The PC Gamer writer calculates how demanding it is to unlock higher-level equipment in WARDOGS and concludes that the progression system requires an uncomfortably large time commitment. The issue matters because the game uses seasonal wipes, meaning players may spend much of a season grinding towards powerful gear before their progress is reset.

WARDOGS divides experience between six separate roles, and the XP requirements rise sharply beyond the early levels. Reaching level 20 in a role requires about 250,000 XP, while maxing one track takes roughly 3.48 million XP; the writer estimates that pursuing specific high-level unlocks can demand around 40–60 hours of focused play, potentially making the grind feel more like work than progression.