The mini game offers no benefit and is irrelevant in-game to character progress, which typically is the only real reason to complain about something being in the cash shop. However that does not mean it isn't a unique aspect to the game as a completely unrelated minigame.

And yes

Quote Originally Posted by Niwashi View Post
Anyone who would buy it finds it a meaningful enhancement to the game (even if it is a somewhat minor one). Such enhancements shouldn't cost extra after we're paying a subscription.
As much as I agree with you and feel like I deserve to have this minigame for free like others, I do not believe it is in any way possible for that to happen except for maybe waiting a year, so mog station is my only hope.