I guess I'm just built different.. I don't ever feel like I'm "grinding" I love exploring, finding new things, advancing my tech. I mean to be honest this game-play loop is like many others.. I'm not sure what you expected.

Yes you advance gear, food etc for the next biome then get new food, gear for the biome after that ... but exploring the biomes.. that to me is so much fun I love them all with the exception of Swamp. Which I tolerate just long enough to get out of.