It really all depends on a couple of things if it's too grindy for your or not imo.

1. Luck of the seed you start on.

The seed I play on is stacked. Bosses are all fairly close to one another, it has tons of iron ladden swamps not far from the starting point, trader close to the starting point, etc. Just a great seed imo.

2. Where you place bases.

As close to the resources you are after as possible. Less travel between farming points and manufacturing points. Faster production. Also the use of a cart in this situation is easier when closer (also safer) and allows even more product to be carried.


If you get a bad seed, it's going to be painful. Making bases without a strategic plan can make things painful too.