There is no real point to Conan Exiles, WoW, Destiny 2 or a myriad of online games. Player progression (any way a game measures it; new skills, better gear, more spells) IS the cheese that keeps the player mouse playing.

And not every progression mechanic is for everyone. Personally I despise raids in such games; doing the same thing against the same mobs over and over for a small chance at a piece of gear that might make my character some small percentage stronger than he already is. And yet some players live for raids. Yet, I don't post telling them how what they like is completely boring and repetitive because I feel it is.

And comparing an EA game to a game that saw its full release some time ago and has years to 'mature' is just sour grapes.

Long term building? Players do it all the time and use portals to transit from their main base to other places.

I could go on, but OP if you don't like the game then move on. Why come here to make arguments in support of your dissatisfaction that, for the most part, have no merit?