It's the quest hub design from MMOs. Not sure that's a good thing. Another issue with the Grove is there a few stories there that would be better if the were pulled out of the grove. Yes, the Grove could use some streamlining to focus on the important story beats.
I'm sorry, but no? MMOs took the "quest hub" format from other games, and that would include table top. This is the closest thing to an actual town we have in Act I that isn't "Blighted" or just burnt down. The OP's issue is typically called "burn out", and it's why I'm not spending a lot of time going for 100 hours in EA, although I imagine I'll make that, and some. I'm testing things, trying out different approaches to the same things, and looking at other options and for things that may be broken, such as what happens if you're doing a playthrough as Astarion, and have to go to the swamp? Lots of running water, and it's not much of an issue now, since he can be left in the camp, but if he's the main character, you can't leave him in the camp for that quest.
