Random loot boxes, purchasing the chance of getting the thing you want to purchase, is a dumb concept. Removes player agency and replaces it with gambling/spending on stuff you don't want or need.
It at least sounds like you won't unlock abilities in this manner, so that's something, I guess.
The detrimental effects of always online are only acceptable if the game is actually doing something beneficial to the user experience that requires a constant connection. So far there's nothing.
Instead, there's potentially additional downsides, as it's possible they'll run checks that prevent users from modifying save files.
Which would mean that the reason (or at least one of the reasons) for this game being always online, would be to prevent players from cheating, in a single player game. To protect their microtransaction economy, in a single player game.
Removing good options, so they can make money from their bad feature. Which in addition, adds financial incentive to (further) bad game design. I.e. tedious filler garbage, sluggish progression.
Attempting to make more money by making a game more bad, seems bad to me.
Probably something that shouldn't be encouraged. Probably won't buy this game if it turns out like this.
