• No reflink...
• No upfront cost, you need to buy cards to be able to play (be in) the game. You can sell them at any time on the SteemCity market.
• No deposit, again, you can use either STEEM to buy cards, or via Steem-Engine, buy SIM token that currently can also buy cards, and near the future, it will also be used as power to play on other game mechanics.

Its up to you how much you can spend to play the game. I know that there are some movements to help users start playing where you can get some free stuff (like homeless people card for example). I am myself trying to find a way to help, but you look quite convinced already =) so probably not much needed here. Let me know if otherwise.

The game is also in constant evolution/development from @gerber. So be sure to check the Discord channel for updates.