Thats fine, not every game is designed for every person that plays it to enjoy it. Its just not the kind of game for you.
Anyone that tells you to play it more is gaslighting due to Sunk Cost Fallacy. The experience late game is more or less the same as early game. The biggest difference being that you have stronger gear and can do more, just like any other game with progression. But the main gameplay and game loop remain the same, so if you aren’t enjoying that early on, you probably aren’t going to enjoy it later either.
The fact that this game is $20 is kinda criminal. It is a really good game.