I completely disagree on #1 and #3. The price needs to be obtainable for low levels, because that is when you are most likely to die or make better choices as you learn the game.
As for the others, it's a single player game, not a multiplayer competitive game. If you want to "exploit," it doesn't hurt anyone except yourself. If you find those mechanics unwelcome... don't do them? The crossword puzzle example above is an excellent analogy.
Let other people play how they want to. I daresay most players never even considered manipulating the game to that extent.
