel compelled to spend.
This entire feature speaks on behalf of my own experiences, and you’re well within your rights to disagree. That said, I know I’ll be spending money on the My Little Pony collab… Will you?
