I put a few hours into it today. There's so much crap to be done (or that I'd like to do) that I try to think about all the things I can accomplish in each game day sorta like the first time I played Pikmin.
At the base, at the most routine levels, you farm. Farming leads to cash, cash leads to upgrading gear and inventory, new stuff allows for more effective adventuring, adventuring leads FARMING IN ADVENTURE AREAS.
HOLY ****, THIS GAME IS INSANE.
Then there's the cooking, smithing, monster befriending, and girl-stalking, which all supplement and enhance the "base" experience. OMG why is this game going unnoticed?