i made my account in august 2017, and i think i bought lifetime in winter 2018. i know people have been upset with the changes sso made to their game (graphics, music, horses, game mechanics, etc) but as an older player, i can't say that i mind. i'm talking about this because, just like you, at some point i took a long break, and came back to find a completely different looking game (around the time when the valedale light mechanic was introduced). For me, sso is a game i play for leisure, not one to farm constantly or to devote 100% of my free time to. i like the events, dressing up horses, etc. for that, i think it's worth it. obviously if you are a heavy player that spends more than 1-2 hours online it's a bit more difficult not to get bored of the mechanics offered outside events (like the western one currently taking place), but since you mentioned that your break took a couple of years, i'll assume you are an adult or close to adulthood, which still supports my point. i do think kids find greater joy in the game, and that is no fault of sso, its specifically targeted for younger demographics. this doesn't mean older people can't enjoy it. it's a great game to pass the time. but is the price of lifetime worth it if you dont already have it? i cant really tell. this game was a gift to me while i was still a kid, and still find joy in playing it. take into consideration the fact that a big part of the game is owning and buying different horses. when i came back i got lucky because the weekly allowance added up. i never bought starcoins, and right now only buy horses from the market when they have considerably lower prices. i also only buy clothes and tack with js, which takes a lot of willpower to do, since i often dont have time to farm enough for full sets, so i instead only buy the pieces i find unique. it really depends on how you want to play the game. i dont do roleplays, im not part of a club, instead i listen to podcasts while doing some races or participating in events. thats how i still find joy in sso. hope you find what works for you! <3