It's weird to say but so much of this game reminds me of FF16 somehow.
>The abilities that should be base-kit being locked behind SP
>Modifier+Button skills
>90% of exploration rewarding you with inane upgrade mats (99% in FF16)

The fact that SB is so much more concise helps, that and EVE costume rewards being enough motivation to explore.
If 16 rewarded exploration/side-quests with alt. costumes I doubt people would have complained so much