Would be nice if they just made an upgraded portal recipe made from exotic/late game materials that lets you travel with metal, call it progression and just be done with it.

...Or a rare 'fuel' your existing portal consumes out of your inventory each time you travel with metal.

I understand the restriction, but at the same time having a tangible goal of lifting it would be fun, like how the Moder power eventually makes wind direction unnecessary. It would be a good compromise I think. Most people would opt not to cheat or use mods if they know there's something they can do in game for their character to eventually be able to do what like 95% of players want