But energy isn't tied at all to premium currency. The starter pack has some water in it, sure, but the vast majority of your energy is going to come from on-site activities like Campaign (the equivalent of the coli), Farming, Fishing, and Cooking (turning raw food into processed food). It's not at all like a mobile game.

I'm also not sure where you're seeing limited time exclusive cash-only items either. Outside of kickstarter items (which: spoiler -- FR set the model for and LW only copied FR), there doesn't seem to be anything limited on LW, and anything for cash can be purchased through earning the premium currency on site.