I picked up Ghost Recon Phantoms again since I'm a big fan of the series. People tend to say it's pay-to-win thanks to some of the higher tier weaponry available exclusively via microtransactions, but I disagree. For one thing, the stat boosts on those guns are minor; like, edging on negligible. The biggest reason you would want the things is for the vanity options like barrel wraps(?) and the like.
Which brings me to the second thing. Equipment comes second to strategy in that game anyways. Given that it's a tactical third person shooter (it's a Ghost Recon game, damn it), smart movement and good use of class abilities will trump weapon damage differentials any day. Unless you're trying to snipe with the starting M24. That thing blows.
I get that it's Ubisoft and they have a reputation for shitty business models, but I feel like people are using that as an excuse here.