For the progression side of things it is really simple. Your character populates their list of craftable items by memorising two things. You memorise crafting materials by holding them at least once, and you also memorise crafting stations (or tiers of crafting stations) by standing in their area of influence at least once.

Every time the game detects that you have memorised all the prerequisites for an item, it will straight up tell you how to then make it and permanently add it to your list of craftables.

The combat it easier again. If you are moving there are very few things that can actually touch you.

It's more of an investment game. A lot of time can be spent hauling materials or hitting away at a metal vein, which anyone with two braincells can do.