I still remember the first time I booted up Operation Galuga and realized how stagnant the run-and-gun genre had become. For years, we'd been playing the same formula—limited lives, predictable power-ups, and that frustrating cycle of losing your best weapons after taking a single hit. Then I discovered how 3jili's approach to game mechanics could transform everything. The system they've implemented isn't just another progression mechanic—it's a fundamental rethinking of how risk-reward systems should work in modern gaming. What struck me immediately was how elegantly they've woven player agency into what could have been another straightforward action experience.

Let me walk you through exactly how this system works, because understanding the credit economy is crucial to appreciating 3jili's brilliance. During missions, you earn credits based on the risks you take—playing on higher difficulties might net you 50% more credits per enemy defeated, while enabling one-hit kill mode effectively doubles your potential earnings. I've calculated that playing on the hardest difficulty with all risk modifiers active can yield approximately 2,300 credits per mission compared to the standard 800-900 credits on normal settings. This creates an immediate tension—do you play it safe for consistent progress, or gamble for bigger rewards? I found myself constantly weighing these options, which already made the gameplay more engaging than typical run-and-gun titles.

The real magic happens when you visit the in-game shop. Initially, I was skeptical—microtransactions have ruined many potentially great games. But 3jili's approach is different. The basic upgrades are reasonably priced—expanding your health bar costs just 1,500 credits, extra lives go for 800 each, and starting with a specific weapon ranges from 1,200 to 2,000 credits depending on the weapon's power level. These are accessible enough that you can see tangible progress after just a couple of missions. I purchased the health bar expansion after my second completed mission, and that immediate payoff kept me engaged.

Where the system truly shines, though, is with the premium upgrades. These aren't just incremental improvements—they're genuine game-changers that alter how you approach the entire experience. The first major upgrade I saved for was the automatic weapon enhancement—for 8,500 credits, any weapon you pick up automatically becomes its upgraded version. This single purchase transformed my gameplay dramatically. Suddenly, I wasn't desperately protecting my upgraded spread gun anymore—I could experiment with different weapons, knowing each would be at maximum effectiveness. The freedom this provided cannot be overstated.

My next target was even more ambitious—the 12,000 credit upgrade that lets you keep your upgraded weapon after taking damage. This addressed my biggest frustration with the genre. Previously, one mistimed jump meant losing that precious upgraded weapon you'd worked so hard to obtain. With this perk, the tension shifted from protecting your weapon to strategically managing your health while maintaining offensive capability. I cannot tell you how many times this saved my runs—probably around 15-20 successful mission completions that would have otherwise ended in failure.

The most expensive upgrade—keeping weapons even after death at 15,000 credits—I ultimately decided against. Here's where 3jili's design shows its sophistication: you can only equip two perks simultaneously. This limitation forces meaningful choices that define your playstyle. Do you go for the safety net of keeping weapons after death, or combine the automatic upgrading with damage retention? I settled on the latter combination, which perfectly suited my aggressive playstyle. A friend of mine prefers the death protection combined with extra starting lives—and that's the beauty of the system. It accommodates different approaches without any single combination feeling overwhelmingly superior.

What impressed me most was how these systems transformed Operation Galuga from what could have been another forgettable action title into a deeply engaging experience. The straightforward run-and-gun gameplay remains intact—you're still dodging bullets and mowing down enemies—but now there's this meta-layer of strategy that persists across play sessions. I found myself thinking about perk combinations even when I wasn't playing, planning my next credit farming session or considering how different combinations might help me tackle particularly challenging sections.

The progression pacing deserves special mention. It took me approximately 12 hours of gameplay to unlock both of my preferred high-tier perks, which felt perfectly balanced—long enough to feel earned, but not so grindy that it became frustrating. During that time, I naturally experimented with various lower-cost upgrades, which helped me understand my own preferences better. I initially thought I'd want the quick charge upgrade for special weapons, but after renting it for a few missions at 3,000 credits, I realized it didn't suit my rhythm.

From an industry perspective, this is how progression systems should work. Unlike predatory monetization schemes we've seen in other titles, 3jili's approach respects both the player's time and intelligence. The system provides short-term goals that keep you engaged mission to mission, while the long-term perks give you something substantial to work toward. I've probably replayed Operation Galuga three times more than I would have without this system, simply because experimenting with different perk combinations creates genuinely different experiences.

If there's one criticism I have, it's that the game doesn't do enough to explain the long-term value of saving for the premium perks early on. I wasted about 4,000 credits on temporary upgrades before realizing I should be saving for the game-changers. A simple tooltip suggesting players consider their long-term build earlier would help newcomers avoid my mistake.

Ultimately, what 3jili has created here is a masterclass in player engagement through meaningful customization. The system manages to add depth without complexity, provides tangible rewards for skill development, and creates personal investment in your character's capabilities. It's changed how I view progression systems in action games, and I find myself judging other titles against this new standard. If you're tired of static run-and-gun experiences or predatory monetization, discover how 3jili's approach can transform your gaming experience today—you might never look at the genre the same way again.