Why good progression makes or breaks a mobile RPG

I've bounced off more mobile RPGs than I've finished, and almost always the reason is progression. Not the story, not the combat, but the slow grind of feeling like my character wasn't actually becoming anything.

The games that stick with me, like Emberfall Saga, let you experiment. Being able to respec without penalty turns leveling from a commitment into a conversation with the game. You try a build, it doesn't work, you adjust. That freedom is worth more than any flashy ultimate ability.

On the flip side, the worst offenders gate every meaningful choice behind endless time sinks. By the time you unlock the interesting skills, you've already stopped caring. Respect the player's time and the player stays.

My rough test: can I make a weird build and still clear content? If yes, the game trusts me. If no, it's just asking me to follow a guide, and I'd rather be reading than playing at that point.