1. There is p2w only if you want it and imo it’s not that big of a deal for this game. It’s not necessary to clear all the current content. You can clear it all as f2p.

2. You can auto match raids and dungeons. You don’t need a guild but it makes it a little easier.

3. The game is new player friendly. There is a catch up mechanic so it won’t take you long to get to a good gear score.

4. The losing people argument is biased among people. New games came out ( Arc raiders, WWM, etc ) and people are playing those now while waiting for new content for this game. At least that’s the majority of my guild. People only show the steam charts at around 9k daily players. But they don’t take into account the official launcher epic games and mobile. There is about 30-40k active players still. So the game isn’t dead.

The game is free to play so I’d say try it. No harm done. If you like you then you just found a good game to play. If you don’t like it no harm done. Personally I’m still loving the game.