Pocket Camp was the first AC game I played, and I really loved it. New events and goals are updated frequently, and they don't require you to pay anything, which is a really positive feature.
However, there are fortune cookies to get exclusive items, or leaf-ticket only items you can order, which can be a significant paywall to get some of the best/most interesting items.
I stopped playing Pocket Camp when New Horizons came along, and I really love NH, and find it so much better value for money. For some it's really easy to play Pocket Camp without making any RLC transactions, but I get quite tempted!
I started playing again a few days ago, and I'm enjoying it. The things that I like most about PC are the frequent updates, which keep the game interesting, and the design element. It's really a decorating game, where you have different areas that you can decorate and change as you collect more furniture.
There are other things I really like too though: fishing is much easier in PC, you can unlock new villagers with maps, building up friendship with villagers (which also builds up your own level), Happy Home Academy scores, and there are sign in bonuses.
All in all, I really like it, but there's probably a lot more to do when you're a lower level, which means you might be less tempted by the paywall? Either way, I know there are people who don't purchase anything with RLC, and I think there is plenty to do on PC without paying anything.