Suggestion: Add special effects to higher tier/level items - HP/Energy steal, incresed droprates for items/scrap/caps/hydrogen, decreased cooldown for skills, +% to stats...
Actually the visual glitch with the conquered countries shows up the moment you conquer The Grey Isles, even if you haven't beaten all the others yet...
I had no problem beating the game without spending any real money OR crystals... no, I think I used three crystals, for missions (crafting and upgrading)...
It could happen. LOL